Hartley House – ADC

A Victorian terrace in Waltham Forest, northeast London, has been transformed by THISS Studio into a light-filled and functional family home.

In reconfiguring the ground floor, the East London practice eschewed filling in part of the inhabited site, despite being originally approached to design a side-return extension. Instead, THISS Studio proposed a plan focused on optimising the existing layout, responding to the client’s desire for a spacious kitchen, improved links to the garden, and flexible work areas.

“Building bigger does not always mean you’ll have a space with functionality and quality,” said Sash Scott, founder of THISS Studio.

“We worked with our clients to understand what they really needed as a family, which was actually better, more usable space. In rethinking the home as a team, we have saved a huge amount of carbon and allowed our clients’ budget to be redirected into quality, more sustainable materials and fittings that means their home has a sense of beauty, and they will love being there for many years to come.”

The centrepiece of the home is a bespoke kitchen-diner. By removing the original floor and utilising an underfloor void, the architects achieved a ceiling height increase of one metre, enhancing the sense of openness. Three oversized sash windows introduce natural light, while a cantilevered dining bench extends towards the garden, reinforcing the visual and physical connection between indoors and outdoors.

Locally crafted from FSC-certified pine timber (Read architect at THISS Studio Dan Pope’s ‘Can we trust in timer?’ here) the kitchen material palette embraces natural tones and textures. Recycled paper-based acoustic panels and terracotta tiles have been employed, while a mint-green shelving unit and floral light fixtures add colour and character.

Connectivity continues into the garden, where terracotta tiles extend from the interior, forming a circular patio dubbed the ‘disco ball patio.’ Here, a playfully curved aluminium canopy, laser-cut from recycled material, shades the south-facing façade and protects the douglas fir sash windows from the elements.

Elsewhere, the reconfiguration returned the original sitting room, previously used as a kitchen, to its intended purpose. Painted in soft butter yellow, this space now functions as a quiet living area or study. A compact toilet and utility room has also integrated into the central plan, being found just off the hallway.

“The two front rooms have a really beautiful feel and so much more practical space, serving now as an office and family room,” said the clients.

“The kitchen, previously very boxed in and dark, is now light, airy and uplifting. We really wanted it to be a sociable and convivial hub, a place where we could cook as well as socialise. A built-in bench seat allows for a generously-sized table, surrounded by views of the garden and trees through the beautiful windows. The natural timber and wall and ceiling panels add warmth and character.”