Altenburg Gardens
Location
Clapham Common, South West London (SW11)
Project
Altenburg Gardens, SW11
Status
Completed
Type
Loft conversion and wrap-around rear extension, designed to support growing family life
Services
Architecture, light-improvement and restructuring of a Victorian London townhouse
This residential renovation in SW11 involved the comprehensive refurbishment and reconfiguration of a Victorian terraced house in Battersea, alongside a new ground floor extension and loft conversion to create additional space for family life. The project sought to improve the functionality and flow of the existing home while retaining and enhancing its Victorian character.
At ground floor level, the layout was carefully rationalised to establish a more open and intuitive sequence of spaces, creating a stronger connection between the kitchen, dining and family areas and extending the living experience towards the garden. A new rear extension provides additional volume and daylight, while bespoke oak joinery acts as a consistent architectural element throughout the interior.
The warm natural timber is balanced by a restrained palette of finishes and considered detailing, creating spaces that feel contemporary yet comfortable and grounded in the character of the original property.
The loft conversion was designed to transform a previously unused roof space into a dedicated child-oriented living area and bedroom. Rather than imposing a new layout onto the existing structure, the design works carefully with the geometry and constraints of the roof, making use of smaller spaces, corners and changes in ceiling height.
Integrated storage and bespoke elements maximise the available footprint while creating a playful and distinctive environment suited to a growing child.
The result is a cohesive family home in which each intervention responds to the opportunities and constraints of the existing Victorian fabric. From the reconfigured ground floor and garden connection to the carefully considered loft space, the project maximises the potential of the property without compromising its character, creating a series of warm, adaptable and highly personal spaces designed around the rhythms of family life.
Photography — Chris Snook