GO GRAPHIC: a playful take on a home extension

Architecture studio CAN transformed a two-storey Edwardian home for his own family in South London, drawing on graphic shapes, bright colours and texture to transform the property.

The renovation and extension project, named Mountain View, breathes new life into an old family home in London, partially inspired by the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride in Disneyland California.

 

Home regeneration

Rather than building a standard extension as is the go-to for London homes built in this era, architect Mat Barnes, founder of CAN architecture firm, decided to go another direction with his own property, centred around this rear extension, the project was designed to create a large, open plan living and dining space with direct access into the garden.

Rather than demolishing the full rear walls, sections of this area remain, adding texture and interest to the newly created open plan space. While the living areas sit below, the newly configured upstairs houses four bedrooms, including a master en-suite, and an additional bathroom. Throughout the home, colourful elements catch the eye, in the form of tiling, painted architectural structures and fun art pieces.

A playful take

The new extension moves even further from the norm, with bright vibrant colours such as red, warm orange and bright blue creating a playful space that truly stands out from the crowd. In retaining the original architectural features in the monochromatic royal blue living room, a classic family space is transformed with this imaginative play on colour and texture, an element which follows through into the kitchen space by way of tiles, bright tones and in the kitchen counters and in-built island created from recycled chopping boards and milk bottle tops.

The playful element continues on into the back garden, with a fake mountain made of foamed aluminium perched above the thin glazed extension, creating a true focal point that’s unlike anything else.

Source: Dezeen