Courtyard House - Putney, London

Sophie Bates Architects has been appointed to design an extension to a locally listed Regency house in south west London. The house is to be completely refurbished and extended to increase the floor area by 140sqm. Key to the brief was to create a home that flowed and linked the ground floor and basement to allow the family to be more connected. Making a connection back to views of the stunning 30m garden became key to the design concept.

A low-level courtyard surrounded by glass is set into the basement and links living and bedrooms around this secluded part of the garden, with shallow steps drawing you out and up into the garden. Connecting the ground floor to the basement is a contemporary stair, detailed to contrast the period features. The stair opens up into an occupied corridor with seating, desks, shelving and art that is intended to allow living in this part of the house as another space.

On the ground floor and in reference to the existing form of the building, two boxes intersect to form a large open plan kitchen and dining area. Roof lights increase ceiling height, allowing space to read the original openings and define the internal spaces. The largely glazed north-facing living space floods light inside. Stone and aluminium cladding provide a crisp but warm contrast to the old gault brickwork. Internal remodelling of the ground floor allows views through to the garden from the front door, with hidden study, utility and powder rooms.

Internally the first floor is opened up to form a master suite and stairwell to the hidden loft bedroom above. All the joinery is to be designed by Sophie Bates Architects. A rich palette of interior finishes is to provide warmth and detail to the open plan, contemporary design.