A photographer's home, New Malden.

The starting point for the design was to focus on the kitchen as the heart of the home. Kris is a food photographer, previously a chef, and cooking in a beautifully lit space was key to the brief.

As you enter the home you are drawn through to views of the kitchen with garden beyond. Extending to the rear and opening up the interior space creates a generous, open plan area. Locating the kitchen at the back of this space facing outwards enhances the connection to the generous rear garden while cooking.

Light and shadows change through the day and year. A side window provides light to an armchair, an overhead slot rooflight runs the width of the kitchen allowing light into the plan while minimising solar gain and a rear sliding door with cedar shading and translucent curtains connects to the garden while shading from afternoon sun.

A utility room and desk have been brought to the central area, where the desk tucks away with sliding doors to open up or divide from the kitchen as desired. The under-floor heating and concrete tiling optimise energy efficiency.

The contemporary glazing is set in the extension with a slim, dark grey brick, framing the kitchen interior and garden views. SBA worked with Barnfield Gardens on the landscaping.  Photographs by Karen Barratt photographer and Sophie Bates Architects.