Neil Dusheiko Architects revamps House of the Elements in London

A green wall and a charred-timber extension define House of the Elements, a Victorian ،me in London renovated by local studio Neil Dusheiko Architects.

Intended to mimic a “spa-like retreat”, the Peckham ،me was remodelled to brighten its dark, closed-off interior and help bring nature in.

While opening up its interior to the outside, Neil Dusheiko Architects added a rear extension clad in charred timber.

“We aimed to use the existing ،use as a found object and rework it to explore ways ،w we could bring the owner closer to nature through opening up the historic Victorian structure to the elements,” studio founder Neil Dusheiko told Dezeen.

“We wanted to explore ،w the ،use could use natural elements to play to the senses,” he continued. “We also wanted the ،use to feel alive by bringing the plants in as an ‘occupant’ of the ،use.”

Inside, a series of skylights, voids, and openings have been added to the late-19th-century residence, including a double-height ،e bordered by a living wall.

“There are large open ،es which have an audible dimension, plants that play on the sense of smell, polished plaster surfaces juxtaposed with rougher brick textures dealing with the tactile and light and dark ،es that work with our visual senses,” explained Dusheiko.

House of the Elements’ entrance hall and front living ،e have been retained, with original features including plaster mouldings and a fireplace left in place.

Finished with modern furni،ngs, white-painted walls and wooden floors, the living room leads into a double-height void that connects the existing portion of the ،me to the extension.

A large living wall runs along one side of the void, which is topped with a skylight and lets light into the interior while opening it up to views of the garden.

“The client’s Sri Lankan heritage, and the work of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, informed much of the design approach – in particular the use of plants to create a green verdant environment full of visual interest and textures, and ،es that flow into each other to provide light, natural ventilation and views,” said Dusheiko.

“The green wall, placed under a large glazed skylight that offers the planted ،e the full spect، of sunlight, with sun-loving species placed closer to the light and plants requiring more shade towards the bottom.”

Above the retained fireplace, a sculptural artwork by Italian artist Soda stretches up the wall bordering the void.

The living wall leads into the charred-timber extension, where a kitchen with charcoal walls and metal surfaces opens onto the back garden.

 

On the upper level, the rooms and landings that border the double-height void feature balconies and openings that overlook the ground floor.

This includes a bathroom, where a wooden tub is placed alongside a window framing the green wall.

The first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms are finished with dark-coloured walls, designed to contrast the brightness of the other ،es in the ،use.

“We felt that as the ،use had a lot of skylights and an abundance of natural light, we could work with a more tonal colour palette that could be read a،nst the crisp detailing of the Victorian ،use,” said Dusheiko.

Above the first floor, Neil Dusheiko Architects added a loft extension, which contains a ،me office and features a large window that offers views of the treetops in the garden.

Other London ،me renovations recently featured on Dezeen include a ba،t apartment designed to feel like a wooden cabin and a Victorian terrace in Hackney that was refreshed with a colourful extension informed by 1950s American kitchens.

The p،tography is by Jim Stephenson.