Camberwell House

A full home refurbishment and loft extension for a family and their design studio

This project underwent a few phases. With some pride, we assisted a young family, unable to afford a single phase scheme, to design and build their home and studio over a number of years.

Blessed with a double fronted Victorian Villa and central staircase, it presented an obvious opportunity to extend the stair to the loft, build a mansard and create two generous spaces either side of a new landing. A wide dormer above the new staircase created the necessary headroom and with 2 additional rear dormers , 3 small roof lights and 3 further roof windows on the front, it created a wonderful light-filled studio. Two parts of the same business occupied an area each and whilst sound insulation was paramount, it was also important to feel physically and emotionally together. As such, we designed internal windows with period paneling and polished plaster walls and this complemented the reclaimed partially glazed doors and the feeling within the rest of the house.

Locating a bathroom beyond the landing doubled as the studio’s material library. As it was also important to future proof, we coordinated an appropriate structural solution to transfer the loads to the external walls and allow for an easy conversion to two further bedrooms or an open-plan master bedroom and bathroom.

The remainder of the house was refurbished a year later where RVN provided a full interior architecture and garden design service and assisted with the ongoing purchase of fine and decorative arts.