Homeowners of Nappy Valley are turning their homes into stunning spaces thanks to the architects, interior designers and, in most cases, the planning authorities says Gillian Upton.
Architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris designed this multi-level apartment with its main social spaces for eating, living and working over half levels on either side of a double height space. Solid oak windows are set into deep reveals and large pre-cast balconies cantilever out from the elevation.
A signature showcase of Minale + Mann’s refined industrial aesthetic, with a steel and glass extension, concrete floors, bespoke steel-framed kitchen and leather strap lighting.
Chris Dyson Architecture completely renovated this early 1900s residence. The existing basement was extended laterally to create a large open-plan family living area over which rises a triple height atrium. Much of the accommodation is structured around this space, home to a dramatic feature staircase. Bedrooms and a generous roof terrace with far-reaching views occupy the top floor. A system of patinated bronze cladding panels and glass was used to distinguish the extension from the original brick structure. Also featured on the cover.
Granit Architecture won an International Design and Architecture Award last year for this new-build semi-detached house with basement and garden room. In a conservation area, bricks were used to mimic its Victorian and Georgian neighbours. With large open-plan spaces for entertaining, the design includes intimate spaces such as a spa, snug and treatment room.
This curved timber staircase gives warmth, a tactile finish and access to the first floor of a new build, two-storey dwelling arranged around three courtyards, designed by 31/44 Architects.
Dramatic oak staircase top-lit by the front window, leads upstairs in this East Dulwich house designed by 31/44 Architects.
“STAIRCASES HAVE GONE FROM BEING PURELY FUNCTIONAL TO BECOMING A FOCAL POINT. FLOATING TREADS, LIGHTING, OR GLAZED BALUSTRADES CREATE THE ILLUSION OF SPACE AND TRANSPARENCY”
QUALITAS
This cast concrete staircase combines highly engineered, factory-made polished concrete with handmade wrought iron balustrades, part of the house designed by Granit Architects.
Perforated timber treads, risers and balustrade let through light and air in a compact configuration, designed by Tsuruta Architects. Engraved email dialogues between client and architect appear on the stair stringer.
This futuristic floating kitchen from Hub Kitchens is one of their contemporary Italian designs. Called The Cut, it was designed for Record e Cucine, and costs from £40,000. The semi-matte finish of the units includes an extendable breakfast bar which can also rotate 90 degrees into a dining table, extending as far out as 2m, to make it a practical dining space. The metal ceiling drawers are in matt ice white.
Futuristic-looking swimming pool in a Wimbledon villa by Dyer Grimes Architecture. The full-length pool occupies a double-depth basement and has a retractable cover. The tiled wall panels are fitted with LED strips for a dramatic effect.
Eight split-level apartments form this project by architects Alford Hall Monaghan Morris, each with an open-plan arrangement of living, kitchen and study space, across three levels. It scooped the WAF Future Project Residential award 2016.
A bespoke fireplace is part of a refurbishment of a 1950s Dulwich house by RDA Architects. The same architects created the kitchen diner in another Dulwich home, with an island housing a five-burner cooker and glass balustraded stairs running down to a glass door to the garden.