Kensal Rise

The status of London terrace houses have historically been defined by their width.

At just over 4.5 meters width this house in Kensal Rise in north west London is, in common with its neighbours one of the smaller low status examples of the terrace house floor plan that can be found all over London.

The rebuilding of the house between the outside walls, the addition of a glazed side return and addition of a new roof top level aim at opening up a collection of formerly small spaces by connecting them up often in surprising ways.

Connections were formed horizontally by the removal of the staircase which typically fills the entrance halls of London houses, and its replacement by an open riser cantilevered stair providing immediate land rare long views through the depth of the house to the verdant newly planted garden at the back.

Vertically connections were formed by removing floors to create a double height living space, overlooked from a galleried stair case landing above.

The kitchen was positioned at the centre of the floor plan connecting up a front dining space and the rear living space. A host of further small interventions provide unexpected views within the house.