A Victorian terrace by Victoria Park restored and reworked for contemporary family life.

A wooden staircase with metal balusters leads up to a landing decorated with two ceramic vases, one pink with white drips and the other white. Behind the staircase are artwork on the wall, including a black-and-white portrait of a woman and a colorful poster of a helicopter.
A living room with built-in bookshelves on either side of a white fireplace. The bookshelves are filled with books and decorative items. A flat-screen TV is mounted above the fireplace. The floor is wooden, and there is a rug in front of the fireplace. A framed picture leans against the wall on the right side of the fireplace, and various decorative items are on the shelves.
Minimalist interior dining space with a long light wood table and three matching wooden chairs with woven seats. The white wall features a small abstract painting in shades of blue and white. A large, textured paper or fabric light fixture hangs above the table.

Penshurst House is the refurbishment and restoration of a 2,045 sq ft Victorian terraced house arranged over three floors, located next to Victoria Park in Hackney, London. The project transforms a neglected terrace house into a contemporary family home while preserving and enhancing the character of the original building. The brief sought to accommodate family life, the clients’ collection of pottery and art, and a stronger connection to the garden.

The project faced significant challenges from the outset. The existing house had suffered from rising damp, water ingress, structural movement and failing windows, requiring extensive repair and restoration before the new brief could be realised.

Kitchen with dark green marble countertop and backsplash, a sink with a modern faucet, and two white shelves holding various bowls, plates, vases, and glasses.
Wooden beams on a ceiling with skylights allowing natural light to enter.
Modern kitchen with green marble countertops and white cabinets, open to a living area with a staircase and person sitting in window bay.

The principal challenge was transforming a dark, fragmented lower ground floor into a light-filled living space. Excavation and underpinning created greater volume, improved performance and a direct connection to the garden, reinforced by a full-width extension with a large picture window. Rooflights and an exposed Douglas fir structure shape the new spaces, while a fabric-first approach, upgraded glazing, underfloor heating and thermal mass deliver a restored Victorian home balancing heritage, contemporary living and sustainability.

Interior of a bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub, a wooden stool with a potted purple plant, beige tiled floors, and white cabinets with diamond-shaped woven panels on the doors.
A cozy bedroom featuring a white bed with a pillow and book, a circular side table with books, a large forest landscape tapestry on the wall, a doorway leading to another room with a window and patterned curtain, and decorative items like a vase with flowers and framed art.
View of a small outdoor garden with plants and trees, courtyard paving, a brick wall, and a wooden fence adjacent to a multi-story brick building with windows and a glass door.


Photography: Luke Hayes