On a quiet road in southeast London stands a renovated Victorian coach house owned by two architects, Hannah and Neill Campbell. The property had previously been used as a sculptor’s studio before being bought and sensitively converted by them. From the outset, they made a conscious decision to leave as much history on show as possible. Relics of the horse stalls, carriage doors and beams had to integrate with and complement the modern interventions needed to make it into a family home.

The existing fabric of the building is made up of a rich jigsaw of original materials and textures. To differentiate between old and new, Hannah and Neill designed  the new elements in the house, like the staircase, floor structure and wardrobes in a single material, birch plywood. UP suggested using maple-veneered birch plywood for the cabinetry as it looks very similar to birch, but is much harder wearing and better suited to heavily used kitchen furniture.

The optimal layout was clear from the outset. Two beautiful original timber posts that once denoted the horse stalls were retained and the island sits between but doesn’t touch them, making clear what’s old and what’s new. The sink and tall units are arranged against the wall. Open shelving on the wall, island and end of the full height cabinetry stops the kitchen from feeling too formal. Hugely practical, they also allow for the pops of colour to come from the clients’ own objects; a constantly changing and eclectic array of herbs and spices, books, pictures and ceramics.

White Corian and ply worktops bounce as much light as possible from the fully glazed roof deep into the heart of the space. An unpainted cement render splashback behind the sink completes the elegant and functional look. The result is a materially simple, unpretentious kitchen scheme that sits in complete harmony within this historic space.

Architecture /interior design / joinery design by hannahcampbelldesign.co.uk