Monmouth Road | Charles Tashima Architecture

Our proposal for the renovation of this Grade II Listed property sought to enhance the character of the main dwelling through the refurbishment and introduction of details and materials that were in keeping with its listed status.

The design balances the historic fabric of the building with a contemporary style and standard of living, whilst contributing to the unique heritage of the property. Our approach was deliberately responsive and adaptive to the existing structure and details. This was important not only due to its historic status but also our belief and interest in maintaining and celebrating the past, while finding solutions for today.

In the rear garden, the house has the fortune of having what was a artist studio built probably in the first half of the 20th Century. This space had fallen into disuse - for what must have been for over thirty years. The building was a sight to be seen with no roof and nature finding its way in.

After clearing things out, we excavated a full floor below and added a new balcony to provide more room. The design was for a multi-purpose space for working, playing, entertaining and accommodating guests. Despite being exposed to the elements, we were able to salvage some patinated red-brown timber panelling. At the start of the work, this was carefully removed, restored and re-used to create a dramatic and expressive full-height wall in which we integrated shallow shelving for artwork, photographs and objects. We kept the materials simple as a way of emphasising the generous and well shaped volume - Douglas fir for the flooring and beams, a blackened steel balustrade and painted wood.