Project: Southgate Road House
Architecture: Urban Projects Bureau
Team: Matthew Jeniec, Nicola Barrington-Leach, Alex Warnock-Smith
Main Contractor: Optimal Build Ltd
Structural Engineers: MBOK
Location: Hackney, London, England, United Kingdom
Year: 2023
Photo Credits: Kilian O’Sullivan
Southgate Road House underwent a transformation by Urban Projects Bureau, turning a dark, dilapidated rear wing of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse in Hackney’s De Beauvoir Conservation Area into a light-filled, contemporary family home. Moreover, the intervention balances modern living needs with careful heritage preservation.
Contemporary Rear Extension
First, the team removed the old rear addition and replaced it with a dark grey aluminium volume. They precisely calibrated panel sizes and joint positions to produce a sleek, cohesive façade that contrasts with the original brickwork and twelve-pane timber sash windows. As a result, the new kitchen, dining, and living area feel both spacious and connected to the garden.
Playful Side Wing Renovation
Meanwhile, the former Pewter Workshop at the side became a bright playroom. Opening it into the new rear extension further unifies the ground floor, yet preserves the historic layout’s proportions. Consequently, family routines flow naturally between spaces.
Heritage Collaboration and Restoration
Throughout the project, UPB maintained an ongoing dialogue with the Hackney Planning Authority and collaborated with historian Charles Brooker. They surveyed every window, distinguishing authentic sashes from later replacements, then reinstated double-glazed timber windows matching the original dimensions. Finally, they repointed the brick façade and enhanced the front garden, ensuring both the house’s character and the Conservation Area’s integrity remain intact.
By weaving contemporary design into a sensitive restoration, Southgate Road House demonstrates how historic properties can adapt gracefully to modern family life.
