Lab Architects

Roehampton This contemporary, new build development was completed by Lab Architects in 2019. In an area of already diverse residential stock, soon to be transformed by the Alton Area Regeneration Plan, our design principles for this scheme were based on considerations of how we can continue the innovative approach to designing modern living spaces in Roehampton. The site had previously been part of the neighbouring primary school and known as the old school keeper’s house, however, no longer being required by the school, plans were approved to demolish the existing building and sensitively develop a row of three terraced houses comprising six duplex flats in total. The new development offers the benefit of loft living or garden living to residents, with the accessible ground floor apartments addressing the garden, while the flats above benefit from a dramatic double height living space and their own private entrance at ground floor.

London Snow House At Lab, we see confident and positive relationships with our clients as a foundation to the successful delivery of beautiful projects, and London Snow House is no exception. Over the course of this project we developed a strong and collaborative relationship with the clients, as they entrusted us with redesigning a home for their family of six. The property is a late 19th Century Chelsea townhouse fronted with white painted stucco and a balcony with French doors at the first floor. The brief included a basement excavation to create additional living space including a family room and additional bedroom, whilst the lower ground floor was extended and reconfigured. The redesign of this floor provides a large, open-plan kitchen and dining space, divided only by elegant Crittall-style doors to differentiate the utility room. Such modern interventions are integrated with the existing house by way of a contemporary oak staircase which runs from the basement to ground floor, and through a complete refurbishment of the existing house where care was taken to retain or match original features. Lab Architects were also commissioned for the interiors works for this project and we worked closely with the client to create a unique and enviable scheme. The master bedroom features a bespoke wardrobe with a walnut interior and velvet upholstered doors, whilst the master bathroom boasts a roll top bath, hexagonal marble tiles and brass accents. The children’s bathroom provided the opportunity to create a bold pattern with fun, bespoke tiles, and a palette of dark greens and greys embrace the reduced level of daylight in the basement bedroom, creating a cosy retreat. Overall, the interiors have been thoughtfully composed to reflect the clients’ personalities whilst being respectful to the heritage of the original house.

Boltons House We redeveloped this large and handsome family dwelling, working closely with our client who took full advantage of our skills through the complex basement planning process to maximise its full potential. Through a careful redesign, we ensured that every floor of the mid-19th Century property had its own particular draw and appeal, but also that any charm already apparent within the existing layouts was not lost.

Monochrome House This exquisite refurbishment and contemporary subterranean extension to a Stucco fronted 1860’s Chelsea Villa, was undertaken to enhance, extend and provide a monochromatic background to the life of art collectors. Located within the Little Bolton’s Conservation Area, the design sought to faithfully restore the classic proportions and decorative qualities of the original upper floors, while taking the bold step to switch to a thoroughly minimal aesthetic below. The manipulation of light and shade through carefully considered apertures, which artfully pierce the lower volumes, create the illusion that these spaces are not underground after all. The rigorously restrained palate of black and white stone, plaster and glass, and the well thought through reorganization of the flow and order of spaces converge into a calm, almost monastic sequence of spaces, divided, or not depending on preference, by a sophisticated sequence of joinery and pivot or pocket doors.

Alphabet House What lies behind the Victorian façade, typical within this conservation area of Fulham known as the ‘Alphabet Streets’ is a thoroughly considered, full refurbishment and subterranean excavation. While great respect was given to the typology of the house, the ground floor was thoroughly re-planned and extended. Vistas from the formal double reception rooms in the front of the house, which included retained and reinstated traditional features, continue through to the expansive minimal kitchen, onwards and uninterrupted to the far wall of the garden, merging the perception of interior and exterior spaces. Construction and materiality are at the heart of everything we do. From a construction perspective a full house basement excavation was undertaken to achieve exceptionally tall floor to ceiling heights and carefully located light-wells. Walk on glass together with open tread stairs enable as much light into the interior spaces as possible. Materially a sophisticated palette of, parquet oak floors, internal Crittall partitions geometric tiles and exposed brickwork bring texture to the scheme which is wholly complimented by bespoke joinery and beautiful furnishings selected by the client.