Loggias of Lewisham

A loft extension imagined as part of a contemporary grand palazzo, transforming the roof of an ornate, double fronted property set on the edge of an old brick quarry. Two brightly coloured, symmetrical colonnaded bay widows now enjoy views across the London skyline. One containing a bedroom, the other a bathroom and dressing suite. A zinc swoop between contains the new staircase.

The new roof level is the first phase in a whole house future-proofing strategy, with a two storey rear extension with matching colonnade and new garden access planned as a second stage.

The project was developed in close collaboration with the clients, reflecting both their requirements and their extensive inspirations: incorporating castles, classical compositions, Italian urbanism, secret gardens and decorative tiles and brickwork; plus a real enthusiasm for the details and quirks of the existing property. The colour choices developed naturally through the process as we made different visuals as the design progressed, using the client references as a starting point. These references regularly included a balance of bold and soft, earthy colours and moments of structure balanced with moments of playfulness- from Italian frescos to Toulouse-Lautrec paintings. We wanted the colours of the new roof extension to pick up on these: to be bold, playful and contrasting, while at the same time appropriate to the tones of the existing property.

Internally, the extension forms a new main bedroom suite, giving the parents of a growing family their own floor - climbing up into the loft can be like climbing up into a different world: be it a treehouse, lighthouse, castle tower, airship etc. The space includes spacious sleeping area, a luxurious open plan bathing and dressing room and a compact WC between. The bed, bath and shower are all positioned to respond to the panoramic view, with the small side window picking up the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Concealed pocket doors linking the spaces allow the full width of the property to be appreciated: A circular mirror above the the dressing table at one side reflects the new circular window in the gable at the other.

The two halves are expressed as separate bays, reducing the overall impact while still achieving the required volume. Between the bays, the swoop of the ceiling up to a large roof light adds drama to the circulation. The bays are not overtly contemporary, constructed from simple painted timber to provide a visual link with the existing sash windows below. The bold red columns add layering and provide a sense of enclosure even when the sliding glazing is fully drawn back, forming a pair of open loggias overlooking the garden. The rotated square columns reflecting the dog-tooth brickwork of the existing eaves underneath. Timber construction, woodfibre insulation, clay plaster and recyclable zinc cladding form a low carbon strategy and improve air quality.

The project offers a refreshing take on a common typology, demonstrating that lofts don’t always need to be plain slate or metal boxes: the design is bold and expressive, while at the same time delicate and contextual, picking up on the character of the clients, the house and the wider area.