Planning application London Kensington - Studiorés - Renovation interior design South Kensington (Holland Park) London

Kensington Townhouse

Extension and Renovation of a Listed Georgian Home

A thoughtful and sensitive design approach has been adopted in both the extension and internal reconfiguration of this Grade II listed townhouse facing a late Georgian square with private communal garden off Kensington High Street near Holland Park.

The house consists of two Georgian houses that were merged in the early twentieth century when a large Edwardian style rear extension was added. The house was lived in by an Argentinian banker in the 1930s who altered many of the windows to allow for radiators as his wife found the house too cold. In the sixties the property was purchased by the then-Countess of Sutherland whose architect further modernised the building. The project started the house was in a very poor condition after several years of neglect.

Great consideration has been given to restoring where possible many of the 1820s features including reintroducing the original French doors on the front elevation facing the square. The internal details including floor finishes, skirtings, cornices and stair details are kept in a traditional style in keeping with the character of the original houses. On the ground floor the layout of the house was reordered with particular attention given to the kitchen which now forms the centre of modern day living in the house.

At the rear three extensions have been added. Two side extensions serve as a dining room and circulation space respectively on each side of the Edwardian extension. A third brick bay window was added to the kitchen as a breakfast and coffee area overlooking the garden.

The brick extension and timber side extensions have been designed using a contemporary architectural language that echoes the classical repertoire of the group of regency terrace houses the townhouse forms a part of. The approach seeks to refers to the tradition of Soane, Schinkel, Lutyens and Plecnik.

Konrad was senior architect throughout, from inception to completion of the house in 2023, whilst under contract to Lab Architects Ltd and led the project team which included Planning and Heritage consultants from Montagu Evans, M&E and Structural Engineers and other consultants. The project was completed by WM Construction Ltd. The property is currently being furnished.

The result of the careful and considered design process is a building that seeks to preserve and enhance the historic character of the property by reversing unsympathetic later alterations and reinstating historic features.

The refurbishment has provided the opportunity to reinstate original features such as the windows on the first floor front elevation, aspects of the original plan form and architectural features which are appropriate to the historic character of the property.  The rear extensions are a light touch addition to improve the accommodation with better circulation and provide space for modern day living.