When principal designer Hamish Vincent Design approached Architecture for London for the second time to collaborate on a client project in Islington, the chemistry was set to produce a standout home. Set in the Canonbury Conservation Area, on the southern side of St Paul’s Road, this Neo Georgian home forms part of a terrace of nine post-war rebuilt houses. When the client approached HVD to help source their dream home in Islington, it became obvious that this house was the perfect fit.

The client was drawn to pretty Georgian architecture but was advised that a typical listed Islington townhouse would present significant constraints when attempting to achieve their desired open-plan layout. This non-listed property, with the external façade of a Georgian townhouse, therefore offered the perfect solution.

The client’s brief required a larger living space on the ground floor with an open-plan kitchen, dining and reception area, and a new ground floor WC. They were passionate about natural materials, something that aligns with the ethos at Hamish Vincent Design and Architecture for London. The house extension and refurbishment feature an arched doorway and a cantilevered stair that expands upon the Georgian revival style of the original property.

At its heart, a bespoke sweeping staircase opens up a striking three-story void, the anchor for the design that balanced bold architectural gestures with quiet moments of calm. Clayworks plaster walls bounce light softly across organic forms and subtle arches, while solid oak, douglas fir and natural stone root the space in honesty and sustainability - a philosophy central to both the client and the design team.

On the first floor lies a principal bedroom with an ensuite that utilises the sweeping outer curve of the staircase which also includes a spa shower with steam function. Opposite is a flexible second bedroom come study. The staircase continues to the second floor, where both Hamish Vincent Design and Architecture for London cleverly designed a third bedroom along with a wet room. This was achieved by re-working and dropping the levels from the ground floor up.

This house extension and refurbishment in Islington features an arched doorway and a cantilevered stair that expands upon the Georgian revival style of the original property. Our client’s brief required a larger living space on the ground floor with an open-plan kitchen, dining and reception area, and a new ground floor WC too.

A new bespoke stair features douglas fir treads and stone detailing. By repositioning the stair, we created a generous double height space at the entrance to the house.A study was created in the existing loft area of the property. New Velux windows in the existing roof slope provide natural light to this space. The floor levels throughout the house were adjusted to achieve acceptable ceiling heights to all floors, whilst maintaining the existing roofline.

The continuous material palette of lime plaster, marble, timber and brick unifies the interior spaces.

The property lies within the Canonbury Conservation Area, on the southern side of St Paul’s Road. It is part of a terrace of nine post-war rebuilt houses. The design was completed in collaboration with Hamish Vincent Design, who were also responsible for the FF&E.