British studio Will Gamble Architects extended and modernized a Victorian house in South London using curved shapes and a palette of natural materials to create a calm and minimalist aesthetic.
The clients – a married couple looking to make their forever home – asked Will Gamble Architects to oversee the transformation of a semi-detached house in Putney into a peaceful retreat.
Architectural firm Proctor & Shaw initially produced the planning drawings, before Gamble’s studio was appointed to develop a comprehensive interior design service throughout the house, including technical drawings and revised floor plans for the upper floors.
To meet the client’s request to increase the space, a rear and attic extension was added.
“We wanted to maximize space and light as much as possible through clever design solutions,” architect Will Gamble told Dezeen.
“This was particularly important on the upper floors, where the brief called for four bedrooms and three bathrooms that the conventional layout could not accommodate.”
Gamble applied an approach he described as “soft minimalism” throughout the interiors, using a limited palette of textural materials to ensure consistency across all floors.
“Soft minimalism is defined by curved lines, soft tonal shades, natural materials and carefully arranged spaces,” said the architect. “This aesthetic allowed us to deliver a highly bespoke project tailored to our clients’ needs.”
Arched alcoves, curved walls and a custom staircase with semi-circular landings, circular spindles and a turned oak rail contribute to an aesthetic defined by subtle geometry.
Muted colors including warm whites and soft pinks provide a soft and coherent backdrop, while more textured materials including pippy oak and richly veined marble add personality to some spaces.
The new staircase was illuminated by an oval roof light, which continues the theme of soft, rounded shapes. The skylight casts natural light deep into the floor plan and is openable to allow chimney ventilation to naturally cool the interior.
Bespoke joinery brings functionality and visual interest to rooms including the master bedroom, where a pippy oak headboard provides extra storage and also covers the en-suite shower room.
A bespoke bed and headboard with integrated wardrobes are positioned in the middle of the room to maximize the available space. The en suite bathroom has a pair of marble sinks on either side of the shower.
Pippy oak was used elsewhere in the house for furniture including bedside tables and built-in storage. Distinctive knots and clusters of knots stand out and at the same time complement other natural materials.
“The pippy oak ‘cat’s paw’ pattern adds decadence to an otherwise muted material palette,” added Gamble. “We used this unique material in key areas to help create a hierarchy across spaces throughout the project.”
As part of the renovation project, the historic structure of the building was thermally upgraded to reduce energy consumption and create a more comfortable environment. A home automation system has also been incorporated, minimizing visible light switches and contributing to a clean, minimalistic interior.
According to Gamble, the owners were interested in “achieving a high quality finish driven by an acute attention to detail”, which resulted in a highly bespoke project tailored to their exact requirements.
Will Gamble established his London studio in 2018 after working for Farrells and Francis Philips Architects. The office specializes in sensitive retrofitting of existing buildings through contemporary architectural interventions.
The studio’s previous projects include a house built in the ruins of a 17th-century parchment factory in Northamptonshire and a glazed extension to a Georgian house in Leicestershire.