Will Gamble Architects Adds A Minimal Addition To Burnt House In London

The owners asked for a new light-filled kitchen and dining space with a physical connection to the garden, so the residence has been cleverly extended to reflect this desire. The extension is modeled in the style of a Japanese tea house and features a charred wood window seat and a grid-like glass facade inspired by traditional Japanese shoji screens—full height glazed screens in a lattice arrangement with black thin steel glazing bars. The larch boards have been carefully burnt, hence the name ‘Burnt House’, as a reference to the 18th century Japanese technique used to preserve the timber, giving it a rich jet-black appearance. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer views onto the garden and beyond, creating a connection from the inside to the outside. The result is a light-filled volume characterized by a dynamic play of light and shadow over the course of the day. At night, the screens glow like a Japanese lantern.

The interior design sees the employment of wood and concrete used throughout, which creates a muted background and allows the bespoke kitchen cabinetry to stand out. In collaboration with interior design practice Smith & Butler Design, the architects have also refurbished the home’s inside with a bar clad in green leather—a sophisticated touch that reflects the visual aesthetic of the residence.