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In the heart of Waltham Forest, northeast London, a Victorian terrace undergoes a substantial transformation, courtesy of THISS Studio. The East London practice breathes new life into the historic home, turning a cramped and dark family dwelling into a light-filled, functional space that exudes warmth and character.
At its core lies a bespoke kitchen-diner, the heart of the home. A metre rise in ceiling height, achieved by removing the original floor and leveraging an underfloor void, opens up the space significantly. Three oversized sash windows flood the room with natural light, while a cantilevered dining bench reinforces the connection between indoors and outdoors.
The kitchen material palette proudly wears natural tones and textures, crafted locally from FSC-certified pine timber – a testament to THISS Studio's dedication to sustainability. Eco-friendly touches abound, with recycled paper-based acoustic panels and terracotta tiles incorporated throughout, accompanied by a mint-green shelving unit and floral light fixtures that lend a pop of colour and character.
Connectivity extends beyond the kitchen, where the garden terracotta tiles flow seamlessly, forming a "disco ball patio." A playfully curved aluminium canopy, laser-cut from recycled materials, shields the south-facing facade and douglas fir sash windows from the elements.
Inside, the original sitting room, once a kitchen, is reclaimed for its intended purpose, painted a soft, calming butter yellow. A compact toilet and utility room integrate cleverly into the central plan, tucked away just off the hallway.
The clients toast to THISS Studio's vision, marveling at the transformed family rooms that serve as an office and living area, the spacious, sociable kitchen, and the breathtaking views of the garden and trees through the dazzling, oversized windows.
Though the specific sustainable strategies employed in this project aren't revealed, it's clear that THISS Studio's commitment to minimal carbon impact informs their every decision, ensuring that the building's past is preserved while charting an eco-conscious course for its future.
The bespoke kitchen-diner, revitalizing the heart of the transformed Victorian terrace, encapsulates THISS Studio's dedication to sustainable interior-design. With eco-friendly materials like FSC-certified pine timber, recycled paper-based acoustic panels, and terracotta tiles, the home and garden lifestyle seamlessly merges inside, promoting a harmonic balance between indoor and outdoor spaces.
