Text description of the architects. CAN has extended a terraced house in Stoke Newington, London, creating a vibrant and functional home for a young family. With an emphasis on natural materials and a unique design approach, this renovation transforms the once separate main floor into an open plan kitchen and dining area that flows out to the garden through a custom curved window and oversized glass door. The clients wanted a home that reflected their growing family and utilized natural materials. CAN's expertise brought this vision to life, creating a nature-inspired space with a close connection to nature.
The previous floor plan consisted of a series of disjointed rooms with a sloping conservatory overlooking the garden. CAN redesigned the ground floor floor plan by introducing a glulam framed extension to the side and rear, allowing for a complete redesign of the living, kitchen and dining areas. With floor-to-ceiling hemp fiber curtains and Douglas fir shutters, the architects incorporated flexibility into the open design, allowing clients to open and close rooms as their spatial needs change. The client's brief included references to tranquil forests, which is directly reflected in the incorporation of sustainable materials, a wood-based interior palette and a meadow planted roof. The striking green wood structure adds visual interest and warmth to the space, providing a low carbon solution that reflects the client's desire for sustainability.
The core of the house is now a light-filled kitchen, a space that embodies the unique, nature-inspired spirit of the project. The kitchen is a custom build and features a roof light supported by bolted beams and a combination of IKEA cabinets paired with bespoke fronts designed by CAN and made from chiselled oak boards stained with rich, dark toned linseed oil are. The cabinet design demonstrates CAN's growing product capabilities and further establishes itself as a multidisciplinary studio. CAN's interventions include lowering the floor level in the extension by 20 centimeters, creating a feeling of openness without dramatically altering the structure. Another outstanding element is the playful use of the floor covering. CAN alternated different colored oak planks to create a repeating striped pattern, giving the space a rich, tactile quality that harmonizes with the overall earthy palette. The connection to the garden was a central aspect of the design. The west-facing garden, framed by a custom curved glass window, shifts the focus outside, offering views of the lush greenery while flooding the interior with natural light. Overhead glazing further enhances this effect and allows light to stream into the room from above, further enhancing the open and airy feel of the extension.
CAN's commitment to implementing its customers' low-impact requirements is reflected in its choice of materials. Corrugated hemp fiber exterior cladding weathers beautifully over time, changing color and texture. Breathable lime paint and recycled wood terrazzo kitchen countertops are other examples that highlight the home's relationship with the environment. The result is a home that balances functionality with distinctive design solutions. Verdant House is an example of the architects' ability to create a warm, inviting space in which clients can work, relax and grow as a family, reflecting CAN's thoughtful and unique approach. Mat Barnes, founding director of CAN, said: “The project was about creating a soft but impactful design, tailored to the client and celebrating natural materials. “Every part of this home is designed with intention, from the trusses in the kitchen to the way materials and textures come together to create a space that reflects the client’s taste and the way they want to live , reflects.”