Marney Road, London SW11

Exquisitely extended and renovated, this Victorian terraced house lies on a quiet residential street on the north side of Clapham Common. It has undergone a complete transformation to an incredibly detailed scheme by the architects Bureau De Change, combining strong material datum with innovative solutions for maximising volume and light.

The Tour
The architects gave the project the moniker of ‘Frame House’ in reference to its challenge to the "standard solutions to planning rules" resulting in the "maximum envelope possible with purely rectilinear forms that are staggered and stepped at the boundaries".

The traditional entrance hall gives route to a massive open ground level that steps in terraces of various volume to an ethereal walled garden at the rear.

The design places the kitchen at the front of the house, bringing eastern light from a traditional bay window. Cabinetry rises to the ceilings on either side and offers a contemporary take on shaker framing in a wonderfully muted tone. At its centre is a sculptural island of curved terrazzo, with bench seating for breakfasts and informal dining.

Terrazzo tiles extend from here to the steps below, defining dining and living spaces in a distinctly modernist manner. A roof light above the sitting room has electric blackout blinds. Underfloor heating extends across the ground level.

The terrazzo tiles continue beyond the intricate frames of the extended glazing to provide a seamlessness between inside and out; raised beds provide an evergreen backdrop.

At basement level, a utility room has been created in place of the former cellar.

The upper levels are reached via a stunning oak staircase with the most intricate of handrails: steel-framed, with delicate inlays of green terrazzo.

At first-floor level, a sweeping principal suite has been created. Here, bespoke cabinetry reaches up to the high corniced ceilings above and meets the rich grain of oak floorboards below. Its en suite bathroom has a freestanding bath, separate shower and a double concrete sink by Kast. Fixtures and fittings are by Samuel Heath. Each bathroom in the house is defined by its own shade of terrazzo.

A bedroom with garden views and an adjacent shower room are sited on a half landing below. This plan is mirrored in the landing above, though here the bedroom is en suite.

On the second floor, a huge guest suite has been created with a Juliet balcony over the former side return and a mass of storage in wardrobes and eaves.

Outside Space

The garden is a seamless extension of the ground level. It is accessed through a floor-to-ceiling glazed pivot door in the wonderful extended portion. Terrazzo continues from inside to out to form a series of raised beds that undulate in a mirror of the stepped level inside. These are planted with olive, jasmine, palms and cascading ivy.

The Area

Marney Road is moments from the open expanses of Clapham Common and a short walk from both Lavender Hill and Northcote Road. The former is laden with cafés, bars and restaurants as well as a Wholefoods. The latter has a bustling high street for shopping offering a broad range of outstanding independent shops and dining opportunities, as well as the expected supermarkets and chain stores. Local favourites include Buona Sera pizzeria, The Eagle pub and Tierra Verde deli and cafe.

To the north lies Battersea Park, with its boating lake, sports pitches and sub-tropical gardens.

There is an excellent range of schools in the area including Thomas's Clapham and Battersea, Parkgate House School, Hornsby House and secondary Emanuel, as well as Honeywell and Bolingbroke Academy state schools, and the French school L'Ecole de Battersea.

Within easy reach are both Clapham Common station (Northern line) and Clapham Junction station, which runs trains to Victoria in seven minutes and Waterloo in 11 minutes. It also runs Overground services to Peckham and south-east London in one direction, and Kensington and west London in the other.

Council Tax Band: F