Denmark Hill

Denmark Hill is a minimalist residence located in London, United Kingdom, designed by TYPE. Tactility, craftsmanship, and a feeling of warmth inspired the construction of a new kitchen and dining space, rooftop extension, and refurbishment of a Victorian terrace for a young family. Materials include hand-moulded bricks in a subtle two-tone layout, clay-fired floor tiles, cork, unpainted plaster, and bespoke ash joinery, with these simple, affordable, and durable materials giving the project distinct character while reflecting the historic construction of the original house.

In the ground-floor extension, a frameless corner window, built-in bench seat, and large pivot door create a stronger connection between the house and newly landscaped garden. A large rooflight defines the dining area and allows light deep into the existing floor plan, which is separated by open shelving and a change in floor level. The design transforms the previous kitchen which was small, dark, and offered little room for meals or socializing while the garden was also neglected and overgrown, being cut off from the principle living spaces.

The frameless corner window demonstrates contemporary glazing detail where structural glass assemblies eliminate visible framing creating seamless visual connection between interior and exterior spaces. This technical solution proves particularly valuable in Victorian terrace extensions where maximizing garden views and light penetration justifies premium glazing systems despite higher costs compared to conventional window installations, establishing contemporary architectural character distinguishing new construction from historic fabric.

Alongside the ground-floor extension and refurbishment, a loft conversion adds a new bedroom, shared bathroom, and home office. The architects wanted the new second floor to feel spacious, light, and generous, like being on top of the roof and not restricted underneath it like many loft spaces. With this in mind, the bedroom includes a large vertical panoramic window which frames views of the city and sky while a rooflight above the shower floods the bathroom with light giving a feeling of being outside, underneath the sky.

The project is part of a wider, ongoing series exploring the adaptability of terraced houses, a typology known for its flexible, long-lasting design built with an economy of means which can be endlessly reconfigured. This research-practice approach demonstrates how individual residential commissions can contribute to broader architectural investigations where repeated engagement with single building typology across multiple projects develops specialized expertise and theoretical positions about Victorian terrace renovation strategies and spatial potentials.

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