Stepped Volume
Site History and Context
No. 78 Emmanuel Road is a residential terraced property located in the Thornton Ward of Balham, London. The house comprises two storeys with an additional roof level and is situated on the north side of the street, oriented north–south with a private garden to the rear.
Constructed in traditional brickwork, the property had previously been extended at ground floor level, including a rebuilt outrigger reaching the neighbouring boundary. Large PVC windows were added to improve natural light and internal space. Although unlisted and outside a conservation area, the house sits comfortably within its established residential context.
The existing single-storey rear extension was of poor construction and featured a small double door leading onto a raised terrace. The client’s brief was to reconfigure the rear to create a stronger connection with the south-facing garden, overcome the steep change in levels, and provide a layout suited to modern family living.
Design Response
The project delivers the extension and remodelling of the post-war home, reconfigured to support contemporary family life. A new split-level rear extension introduces stepped volumes and clerestory glazing, allowing natural light to filter through the plan and creating visual connections across the interior.
Generously framed openings extend views to the garden, drawing the landscape into the heart of the home. A lowered dining space reinforces the sense of calm and strengthens the relationship between indoors and outdoors.
The material palette is restrained yet expressive: handmade brick adds depth and warmth, sitting harmoniously alongside the existing structure while clearly articulating the contemporary addition. The design balances functionality, daylight, and spatial quality, creating a home that is both practical and visually engaging, fully integrated with its outdoor setting.
