Hackney Bay House
East London / UK
Hackney Bay House
East London / UK
A sustainable adaptation of a Victorian Terrace to provide bright, healthy living spaces that accommodate the changing needs of a growing family. Constructed and finished with natural, low-carbon materials, the project significantly improves the houses energy consumption.
Type
Size
Cost
Client
Photography
Private Home
80 sqm
Confidential
Private
Fred Howarth
"We wanted to make our home feel more open and bright and to create an easier, more natural flow to the garden. We also dreamed of adding an outside space that would feel roomy inside but still blend in nicely with the garden. Material Works took the time to understand what we were after and guided us through the design process with creativity and thoughtful advice. They showed us different options, and made sure the plans truly reflected how we wanted to live. The end result has gone above and beyond: the lower level is now full of light and feels so much more inviting. The transition to the garden feels effortless, and the studio is a peaceful little escape that fits right in without dominating. Our home is much more spacious and just right for the way we live now."
Max & Carry
This project involved the substantial refurbishment and extension of a Victorian terraced house within a Hackney conservation area. The lower floor, once dark and cramped, was transformed into a spacious, light-filled open-plan living area centred around a new kitchen. To enhance the sense of space, the floor level was lowered, increasing ceiling height and allowing for the creation of a dramatic double-height void adjacent to the new rear elevation. This space links to a mezzanine study, overlooking the living area.
A unique double-height bay window brings abundant natural light into the heart of the home and offers garden views from the mezzanine. The garden was subtly reconfigured with stepped access and integrated planters that visually and physically connect the interior to the outdoor space. At the garden’s end, a new standalone studio constructed with low-carbon materials—including cork cladding and timber shingles—houses a music and creative workspace with excellent acoustic and thermal performance.
Inside, exposed oak structural elements blend with matching joinery. A bespoke open-tread staircase adds visual lightness, while a pink concrete floor and natural plaster walls soften the interior. Sustainability and wellness was central to the design, with low carbon materials used throughout with high-performance insulation, efficient glazing, and an air-source heat pump replacing the gas boiler.