Silchester Road,
Kensington

The practice was appointed in late 2014 to design a full basement scheme as part of the wider refurbishment of an interesting 1960’s terraced property on the Silchester Estate in North Kensington.

The scheme provided a master suite, utility space, cinema space and home office extending out under the rear garden.  Light wells to the front and rear of the basement, along with floor glazing and high ceilings helped to ensure a sense of space and light even though underground.  An external spiral staircase connected the basement to the rear garden.

The design stage coincided with RBKC’s release of tough new planning legislation regarding basements.  Alongside a wide team of consultants, the practice co-ordinated a thorough planning application to satisfy the new policy. Despite numerous concurrent refusals across the borough, the scheme was granted planning permission first time in August 2015.