OEB Architects Unveils London Tropical House Extension
In London, OEB Architects has completed a striking extension dubbed 'London Tropical', transforming a Victorian terraced house with a design that fuses elements of tropical modernism and 1980s interiors. The project, characterized by its use of gleaming ceramic tiles, a translucent glass-block wall, and abundant plant life, aims to create an immersive, garden-centric living experience.
The primary goal for OEB Architects was to fashion an expansive kitchen and dining zone at the rear of the three-story Southwark residence. The design intentionally blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, giving residents the sensation of being enveloped by their garden. This innovative approach departs from typical Victorian terrace extensions, which often feature conventional top-lit infills. According to Gabriel George, project architect at OEB Architects, the design explores the interplay of translucent and reflective materials, along with bold, graphic features, to produce a dynamic and adaptable space throughout the seasons.
Instead of occupying the entire width of the plot, the extension is strategically set back from the southern boundary. This allows for the incorporation of a glass-block wall and full-height windows, which provide views into a newly created courtyard and side return. This thoughtful arrangement ensures that the interior is flooded with light and offers a constant connection to the outdoors. The rear of the extension further enhances this connection with full-height sliding glass doors, which not only frame the garden but also allow the entire space to open onto a patio adorned with verdant foliage. This design philosophy was driven by the clients' desire for an unconventional extension, moving away from common roof-light solutions. The setback configuration creates two distinct external areas: a courtyard adjacent to the main house and a rear garden serving the extension, both featuring diverse transparent surfaces that respond to their respective views.
The interior of the extension showcases a vibrant design, centered around a kitchen island covered in glossy green tiles and a structural column in shiny red tiles. These bold elements provide striking focal points against an otherwise minimalist backdrop of white-painted walls, stone flooring, and light timber carpentry and ceilings. The combination of glossy tiles and the translucent glass-block wall creates a captivating play of light throughout the day, with translucent curtains offering additional screening for the south-facing courtyard and amplifying the ethereal lighting effects. The design drew inspiration from various sources, including mid-century West Coast American case study houses, 1980s interior aesthetics, and tropical modernism, reflecting a rich tapestry of architectural and artistic influences.
The extension features a subtle upward step in its floor level to seamlessly connect with the main house. The connecting passage is cleverly flanked by a bathroom and a pantry area, maximizing functionality. OEB Architects, established in 2018 by Tessa Baird and David Eland, maintains offices in London and Brighton. The firm has a history of innovative residential projects, including a previous extension in Tottenham that added a simple blockwork and timber structure to a semi-detached home.
