Some of Hackney’s residents bristled when they learned that one of their neighbours was planning to extend their property. The leafy East London district is characterised by its neat Victorian terraces with ornate, Italianate features, and locals were worried that the contemporary design of the proposed addition would be incongruous with the conservation area.
“I think there were 27 objections, but fortunately the planning department were very supportive of the idea, praising it for its ‘high-quality, lightweight design’,” says Ben Cousins, co-founder of Cousins & Cousins, the architecture and interior design practice commissioned to undertake the project.
“And actually, in the end, there weren’t any problems,” adds Jelena Cousins, Ben’s wife and fellow co-founder. “Sometimes people just don’t like the idea of change, but once they actually live with it, it’s fine. A woman hit Richard Rogers over the head with an umbrella for designing the Centre Pompidou, and now it’s one of the most iconic buildings in the world!”
A space in which art is to be admired should be a vision in its own right, after all. And that factored into the thinking behind this project. The homeowners were keen art collectors and wanted to achieve a gallery-like experience with the extension, with plenty of space to hang paintings. Cousins & Cousins were mindful of this while following the brief to increase the footprint of the home in a unique and modern way.
“Previously, the house felt quite closed off and like a rabbit warren of lots of small rooms,” recalls Jelena. “We wanted to completely open up the building and create something quite sculptural while bringing as much natural daylight into the house as possible.”
Denne historien er fra March - April 2022, issue 141-utgaven av Homes & Interiors Scotland.
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Denne historien er fra March - April 2022, issue 141-utgaven av Homes & Interiors Scotland.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Escape BOATH HOUSE
An inspirational Georgian manor house in the north-east offers sanctuary to artists, poets and the curious of spirit
Escape THE LOOKOUT
Sun-drenched interiors, right on the beach - it's hard to believe this is Scotland
"It still feels like home. Just nicer"
The owners of this house in Edinburgh didn't intend to give it a complete makeover, but once they started they just couldn't stop
A SCOTTISH LOVE STORY
You need passion to persevere through a lengthy restoration project. Thankfully for this rambling old lodge in Highland Perthshire, its new owners were already head over heels
CLEAN AND POLISH
Ten years in the making, this one-time dental surgery in Portobello has been reshaped as an elegant, practical family home
MEET THE MAKER RACHEL MACLELLAN
You might think the process is purely creative, but designing knitted textiles requires a deep understanding of geometry and pattern calculations. It is intricate and often mathematical. I have learned that knitting demands a constant balance between artistry and engineering. Creating a new textile involves not only selecting colours and yarns but also considering the tensile strength, elasticity and drape of the material. That way, I ensure the final product is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. To me, this blend of creativity and technical precision is a fascinating aspect of knitted textile design.
IN THE KITCHEN AT PARTIES
It's all in the details for this slick and multifunctional entertainment space
JUST A HINT OF PINK
This family-orientated Georgian kitchen gets an upgrade in both footprint and finish
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Beauty and the best of Scotland on the shores of Loch Ness
LAURA THOMAS
The environmentalist has become a very successful entrepreneur whose products are stocked by Scotland's best hotels