Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

Hidden House

An urban barn conversion

Hidden House

An urban barn conversion

Our clients approached us having recently purchased a Victorian terraced house in Dulwich in need of some serious TLC. Derelict but full of original charm, the house offered generous proportions, ornate cornicing and original marble fireplaces. This creative young couple wanted a home to grow into and the brief was to transform this neglected structure into a spacious place to unwind—and to host lively gatherings—celebrating the building’s heritage whilst introducing a modern classic feel to the interiors.

The ground floor living spaces were too compartmentalised and the connection between the interior and the garden was compromised by an excessively low ceiling to the existing three storey closet wing. We added a full width rear extension and sank the new snug into a ‘conversation-pit’ arrangement, allowing the space to align naturally with the garden and reconnect the hallway to daylight. This move unlocked a fluid, open-plan living area anchored by a beautiful handcrafted West & Reid kitchen and framed by arched Crittall doors opening onto the garden. Additional bedrooms were provided by a full width dormer extension at roof level and the house was renovated throughout. In keeping with our clients passion for design and sense of fun, each room expresses its own personality, breathing life back into this old house.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

Accessed through an unassuming passageway between terraced houses, the project reveals a contemporary residence discreetly tucked between garden.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

By lowering the existing level of the barn we were able to create a dramatic double-height space at the heart of the home.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

We worked with the client and contractor to design a bespoke staircase in oak which encircles the main living space and connects the lower entrance courtyard to the upper sun terrace.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House
Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

A golden lobby connects the main living space with the bedrooms and bathrooms beyond.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House
Smith & Brooke — Hidden House
Smith & Brooke — Hidden House
Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

To maximise storage, we incorporated hidden cupboards and drawers into our design for the sweeping oak staircase which sits within the main living space.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

Our clients asked us to prioritise natural and recycled materials wherever possible, and this brief shaped many of our design choices. Timber detailing and natural clay wall finishes soften the interior and add warmth and texture, while the use of glulam and timber as the primary structure allowed us to minimise steel.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

We wanted to expose the glulam structure and drew inspiration from the nave of a church. The structure rises and flares to meet the roof, supporting large triangular skylights that bring abundant natural light deep into the plan.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House
Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

The south-facing roof of the barn was the ideal location for photovoltaic panels, which were installed to provide power to the house and to the air-source heat pump that heats the highly insulated structure.

Smith & Brooke — Hidden House

At terrace level, we pushed the building envelope forward to create privacy and visual screening within the compact plot. The clients choice of glazed blue tiles and matching door frames introduces a bold accent that ties the exterior to the blue kitchen below.

Credits and References

Collaborators

  • Contractor: GM Developments
  • Photography: : Chris Wharton