One of the biggest challenges in London-based architectural work is to provide garden space for homes, particularly those in popular areas where outdoor space is so valuable. In many cases gardens are sacrificed in favour of building bigger properties or to make room for more homes in the same area.

Those people that do want gardens need to choose their home carefully or must make special use of the spaces they have available to them. There are a number of different ways to achieve this. We worked on a three-storey Georgian property in Islington, North London, that illustrates this perfectly.

The home is located in a conservation area so the number of options were limited, but this challenge helped stimulate our creativity further. The property had a garage at the back of the property that was taking up much of the space, leaving just a narrow, poorly lit courtyard. The owners desired a practical and visually appealing garden, so we set about designing a solution for them.

The design that we settled on provided much more than just a garden. We demolished the garage and designed a glass courtyard and terrace garden that would provide light to the existing living areas and the two new rooms that were being excavated. This meant that the property would gain the external space they wanted as well as valuable added living room.

The new space is bright and airy thanks to the glass courtyard and the added skylights in the new living room. The use of stainless steel, white walls and concrete combines with the glass to provide a simple, modern finish. On the roof terrace there are planters with plants and trees to add some greenery. Wooden decking and integrated seating make the space functional, warm and welcoming.

Our architects in London were very happy to be invited to take part in this project and support our clients in achieving their goals. We believe the property shows exactly what can be done when you consult an experienced, skilled architect. If you want to renovate a home in London and would like our help at any stage, from the design to project management, please contact us.