Nimtim Architects

Hive House

HIVE HOUSE

nimtim architects

Hive House
© Megan Taylor

ARCHITECTS
nimtim architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Megan Taylor

AREA
47.0 m2

MANUFACTURER
Domus Tiles, Trimble, Mr. Resistor, TW Space conversions Ltd, Autodesk, Mortise Concrete, Hand and Eye Studio, Adobe

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
United Kingdom

CATEGORY
Extension

Hive House
© Megan Taylor

Text description provided by architect.

A simple but effective stepped rear extension for our sociable, book-loving clients.

Budget informed structure and materials to create a light filled and unique design that has a transformative effect on everyday family life.

Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor

This rear addition to an Edwardian terrace house in South London was driven by the principles of simplicity and honesty -

influenced by a modest budget but also a shared vision to create something unpretentious but materially and spatially rich.

The rear extension is stepped in plan at the rear to respond to existing extensions on either side and reduce impact on neighbours.

Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor

It creates a new family space by combining the existing rear living room and kitchen with the new additional space to provide kitchen, dining and living areas, each subtly defined within the larger space.

A timber structure of exposed structural plywood was used for the extension to reduce steelwork costs and provide something that could act as both structure and exposed internal storage.

This lightweight timber grid was then draped in a skin of red brick to provide external cladding and robustness where required.

Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor

The bricks are constructed using a stack bond with a light, recessed mortar accentuating the geometry of the materials and referencing the structural timber grid internally.

The objective for the whole project was to allow & encourage each element of the house to be what it wanted to be.

Thus doors and windows are a simple dark grey aluminium frame, the fascias above are patinated lead over external plywood and the floor and worktops are a cast concrete.

Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor

Kitchen fronts and storage are formed in structural ply to match the exposed new structure.

The result is a light-filled family living space that is both of-its-time but comfortable sitting alongside the main house.

“We love it so much - it’s like [nimtim] took what was in our brains and interpreted it perfectly - with some added extras we wouldn’t have thought of!”

Hive House
© Megan Taylor


Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor
Hive House
© Megan Taylor


Hive House
Detail
Hive House
Existing and proposed rear elevation


Hive House
Existing and proposed section AA
Hive House
Existing and proposed ground floor plan

Nimtim Architects
T +44 20 8693 0878
Nimtim Architects
A - The Old Stable House, Unit 4, 53-55 North Cross Road London, SE22 9ET, UK