Modern extension with patterned brickwork, large glass door opening to interior, small side window, brick buildings background, surrounded by plants, architecture by Gresford Architects.

Bright open-plan kitchen and living area with wooden ceiling, large window and door to garden, potted plants, black sofa, modern decor, architecture by Gresford Architects.

A view through a doorway into a modern interior with brick and glass architecture by Gresford Architects, featuring greenery outside and patterned floor tiles inside.

Close-up of a brick wall with a glass window reflecting a wooden interior, architecture by Gresford Architects.

Modern kitchen with black cabinetry, white marble countertops, wooden ceiling beams, and large window with greenery outside, architecture by Gresford Architects.

Interior shot of a modern home with a narrow corridor, wooden shelving, and a glass door leading outside, architecture by Gresford Architects.

A modern building with a textured grey brick façade, a small window with a plant, and an angular roofline, architecture by Gresford Architects.

Modern kitchen with black cabinets, a marble island, wooden ceiling beams, colourful wall art, and a display shelf, architecture by Gresford Architects.

Modern black kitchen with a curved island, pendant lighting, abstract art and sculptural vases, glossy marble backsplash, and wooden ceiling architecture by Gresford Architects.

A modern kitchen with black cabinets, a small stainless steel sink, a coffee machine, and spice bottles, illuminated by natural light from a tall window, architecture by Gresford Architects.

A bright living area with a wooden ceiling, potted plants, a black sofa, and minimalist furniture, architecture by Gresford Architects.

Gresford Architects designed (RIBA Stages 0–3) and Allen Architects delivered (RIBA Stage 4&5 — after Gresford Architects moved from London to Oxford) this single storey rear/side extension to a ground floor flat in Clapton.

James Allen, first as part of the GA team and then on his own account, worked in collaboration with the fabulous clients to research and develop creative solutions, and innovative construction techniques to incorporate in the build.

The result of this process is an extension featuring 'diamond' shaped brick cladding, an exposed ply and timber roof structure, and a 'ribbon' glass window/roof. The selected finishes serve to accentuate the irregular geometry and form of the extension which was carefully proportioned to satisfy local planning constraints.

The extension footprint retains a modest external lightwell, which in tandem with internal changes has transformed this once 2 bedroom flat, into a well proportioned 3-bed!