Library House Kensal Rise, West London Building Extension, Property Addition, Modern Architecture Images
Library House in London
20 Feb 2021
Library House in Kensal Rise
Design: Mitchell + Corti Architects
Location: Kensal Rise, West London, England
Mitchell + Corti Architects designed a striking extension for the Library House with recycled stone cladding, all on a tight budget.

The project began with a simple brief: spatial reconfiguration and the addition of a rear extension to a Victorian Kensal Rise terraced house. The clients, both historians, gave @mitchellandcorti two key brief requirements: firstly that the house should address the connection to the sunken garden, and secondly the need for a dedicated space to host an impressive book collection.
A tight budget, tired-looking property and fabulous proportions gave life to a special project, featuring a circular skylight, vast bookcase, bespoke tile patterns and fun accents.

As one approaches the garden, the floor to ceiling bookcase, situated in a sunken area within the open plan living space, further emphasised by a large circular skylight, accentuates the remarkable height of the room.
Continuous creative support from the client, a conscious desire for sustainability and strict budget limitations, led M+C to define the project aesthetic with an approach centred around minimal intervention. The use of dark paint, contrasting colours, sustainable or reused materials and fittings was applied throughout.

The re...