concrete extension with waffle roof added to london residence by bureau de change architects

in contrast to its existing counterpart, a victorian residence in london, bureau de change architects has added a concrete extension with a waffle roof over the new living room area. the extension instills a monolithic expression and from the garden, the waffle roof with the pre-fabricated troughs and peaks takes focus in the project, while establishing trenches from rooftop planting. these roof trenches are out of sight, giving the immediate effect of a simple concrete slab, which contrasts with the texture of the original building.

the focal point of the project is a concrete waffle shaped roof, which sits aloft the new living area
all images © ben blossom

inside, the designers at bureau de change visually strengthens the form of the new living room ceiling with giving a rhythmic motion to the waffle ceiling. at the same time, this offers a logical position for a substantial skylight that traverses the full width of the extension. natural light pours through a strip of skylight that traverses the full width of the extension and illuminates the kitchen.

‘we wanted to create a volume, whose form would be meaningful both inside and out. inside, the motion of the roof slab breaks up the minimal surfaces of the living area. outside, it creates appealing views through hollows and humps, which bring nature and concrete into immediate proximity.’ – billy mavropoulos, director at bureau de change

a selective material palette has been chose to visually define the interior. in the living area, the materiality of the ceiling is echoed in concrete flooring, which stretches to meet the threshold of the kitchen. there, it extends up the face of the kitchen island and turns back on itself to create a sculptural addition, in the form of a breakfast bar. meanwhile the boundary of the kitchen is marked graphically, by a transition into rich monochromatic blue that floods the surfaces of the space, including its resin floor. the concrete appears to force its way into the kitchen’s footprint, creating a pathway around which the resin floor wraps.

in the living area, the materiality of the ceiling is echoed in concrete flooring

within the kitchen, monolithic volumes have a masking effect, concealing ample storage on one side and a cloakroom on the other. this allows the monochrome quality of the space to take the lead. door edges are cleaved back to create geometric insets, which form handles, and whose elongated shape are repeated on the ceiling to create embedded lighting.

the extension leads out to the back garden

‘the project was an opportunity to create a journey of unexpected moments, through balanced contrasts embedded in the narrative. the entrance hall, with its original tiling, gives way to an immersive grasp of solid colour within the kitchen. this then opens onto the more industrial living space, whose lightweight atmosphere opposes the weight of the concrete roof, enhancing its floating quality.’ – katerina dionysopoulou, co-founder at bureau de change

the boundary of the kitchen is marked graphically, by a transition into rich monochromatic blue