- Project: Barnsbury House
- Architect: Architecture For London
- Location: United Kingdom, Thornhill Grove, London
- Year: 2023
- Area: 155 m2
- Photography: Nick Dearden
A House of Layers, History, and Renewal
In the leafy enclave of Barnsbury Conservation Area, a Grade II listed Georgian home has been refurbished and extended by Architecture for London for an art historian and a museum curator. The brief: to create interiors that merge contemporary living with classical charm. The design draws inspiration from Jim Ede’s Kettle’s Yard, where modern and antique coexist seamlessly — furniture, fittings, finishes, and objects are carefully orchestrated into a timeless whole.
Barnsbury House is designed not only as a dwelling but as a place to entertain, raise a family, and think creatively. Every floor was reconsidered to balance history with modern comfort.
Reimagining the Lower Ground Floor
Once dark and constricted, the lower ground floor is now a light-filled family hub. Brick-tiled floors, referencing Kettle’s Yard, lend character underfoot. Original soot-stained fireplaces are exposed and celebrated, while timber ceiling joists reveal the home’s historic structure.
The bespoke kitchen combines Carrara marble worktops, English oak cabinetry fronts in a textured sawn finish, and heritage-red painted timber carcasses. This blend of traditional materiality and modern craft epitomizes the project’s ethos.
Vaulted spaces at the front and side were adapted into top-lit storage and utility areas, while a modest side addition houses a shower room and pantry. At the rear, the outdated conservatory gave way to a crisp metal-framed extension, connecting interior and garden.
Upper Levels: Work, Rest & Reflection
On the mezzanine level, a bespoke study and guest suite introduces versatility. Tailored joinery forms a writing desk and conceals a fold-down bed, while a bay window seat frames garden views.
Elsewhere, reclaimed finishes — stone slabs for the rear patio, bricks for the new side wall — reinforce the project’s sustainable philosophy. Even the rear outrigger was internally insulated to boost thermal performance without compromising the historic exterior.
Craft, Collaboration & Detail
Construction was realized through a traditional JCT Intermediate Works contract with CDP, delivered by Jonat Ltd as main contractor. The project drew on carefully selected suppliers: Forbo Flooring Systems (linoleum), Ketley Bricks (quarry tiles), and Knotistry Ltd (jute herringbone carpets).
This collaborative effort ensured that every element — from joinery to finishes — was executed to the highest standard, preserving the Georgian character while introducing a contemporary language of warmth and elegance.
Barnsbury House demonstrates how heritage homes can be reimagined for modern living without erasing their essence. By combining reclaimed finishes, bespoke craftsmanship, and a subtle interplay between old and new, Architecture for London has created a residence that feels both rooted in history and alive with contemporary spirit.
