Achilles Marble House Extension by ConForm Architects: A Monolithic Statement in Marble

Located in Hampstead, North London, the Achilles Marble House Extension by ConForm Architects transforms a Victorian terraced home into a serene, materially rich family residence. The project redefines contemporary house extensions through an architectural language that celebrates contrast—juxtaposing the solidity of marble with the warmth of exposed brickwork and oak interiors.

A Sculptural Marble Extension That Anchors the Home

ConForm Architects, known for their sensitive and inventive approach to materials, were commissioned by a family seeking a full refurbishment and extension of their London home. Their brief required a flexible, robust, and serene environment that could support daily family life while serving as an elegant backdrop for entertaining. The solution: a monolithic marble-clad side extension that introduces light, volume, and a new spatial hierarchy to the previously dark and segmented Victorian ground floor.

Carved as though from a single block of marble, the extension introduces a dramatic presence without overwhelming the context. Bookended by angled cubic frames with chamfered edges, the form both captures light and gently directs views between interior and garden, enhancing spatial flow and visual continuity.

Seamless Interior Transition: From Victorian to Contemporary

A key ambition of the project was to reconnect the ground floor to the southeast-facing garden. ConForm began with reworking the circulation: a refreshed entryway now opens into a formal sitting room framed by sliding oak doors and integrated timber joinery. A central dining room—lined with custom white cabinetry—creates a spatial link between the traditional front of the house and the bold new extension.

The internal threshold to the extension is signaled through a marble-framed aperture that looks into a light-filled kitchen. Here, the use of continuous marble cladding unifies floor, cabinetry, and walls in soft grey veining. To reduce the visual weight and technical demands of solid stone, ConForm worked closely with suppliers to use 6mm-thick marble panels reinforced with secure, latched fastenings—a solution that achieved elegance without compromising structural performance.

A Kitchen for Living: Durable Elegance and Family Functionality

At the heart of the extension lies a multifunctional kitchen and dining area designed for gathering and cooking. A large central island, crafted from stained oak and supported by a white powder-coated steel frame, creates a visual and structural counterpoint to the surrounding stone. The frame continues seamlessly into a dining table that accommodates four, ensuring the space remains social and flexible.

Instead of using marble for the countertops, the team opted for Corian quartz, selected for its durability and non-porous surface—meeting the client’s need for resilient yet refined materials in a high-use area.

Light, Volume, and Materiality in Harmony

To heighten the feeling of spatial generosity, the kitchen and living zone were dropped 40 centimeters, increasing ceiling height and enhancing light intake. Natural illumination is optimized through overhead glazing, a deep-set floor-to-ceiling window facing the courtyard, and three powder-coated steel beams that integrate LED lighting and solar shading. These architectural gestures enrich the space with a play of soft shadows and reflections.

Sliding glass doors with recessed framing eliminate the barrier between interior and garden. Materials like white-painted brick and polished concrete continue from inside to out, creating an uninterrupted visual and physical flow that blurs the boundary between domestic interior and outdoor living.

Full-House Renovation with Thoughtful Additions

Beyond the extension, ConForm oversaw the full renovation of the house, reconfiguring five upper rooms for bedrooms, a playroom, and a home office. A new dormer and a pod room were added above the outrigger, continuing the project's design language with black cladding and signature sloping window reveals.

Every design decision reflects the original brief—creating a durable, harmonious family home that’s both robust and poetic. Through inventive use of materials and meticulous detailing, ConForm Architects deliver a project that is at once grounded and sculptural, classical in presence yet modern in function.

📌 Project Details:

• Project: Achilles Marble House Extension
• Architects: ConForm Architects
• Location: Hampstead, London, UK
• Area: 188 m²
• Year: 2022
• Photography: Lorenzo Zandri
• Contractor: AroBuild
• Manufacturers: Another Country, Direct Wood Flooring