Modern Architectural Renovation in London: Oasis House by Unknown Works

Oasis House, a remarkable project by Unknown Works, represents a quintessential example of modern architectural renovation in London. Located in Kentish Town, North London, this transformation of practice Director Theo Games Petrohilos’ home showcases a bright, minimalist sanctuary. With a bold approach towards layout and naturally finished materials, the studio has crafted a home that is flooded with light and embraced by a lushly planted hidden garden.

Project Background

The Initial State

Purchased in 2017, the existing spaces of Oasis House suffered from limited daylight and ventilation, adorned with faux marble tiling and a combination of dark hardwood and peeling lino flooring. The L-shaped layout typical of Victorian terraced houses meant that the living spaces felt disconnected from the exterior courtyard, which featured a mature overgrown jungle of fig and bay trees.

Design Intent

The priority was to create a flexible floor plan that increased cross ventilation and maximized access to natural light. Theo, a keen host, desired a space where cooking, working, relaxing, and social gatherings could all harmoniously coexist. The kitchen, as the social heart of the home, was to be a focal point for friends and family to gather and enjoy meals together.

Architectural Transformation

Extensions and Modifications

Unknown Works added a side infill and a slight rear extension, stepping just 1 meter into the rear courtyard garden. This reclaimed space defined a whole new home, offering a versatile floorplan that accommodates a custom stainless steel kitchen, modular furniture designed by Unknown Works, and an internal courtyard. A concrete floor anchors both the interior and exterior spaces, expanding the sense of space and creating a feeling of al fresco dining year-round.

Natural Light and Ventilation

Abundant natural light and airflow were central to the project brief. Working within the constraints of the tight existing plan, Unknown Works designed a new internal courtyard at the center of the home, ensuring all rooms benefit from cross ventilation. The dining, lounge area, and large kitchen sink have dedicated openings overlooking the second courtyard garden, which is lined with white pebbles, reminiscent of Japanese stone gardens.

Material Palette and Interior Design

Sleek and Minimalist Aesthetic

Inspired by iconic modernist houses in the neighboring Highgate area, including John Winter’s own home, the newly refurbished space uses a sleek material palette of glass, white oiled timber, concrete, and stainless steel. These materials bounce and reflect light throughout the plan, creating an airy and open atmosphere.

Custom Furnishings

The custom stainless steel and plywood kitchen offers a clean, convivial space. Original wooden floors have been painted fresh white, and white stained wood joinery further bounces light around the spaces while adding natural depth. Smooth fair-faced blockwork with flush joints in the rear extension and internal courtyard adds a variation in texture.

Innovative Design Features

Modular Furniture

The transformation presented an opportunity for Unknown Works to develop and test new ideas in modular furniture, joinery, and detailing. A notable example is the 16-seater stainless steel table, featuring a crisp edge and reflective patina designed to complement the surrounding concrete textures. Mounted on bright orange castors, it can be positioned in various configurations, even moving outside in the summer when the weather allows.

Bespoke Joinery

All joinery is designed and built bespoke using birch plywood, including a timber-plinthed bed with integrated storage and an open bookshelf wall. Two floor-to-ceiling plywood wardrobes, also set on wheels, rotate to define different entry sequences on arrival to living spaces, creating partitions that offer the open bedroom nook more privacy.

Unknown Works' attention to detail and transformative design approach has turned a once-confined home into a functional, peaceful, and light-filled haven. Oasis House exemplifies the firm's expertise in creating modern architectural spaces, interiors, and furniture within a refined material palette. This project stands as a testament to the potential of modern architectural renovation in London, offering inspiration for future transformations in urban living spaces.

All the photographs are work of Lorenzo Zandri