Architect Stephen Kavanagh was commissioned to design an extension and the refurbishment of his childhood home in Dublin, Ireland.
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The current owners of the 3 bedroom terrace house, Stephen’s parents, wanted to have a space that was light and spacious, and would allow them to engage with their large garden, which was previously hidden from view.
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The new extension, covered in charred timber cladding, contrasts the original white terrace house and provides a durable exterior and monochrome palette. Large floor to ceiling windows and a glass door were used to fulfill the clients requests to see their garden and to have a bright space. The extension includes a dining table and a kitchen. Three concrete pendant lights anchor the dining table and chairs in the room. The kitchen with white and tan cabinets is positioned along the wall, while white tiles help to reflect the light from the skylight above the kitchen. ​At night, the space is lit up with concealed LED strips that are located within the ceiling to highlight the exposed timber joists and to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

One of the founders of 31/44 Architects has built his own London home, which is arranged around three courtyards to make it easy for domestic life to spill outdoors.
The two-storey house, named No 49, provides a home for Stephen Davies, who is one of three founders of London- and Amsterdam-based 31/44 Architects.
It is located on an infill site in Lewisham, south London, on a street where Davies previously completed another self-build property, in 2011.

The plot is lined on one side with a typical Victorian terrace, and on the other comprises a random assemblage of fences, walls, mews and garage buildings. It was this mix that inspired Davies' design.
"The consequent, perhaps subconscious, reaction to the site was to assert permanence – to produce a house with significant visual mass that would begin to define the beginnings of a completed street," said the studio.

The house's main entrance is set back from the road, with planters, steps and gates to the courtyards creating a distinct threshold that echoes the eclectic series of structures and openings on this side of the street.
Grey brick was chosen for the walls, to complement the weathered London stock of neighbouring houses. A precast concrete lintel separates the two levels, while unifying various elements including the entrance, gates and upstairs window.