Unknown Works has transformed the home of practice Director Theo Games Petrohilos into a bright minimalist sanctuary in Kentish Town, North London. The studio employed a bold approach to layout and selected naturally finished materials to create a light-filled residence, complemented by a lushly planted hidden garden.

The home, purchased in 2017, previously suffered from limited daylight and poor ventilation, adorned with faux marble tiles and an assortment of dark hardwood and peeling linoleum flooring. The L-shaped layout, typical of Victorian terraced houses, left the living spaces feeling disconnected from the rear courtyard, which featured an overgrown jungle of fig and bay trees.

The primary goal was to establish a flexible floor plan that improved cross ventilation and maximized natural light, creating a space for cooking, working, relaxing, and retreating. For Theo, the kitchen is the social heart of a home, serving as a gathering place for friends and family to cook and eat together.

Unknown Works added a side infill and a slight rear extension, stepping just 1 meter into the rear courtyard garden. This reclaimed space has defined a new home, featuring a custom stainless steel kitchen, modular furniture designed by Unknown Works, and an internal courtyard. A concrete floor extends both indoors and outdoors, enhancing the feeling of space and offering an al fresco dining experience year-round. The ceiling has been rebuilt with resilient bars and acoustic insulation to minimize noise from neighbors.

Natural light and airflow were central to the project, aiming to create an airy contrast to the typical challenges of London terraced homes. Given the constraints of the existing layout, Unknown Works designed a new internal courtyard at the center of the home, allowing all rooms to benefit from cross ventilation. The dining area, lounge, and large kitchen sink all overlook a second courtyard garden lined with white pebbles, evoking the tranquility of Japanese stone gardens.

Inspired by iconic modernist houses in nearby Highgate, including John Winter’s home, the newly refurbished space features a sleek material palette of glass, white oiled timber, concrete, and stainless steel, which reflects and enhances light throughout. The raw materials create a seamless flow through the space, occasionally highlighted by a bright yellow door handle or artwork.

A custom-designed kitchen made of stainless steel and plywood provides a clean, inviting area. The original wooden floors have been refinished in white, and additional white-stained wood joinery further illuminates the interiors while adding depth. Smooth fair-faced blockwork with flush joints in the rear extension and internal courtyard introduces texture variation.

This transformation allowed Unknown Works to explore new ideas in modular furniture, joinery, and detailing, creating versatile interior configurations within the footprint. The studio designed a 16-seater stainless steel table with a crisp edge and reflective finish that complements the surrounding concrete textures. Equipped with bright orange casters, it can be repositioned for various uses, including outdoor settings in favorable weather. Lighting was also a key element; a custom hanging aluminum light is suspended over the kitchen, while recessed ceiling lights in the dining, living, and bathroom areas sit flush against the ceiling for a clean, polished finish.

All joinery is bespoke, crafted from birch plywood, including a timber-plinthed bed with integrated storage and an open bookshelf wall. Two floor-to-ceiling plywood wardrobes, also on wheels, rotate to define different entry sequences to the living spaces, providing more privacy for the open bedroom nook.

Unknown Works’ meticulous attention to detail and transformative design approach have turned a previously confined home into a functional, peaceful, and light-filled haven. This project exemplifies the studio’s expertise in creating modern architectural spaces, interiors, and furniture with a refined material palette.