In a quiet South London street, a modest terrace house has been transformed into a design-forward home thanks to a striking rear extension. Designed by Gruff Architects, the contemporary addition cleverly blends timber and concrete, creating a sculptural presence that immediately draws the eye.
At the centre of the design, a ribbon of board-formed concrete highlights the fireplace, turning it into a focal point both inside and out.
Sliding glass doors seamlessly link the interior to the garden, while large windows draw natural light into the open-plan space. The extension’s bold dark exterior contrasts with the concrete ribbon and the warmth of the charred larch cladding, which folds into the decking and pergola, giving the home a distinctive profile.
Inside, the living room is enveloped in deep blue, from the walls to the built-in bookshelves and a wrap-around U-shaped couch. Skylights in the roof bring additional light into the dining and kitchen areas, where a slightly raised kitchen platform and a bright yellow backsplash inject energy and character.
A small, functional desk area sits adjacent to the kitchen, flanked by a built-in bookshelf at one end and a wood-lined window seat at the other, blending practicality with design. Level changes across the open-plan layout subtly define each zone while maintaining a cohesive, intimate feel.
The stepped terrain of the site informed the extension’s saw-toothed roofline, allowing generous eaves along the higher boundary without breaching height limits.
With its sculptural form, seamless indoor-outdoor connection, and bold use of materials, this South London terrace shows how contemporary design can completely transform the back of a home.
Photography by Ben Blossom
