A tropical paradise in SE11

Lowering the floor of the semi-basement resulted in a garden set higher than the kitchen, a problem solved by creating wide concrete steps which also function as permanent garden furniture

A jungle garden creates the focal point for a simple glass side return extension and lower ground floor re-organisation

Photography: Richard Chivers | www.rchivers.co.uk

Left Concrete flooring is not just practical and cost-effective, but creates a seamless visual link to the tiered steps of the garden

A sleek collapsible desk and black-framed windows add to the feeling of airiness in the compact study

Hailing from Germany and Jamaica, the homeowners presented an initial brief to the architects which contained images of tropical plants, houses in Brazil and pictures exotic holidays. Drawing from this rich source of visual inspiration, the design of Banana Tree House evolved from those images and the clients’ desire for a tropical oasis in the SE11 postcode district of southeast London.

The house is a three-storey terrace home, the semi-basement floor of which had a very low ceiling, no garden views and, as a result, was underused. In short, it was precious wasted space in an already compact house.

The proposal was to undertake substantial structural work to lower the floor in the rear half of the house, creating generous ceiling height. The side return was infilled with a simple glass box and the side wall of the house removed, forming a large, open kitchen-dining space.

Clever storage was created above and around the doorway into the rear study room overlooking the garden

White marble surfaces reflect the ample light in the open kitchen/ dining area The sense of openness carries on through to the main sitting room, where natural light floods in through a wide doorway

A sleek wooden staircase ties in with the timber flooring on the upper level

While lowering the floor had an immediate positive (i.e. the greatly increased ceiling height), it also presented a disadvantage: the further disconnection of the kitchen from the garden, which was not only tiny, but was now also set half a storey higher.

The answer was to create a small patio with wide steps that lead the eye up to into the garden. The steps form a place to sit — or, permanent outdoor furniture, in other words — and transform into terraces heavily planted with tropical plants, creating a tiered wall of greenery when seen from inside.

Crittall windows were installed overlooking the garden. These can be fully opened to appreciate the lush view, and the pivot door provides a close connection between the inside and out, helped by the concrete floor which continues outside to form the garden steps and terraces. Indoors, the materials are kept simple, robust and light to allow the garden to be the focal point.

Project: Banana Tree House Location: London, England Design firm: Yard Architects | www.yardarchitects.co.uk Project size: 150 sq-m

The modern addition of Crittal windows in the revamped rear portion of the home are appropriate for both its heritage as well as the lifestyle of its occupants