Light Cannon

Filling a Terrace House with Joy and Light: A Bright Renovation Triumph

When our clients approached us with their project, they didn't seek to expand the footprint of their small, dark terrace house. Instead, their vision was simple yet profound: to fill every corner of their home with joy and light. This brief set the stage for a transformative architectural journey that would reimagine the existing space, embracing both its constraints and potential.

Embracing Constraints: A Site Full of Challenges

Nestled tightly between neighbouring structures, the terrace house presented a series of design challenges. The site’s compact nature and the surrounding buildings limited the available options for traditional extensions or expansions. Nevertheless, our clients' enthusiasm for entertaining and their desire for a kitchen and dining area that celebrated cooking and feasting fueled our creative process.

Finding Light: The Birth of the 'Light Cannons'

The breakthrough came through meticulous modeling of the site and its surroundings. We envisioned a compact rear addition dedicated to the new kitchen and dining area. But the magic lay in how we topped this extension: with two sculpted roof forms that we affectionately call 'light cannons.' These architectural elements reach above the neighbouring walls, capturing northern daylight and channeling it directly into the heart of the space.

The light cannons do more than illuminate; they architecturally define the area, adding grandeur and volume to what was once a confined and dark environment. By flooding the kitchen and dining room with natural light, they transform the space into a radiant hub of activity and joy, embodying our clients' vision.

Maximizing Minimal Space: Twenty-Two Square Metres of Transformation

Although the rear addition adds a modest twenty-two square metres, its impact is profound. This carefully designed space allowed us to reconfigure the existing rooms, bringing clarity and comfort to the entire home. The new layout ensures that every square metre is utilized efficiently, enhancing the flow and functionality of the house.

Harmonizing Old and New: A Seamless Transition

One of the most striking aspects of the renovation is the seamless integration of old and new. While the modern addition stands out with its innovative design, a remnant fireplace from the original structure serves as a bridge between the two. This historical element not only stitches the old and new together but also marks the transition, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.

Light and Joy: The Essence of the Transformation

The transformation of this terrace house is a testament to the power of thoughtful, innovative design. By focusing on light and joy, we were able to overcome the constraints of the site and deliver a space that celebrates our clients' love for cooking, entertaining, and living life to the fullest. The light cannons, with their sculptural elegance, encapsulate the essence of the renovation, turning a small, dark house into a luminous home filled with warmth and happiness.

A New Chapter: Living in Light

As our clients move through their revitalized home, they do so under the gentle illumination of their light cannons. The new kitchen and dining area, once a dream, now serves as the heart of their home, where they can entertain friends and family, cook elaborate meals, and create cherished memories. The renovation has not only met their expectations but exceeded them, showing that sometimes, the most profound transformations come not from adding space, but from adding light and joy.

This project is a shining example of how architecture can profoundly impact the way we live, transforming spaces and enriching lives. By embracing constraints and thinking creatively, we have filled this terrace house with the one thing our clients desired most: an abundance of joy and light.