Can a rooftop extension made from sustainable materials celebrate the existing character of a Victorian home?

[Y/N] Studio was asked to consider how to extend and improve a traditional Victorian terraced family house in Hackney. The project explores how a contemporary rooftop extension can sit comfortably within its historic context while improving the environmental performance of the home through the considered use of natural, renewable and recycled materials.

Despite a simple external form, the new spaces are organised to maximise light and volume. A new L-shaped staircase is introduced to the centre of the plan, creating a double-height lobby illuminated by a large rooflight above. This vertical space brings daylight deep into the house and forms the spatial focus of the extension.

The upper level accommodates a master bedroom with exposed timber soffits and bespoke timber panelling that incorporates an integrated dressing table. A study is located beneath the pitch of the existing roof, with a desk positioned under the slope and an internal window overlooking the double-height stair. A compact shower room is naturally lit by a rooflight, enhancing the sense of space.

Externally, the dormer walls are clad in recycled plastic tiles selected for their environmental performance and their visual relationship to natural slate. This allows the extension to harmonise with the existing dark-painted window reveals and weathered London stock brickwork. New double-glazed windows are finished externally in dark grey aluminium.

Internally, the loft extension is unified by a consistent palette of Douglas fir, used in wall panelling, bespoke joinery, wardrobes, exposed joists and large-format floorboards. Other finishes are deliberately restrained, including plasterboard walls, white porcelain tiles and recycled plastic surfaces. The continuous use of timber creates a cohesive sequence of calm, connected spaces rather than a series of discrete rooms.

A ground floor extension clad in quarry tiles is due to start on site in 2026.

Tile House, Phase 2 is due to start onsite in 2026.

Coopersale Road
Location: Hackney, London
Type: Residential, Extension
Size: 32m²
Client: Confidential
Status: Built
Date: 2021-2025

Collaborators
Architect: [Y/N] Studio
Project Team: Alex Smith, Maegan Icke, Elena Gruber, Inas El Ferkhsi
Structural Engineer: Simple Works
Main Contractor: John Goudie

Photography is by French + Tye.