LIVING IN A gorgeous Georgian house is a bit of a dream to many of us – but it can also come with its own challenges when it comes to extension or renovation.

For one thing, such structures are often protected and any changes heavily legislated – but it can also be a feat to have a new extension sit well with such historical grandeur.

Source: RWKA.com

Architect Ryan Kennihan of RWKA explains that he took the original house layout – a protected structure that comprised a centre hall, double-fronted building and two rectilinear rooms at upper ground floor level – as a starting point.

And so this extension’s deep facade is constructed from similar bricks to those used in the original building. There is a symmetry that mirrors that of the rear wall of the house and plays up the central stair window.

Source: Ryan W Kennihan Architects via Alice Clancy

But have you spotted the innovative ‘curtain’ solution to the right of the extension on the ground floor?

Look again, this time with the shutters closed across:

Source: Ryan W Kennihan Architects via Alice Clancy

The homeowners asked for a timber screen for the winter months. The delicate patterned shutters slide between the outer and inner columns as needed:

Source: Alice Clancy via RWKA.com

The shutters and a bespoke table reflect the Douglas Fir ceiling inside – the ceiling joists are tightly spaced “to allow for an extremely slender structural build up”:

Source: RWKA.com via Alice Clancy

Source: RWKA.com via Alice Clancy

There is white-stained birch veneer, white terrazzo floors and counters:

Source: RWKA.com via Alice Clancy

• To see more work from Ryan W Kennihan Architects, click here>
• Architectural photographer Alice Clancy’s work can be seen here>

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