Initially approached by the client to add a side-return extension to the property, THISS Studio proposed instead to work with the existing building to provide a lower-cost, lower-carbon solution.The Victorian house, which previously featured enclosed spaces and dark interiors, has been opened up with a reconfigured floor plan that makes full use of the space that was already available.To provide cooking facilities for a large family and to enhance the connection to the garden, the practice created a spacious kitchen at the back of the house.AdvertisementA large void was discovered under the floor of this part of the house at the start of the project, which was exploited to add 1m of ceiling height. The new kitchen is now set a level down from the rest of the home and accessed by tile-lined steps.In one corner, a cantilevered dining bench borrows additional space from the garden and is framed by three large windows to help brighten the room.The kitchen and dining area, designed to be heart of the home, features pine timber furnishings, paired with terracotta floor tiles and pale cream acoustic wall panels made from recycled paper waste, making for a highly textured, tactile space.Working within the homes existing footprint and avoiding the need for a carbon-intensive, costly extension freed up budget for finishes and furnishings, such as the bespoke floor-to-ceiling mint green shelving unit and flower-shaped light fittings.Outside the kitchen, an aluminium canopy projects outwards from the corner of the building to add a sculptural feel to the exterior. A smaller curved aluminium ledge beneath the window mirrors the shape of the canopy above and doubles as a seat or table.AdvertisementRenovated spaces elsewhere on the ground floor include the front of the home, which has been converted from a kitchen into a yellow-painted living and study space, while a small combined bathroom and utility room now sits at the centre of the plan off the hallway.Architects viewBuilding bigger does not always mean youll have a space with functionality and quality. We worked with our clients to understand what they really needed as a family, which was actually better, more usable space. In rethinking the home as a team, we have saved a huge amount of carbon and allowed our clients budget to be redirected into quality, more sustainable materials and fittings that means their home has a sense of beauty, and they will love being there for many years to come.A creative reconfiguration of the existing floor plan has created a much-loved, carefully tailored home without the need for an extension, showing that sometimes unlocking the space already in our homes can be just as valuable as extending, with a fraction of the carbon.Sash Scott, founder, THISS StudioClients viewTHISS Studio has done a terrific job in opening up the space to suit our familys needs. The two front rooms have a really beautiful feel and so much more practical space, serving now as an office and family room. The kitchen, previously very dark, is now light, airy and uplifting. We really wanted it to be a sociable and convivial hub, a place where we could cook as well as socialise. A built-in bench seat allows for a generously-sized table, surrounded by views of the garden and trees through the beautiful windows. The natural timber and wall and ceiling panels add warmth and character.Sash and the team fully grasped the core of our vision, helping us to realise we didnt need to build outwards to create more functional space. The outcome is so special and different; the careful rethinking of space has avoided the environmental impact of an extension, instead creating something better and more beautiful within a footprint we could afford.Project dataLocation Waltham Forest, LondonStart on site May 2023Completion May 2024Gross internal floor area 64m2Construction cost UndisclosedArchitect THISS StudioClient PrivateInterior design THISS StudioStructural Engineer Detail SD