Kenton Road House
Victorian Side Return Extension & Kitchen Renovation in Hackney, East London
This Victorian terrace renovation in Hackney’s Well Street Conservation Area transformed a dated and underused property into a bright, open-plan family home. Completed in 2024, the project combined a rear side infill extension, full internal refurbishment and garden landscaping to create a cohesive, contemporary living space within a historic setting.
When Studio : MASS was appointed, planning permission had already been secured. The practice developed the full technical design package, managed Building Regulations compliance and oversaw construction through to completion, ensuring the approved scheme was delivered to a high standard.
The original ground floor layout was fragmented, with a small side-facing kitchen, an outdated rear WC and utility, and a makeshift conservatory with a polycarbonate roof. These elements were removed and replaced with a unified side return extension that opens up the entire rear of the house.
The new kitchen-diner forms the heart of the home, creating a spacious, light-filled environment suited to modern family life and entertaining. By opening the rear of the property and improving circulation, the extension establishes a direct connection between kitchen, dining space and front reception rooms, allowing the house to feel both larger and more cohesive.
A new ground floor bathroom was introduced off the entrance hallway, discreetly integrated within the existing footprint. At first floor level, the previously compact bathroom was reconfigured into a contemporary shower room, significantly improving functionality for everyday use.
Externally, the garden was redesigned with stepped terraces and integrated planters, creating usable outdoor zones that complement the interior. The result is a seamless indoor-outdoor flow — ideal for summer gatherings and family living.
This Hackney side return extension demonstrates how thoughtful design, technical precision and careful construction can revitalise a Victorian terrace, enhancing both lifestyle and long-term property value while respecting its conservation area context.
This Victorian terrace renovation in Hackney’s Well Street Conservation Area transformed a dated and underused property into a bright, open-plan family home. Completed in 2024, the project combined a rear side infill extension, full internal refurbishment and garden landscaping to create a cohesive, contemporary living space within a historic setting.
When Studio : MASS was appointed, planning permission had already been secured. The practice developed the full technical design package, managed Building Regulations compliance and oversaw construction through to completion, ensuring the approved scheme was delivered to a high standard.
The original ground floor layout was fragmented, with a small side-facing kitchen, an outdated rear WC and utility, and a makeshift conservatory with a polycarbonate roof. These elements were removed and replaced with a unified side return extension that opens up the entire rear of the house.
The new kitchen-diner forms the heart of the home, creating a spacious, light-filled environment suited to modern family life and entertaining. By opening the rear of the property and improving circulation, the extension establishes a direct connection between kitchen, dining space and front reception rooms, allowing the house to feel both larger and more cohesive.
A new ground floor bathroom was introduced off the entrance hallway, discreetly integrated within the existing footprint. At first floor level, the previously compact bathroom was reconfigured into a contemporary shower room, significantly improving functionality for everyday use.
Externally, the garden was redesigned with stepped terraces and integrated planters, creating usable outdoor zones that complement the interior. The result is a seamless indoor-outdoor flow — ideal for summer gatherings and family living.
This Hackney side return extension demonstrates how thoughtful design, technical precision and careful construction can revitalise a Victorian terrace, enhancing both lifestyle and long-term property value while respecting its conservation area context.
Project Year: 2024
Project Cost: GBP 100,001 - GBP 150,000
