The architect and designer Guy Derwent was approached by his client with a clear and compelling brief: to completely transform a grand Victorian terrace house they were planning to renovate. The client envisioned something far beyond a standard renovation – this was to be a bold and dramatic reimagining of a family home that could grow with them over time. With the property having remained largely untouched for more than fifty years, the architects saw an opportunity to unlock its potential and deliver a contemporary design that would contrast beautifully with its Victorian heritage. The existing layout consisted of a series of small, disconnected rooms to the rear of the house. To respond to the client’s need for openness and flexibility, the architect proposed a radical restructuring of the ground floor: The rear rooms were completely removed Suspended timber floors were lowered by up to two metres to align with the garden Two bold extensions were added The first extension filled in the side return with a London stock brick facade and a glazed roof, while the second – a striking black steel and glass pavilion was glazed on three sides and placed along the garden elevation. This new pavilion redefined the building’s relationship with the garden. Its steel-framed glazing created a seamless dialogue between interior and exterior, offering a sense of immersion in the surrounding landscape. At the heart of the plan sits a dramatic, five-metre-tall dining space that acts as a transition from the original entrance hall into the new addition. A large, circular cast-glass window, framed in steel, provides a visual and spatial link between old and new, allowing light and movement to travel through the depth of the home. Throughout the project, a series of black metal elements were introduced as sculptural interventions – each marking moments of transformation within the house. These included the bespoke steel framed circular window, a custom metal staircase, a cylindrical support column, and the striking steel and glass garden pavilion. Together, they formed a coherent architectural language that underscored the project’s bold intent. Our steel windows and doors played a vital role in delivering the project’s vision. The architects chose steel for its refined sight lines and distinctive material character, which helped bridge the gap between the historical context of the building and the bold new additions. The black steel frames provided a crisp contrast to the pale London stock brick and added definition to the glazed pavilion, reinforcing the sense of architectural precision. In particular, the fine steel profiles of the garden room allowed the extension to feel both lightweight and immersive, blurring the boundary between the house and its garden. The architect drew inspiration from the Bauhaus Movement, particularly the work of Walter Gropius, whose approach to functional beauty and industrial materials informed the design of the garden pavilion. Here, our glazing system was used not just for transparency, but as an expressive architectural element. The carefully proportioned panels help to conceal the roof thickness and reinforce the pavilion’s industrial yet abstract character – a deliberate nod to product design and modernist detailing. Sustainability was an important factor in the selection of materials. Our steel systems, made from 99% recycled content and 100% recyclable, aligned with the project’s broader environmental goals. The architects noted that this commitment to material longevity and circularity was central to their decision to use steel. The durability and recyclability of the windows and doors ensured the project met both aesthetic and ethical criteria. This London terrace house now stands as a celebration of contrast – between heritage and innovation, solidity and transparency, tradition and transformation. Our steel windows and doors were not simply components; they were essential tools in crafting a home that is as bold and expressive as it is functional. The result is a home designed for modern family life, where light, space, and materiality come together in perfect harmony.

Boxes were lined with additional geotextile to prevent soil leakage and preserve timbers. Note reinforcing "dead man" timber to reinforce bed construction. Photos by John Kelly of LandscapeConsultation.com

Large arts and crafts concrete screened-in back porch photo in Tampa with a roof extension

The Cicero is a modern styled home for today’s contemporary lifestyle. It features sweeping facades with deep overhangs, tall windows, and grand outdoor patio. The contemporary lifestyle is reinforced through a visually connected array of communal spaces. The kitchen features a symmetrical plan with large island and is connected to the dining room through a wide opening flanked by custom cabinetry. Adjacent to the kitchen, the living and sitting rooms are connected to one another by a see-through fireplace. The communal nature of this plan is reinforced downstairs with a lavish wet-bar and roomy living space, perfect for entertaining guests. Lastly, with vaulted ceilings and grand vistas, the master suite serves as a cozy retreat from today’s busy lifestyle. Photographer: Brad Gillette

Bates Masi Architects LLC
Trendy medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in New York with open cabinets and metal backsplash

Brooklyn backyard with pergola, built in children's activity wall, blue stone paving with synthetic grass inserts for the play area with swings. Outdoor storage boxes double up as benches.

Ghost fern. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Eclectic home design photo in Charlotte

This 1850s farmhouse in the country outside NY underwent a dramatic makeover! Dark wood molding was painted white, shiplap added to the walls, wheat-colored grasscloth installed, and carpets torn out to make way for natural stone and heart pine flooring. We based the palette on quintessential American colors: red, white, and navy. Rooms that had been dark were filled with light and became the backdrop for cozy fabrics, wool rugs, and a collection of art and curios. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg See this project featured in Home & Design Magazine here: http://www.homeanddesign.com/2016/12/21/farmhouse-fresh

How do you expand an L shaped Eichler with the challenge of extending a long dark entry? Klopf Architecture's solution, to design a light filled atrium in the hallway to open up the bedroom expansion with green plants, sky lights and a glass wall. Not to mention the thoughtfulness of a blind door with wood siding similar to the rest of the home. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Geoff Campen, Jeffrey Prose, and Angela Todorova Contractor: William Lowe Construction Photography ©2013 Mariko Reed Location: Palo Alto, CA Year completed: 2013

Halkin Mason Photography
Trendy indoor rectangular pool house photo in Philadelphia

Tessa Neustadt
Example of a dining room design in New York

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun front yard concrete paver driveway in Miami.

Staircase - traditional painted u-shaped staircase idea in Other with painted risers

Photo of an eclectic landscaping in Detroit.

WHITE STEEL REINFORCED VINYL DOUBLE -R/V - DRIVEWAY GATE WITH EXTERNAL PYRAMID CAP - ULTRA-LOW MAINTENANCE - VINYL CONCEPTS, INC. 1270 Rancho Conejo Blvd. Newbury Park, CA 91320 805-499-8154 sales@vinylconcepts.com

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard stamped concrete patio remodel in Seattle with a fire pit

Tricia Shay Photography
Kitchen - contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Milwaukee with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an undermount sink

Andrea Calo
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master bedroom remodel in Austin with yellow walls

The Cicero is a modern styled home for today’s contemporary lifestyle. It features sweeping facades with deep overhangs, tall windows, and grand outdoor patio. The contemporary lifestyle is reinforced through a visually connected array of communal spaces. The kitchen features a symmetrical plan with large island and is connected to the dining room through a wide opening flanked by custom cabinetry. Adjacent to the kitchen, the living and sitting rooms are connected to one another by a see-through fireplace. The communal nature of this plan is reinforced downstairs with a lavish wet-bar and roomy living space, perfect for entertaining guests. Lastly, with vaulted ceilings and grand vistas, the master suite serves as a cozy retreat from today’s busy lifestyle. Photographer: Brad Gillette