Terzetto House by ConForm Architects: Modern Transformation of a Garden Flat in London

In the historic conservation areas of London, architects ConForm Architects transformed a gracious garden flat into the Terzetto House, an elegant and textured residence that flows seamlessly into a vibrant backyard garden. Reimagining ornate Victorian terrace windows, the architects introduced a modern sloped side extension, angled to minimize impact on neighbors while maintaining visual harmony with the street character.

Context and Design Approach

The existing flat suffered from low ceilings, dark interiors, and poor connection to the garden. The clients, long-time supporters of ConForm's work, sought an exquisite reimagining that would maximize natural light and redirect living spaces toward the southern garden.

Inspired by Victorian terrace architectural vocabulary, the extension concept reinterprets the traditional façade window. Designed as a sloped side, its form reduces volume while creating new space between the house and garden.

Architectural Composition

The design draws on the three-part composition of classical façade elements — plinth, column, and pilaster, expressed through different materials:

• Plinth: A concrete floor provides a continuous line throughout the house.

• Columns: Elegant elements made from green terrazzo cladding add color, texture, and structural clarity.

• Pilaster: A clay plaster plane completes the composition with warmth and tactility.

Inside, a sequence of clerestory windows, lanterns, and glass openings organizes views and natural light, gently guiding the eye toward the garden.

Spatial Organization and Functionality

The reconfigured layout optimizes both lifestyle and property value:

• Living spaces: Relocated toward the garden, opening onto a terrace bounded by a continuous plinth.

• Bedrooms: Expanded through thoughtful design, including lanterns and clerestory windows that bring light and ventilation to previously closed rooms.

• Flexible layout: A concealed three-panel sliding door allows the leisure area to be transformed into a sitting room or cozy space.

Materials and Detailing

The contrast of materials enriches the interior. On the kitchen, light oak cabinets with perimeter details balance functionality and aesthetics. A large trapezoidal lantern directs daylight deep into the plan, illuminating a central artistic wall while preserving privacy from neighboring plots.

The leisure area is defined by concrete slabs, terrazzo details, and clay plaster, creating a textured and amphitheater-like ambiance. The seating, designed in harmony with three support lines, blurs the boundaries between inside and outside, emphasizing its connection to the garden.

The Terzetto House demonstrates ConForm Architects' ability to solve spatial challenges with conceptual clarity and material richness. Drawing on the legacy of Victorian architecture while incorporating modern details, the project offers elegant and well-lit housing that harmoniously integrates with its natural surroundings.