ArchStacks

Stone & Steel House

· London, United Kingdom

A Highbury home transformed with a stone-brick extension and stainless-steel glazed roof, merging earthy tones with refined metalwork.

Urban building with modern rooftop extension, large windows, and balcony with plants.
A multi-story urban building with a modern rooftop extension featuring large windows and a small balcony with plants.
exterior
Urban building with modern rooftop extension, large windows, and balcony with plants.Modern brick house extension with large windows and an open doorway leading to a dining area.Close-up of a building exterior with light-colored bricks and large glass windows framed by metal.A detailed view of a building corner with a metal-framed window and stone-brick facade.Building corner with stone-brick and traditional brick walls, featuring large metal-framed windows.House extension with light brick walls and large glass doors, showing a dining area inside and clerestory windows above.Exterior view of a modern building with light brick walls, large windows, and a garden.Modern building exterior with large windows and gray facade, surrounded by brick walls.Exterior view of a modern building with large windows and a partially open door, featuring a tiled courtyard and a brick wall.Modern building facade with glass windows and a planter box with grasses.Close-up of building exterior with brickwork and modern cladding, window, greenery, rooftops, chimneys, and dormer window.Interior dining area with a round black table, chairs, built-in shelves, and a fireplace.Living room with blue sofa, white shutters, and paper lantern.Interior room with round table, chairs, brick wall, and shelves with books.Dining area with table and chairs on hexagonal tiles, light brick walls, and glass door leading to garden.Interior of a dining area featuring a brick wall with built-in shelves, a pendant light, and a dining table with chairs.Interior dining area with light brick walls, a small table, chairs, pendant light, and clerestory windows.Modern dining area with table, chairs, pendant light, and clerestory windows.Interior dining area with open glass door, table with chairs on wheels, hexagonal tiles, and shelves with plants.Modern kitchen with stainless steel cabinets and a view of a garden through a glass door.Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and minimalist design.Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel elements, hexagonal tile floor, and a blue chair.Modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, white cabinets, brick wall, and hexagonal tile floor.Interior space with a brick wall, plant, and large windows at the top.Interior view of a dining area with a metal table, dark chairs, pendant light, and a door opening to a garden.Close-up of hexagonal floor tiles, glass door, and stone wall with plants in the foreground.Interior room with bay windows, a mannequin, and a cluttered worktable.Minimalist bathroom with freestanding bathtub, wooden stool, and double sink vanity.Minimalist interior with window, shutters, stool, and radiator.Interior view of a staircase with white railings and steps, and a potted plant on the landing.Close-up view of a staircase featuring a dark wooden newel post and a white metal handrail.Close-up of a ceiling with intersecting beams and a skylight.Minimalist white staircase with curved handrail and vertical balusters.Minimalist interior staircase with white walls and railing, leading to a closed door, with a plant visible.Minimalistic room with large windows, white curtains, a black chair, and a beige sofa.Small modern bathroom with green walls, round mirror, and white sink.Architectural model of a multi-story building with large rectangular openings and a flat roof.Scale model of a modern building with large windows and a flat roof.Model of a modern building with flat roof and rectangular openings.Architectural model of a modern building with large windows and minimalistic design.Model of an interior space with high ceilings and large windows, showcasing minimalist design.Interior view of a minimalistic architectural model with a table and large windows.Minimalist architectural model showing an interior with a table and large windows.Floor plan of a building with a rectangular layout and staircase.Black and white floor plan of a building with several rooms and a staircase.Black and white architectural floor plan with rooms and staircase.Black and white architectural floor plan of a house with a garden area.Black and white floor plan of a house with multiple rooms and a staircase.Architectural floor plan with multiple rooms, including a bathroom and staircase.Architectural floor plan in black and white showing room layout and staircase.Architectural floor plan with outlined rooms and spaces.Elevation drawing of a building showing multiple floors with brickwork on the lower levels and steel elements on the upper levels.Section drawing of a building with various levels and structural elements.Section drawing of a building showing multiple levels, a pitched roof, and a modern extension.Elevation drawing of a building with multiple windows and a chimney.Section drawing of a house illustrating interior layout and structural elements.

Architects

Location

Stone & Steel House

A vertical exploration of materiality and light

DGN Studio's transformation of a Highbury home for a fashion designer and medical research fellow explores the vertical potential of a constrained site. The project employs a stone-brick ground-floor extension capped with a lightweight stainless-steel glazed roof, maintaining a dialogue with its earthy London-brick context while embracing the sky.

The material palette transitions from thick stone, clay, and lime plaster on the lower levels to fine metalwork as one ascends. This progression was developed in collaboration with Sarah Izod, a Creative Director in experiential art, resulting in spaces that enhance daily rituals like cooking and gathering.

The existing house's limitations were addressed by a minimal rear extension, preserving the garden as an external room. The side infill-extension creates a double-height dining space, generating a sense of grandeur through stainless-steel framed clerestory windows.

Externally, sandstone bricks and site-cast concrete sills provide a robust presence, with stone-bricks offering a sustainable alternative to carbon-intensive materials. Internally, niches and bespoke steel shelves enhance functionality, while hexagonal clay tiles and a sculptural kitchen island define the kitchen's form and function.

The middle floors feature subtle upgrades, with a studio for the fashion designer and private bedrooms. A new stair introduces lightness, leading to a roof terrace with expansive views. The loft, a serene retreat, is complemented by a top-lit microcement ensuite.

Design Highlights

  • Stone-brick extension with stainless-steel glazed roof

  • Transition of materials from earthy tones to refined metalwork

  • Double-height dining space with clerestory windows

  • Sustainable construction with breathable wall systems

  • Bespoke storage solutions and sculptural kitchen design

Key Facts

Description Details
Location Highbury, North London
Architect DGN Studio
Completion Date Spring 2025
Overall GIA 206 sqm / 2217 sqft
Extension GIA GF 12 sqm / 120 sqft, Dormer 23 sqm / 248 sqft

In the realm of modern architecture, this project exemplifies the integration of materiality and spatial organization within an urban context, offering a refined yet grounded living environment.

Programs

—

Categories

modern architecture

Similar projects

More by tags →
No similar projects yet.

Projects by the architect

View DGN Studio →
No other projects found for this architect yet.