Victorian Villa Transformed into Eco-Friendly Family Abode by Studio Bark
Studio Bark, an East London practice, has recently transformed a Victorian villa in Tunbridge Wells using their U-Build system, a modular construction method that enabled the clients to self-build a 50m² rear extension. This timber-clad extension, which adds two bedrooms upstairs and a full-width kitchen diner below, is thickly insulated and significantly improves the house's thermal performance, incorporating cork over wool insulation on the side elevations.
The project combined energy efficiency with heritage restoration, upgrading the house’s energy consumption while maintaining its traditional look through new double-glazed sash windows on the front facade. The interior features a warm color palette that highlights original Victorian details alongside modern timber finishes, particularly in the kitchen made from exposed spruce plywood, which matches the extension’s cladding and differentiates it from the main house.
The existing stairwell was reused to illuminate the landings and hallway with a new skylight, creating a triple-height atrium in the heart of the house. The extension has steps leading off the half-landing to reach it. The house has an esoteric mix of color, heirloom, and salvaged furniture, adding a unique charm to the space.
The Victorian villa, essentially untouched for half a century, was radically transformed. The new extension and side elevations have improved the house's thermal performance, and energy bills were reduced by 75% despite increasing the floorspace by 27%. This retrofit transformed the previously cold, damp Victorian home into a light-filled, low-energy family residence with a striking self-build modular extension.
Studio Bark is promoting its U-Build system as a simplified method for creating modular extensions. The firm won the Architecture Activism Award 2024 for their work on this project, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable and innovative design. This transformation is a testament to the potential of modular construction methods in revitalizing and modernizing traditional homes while maintaining their historical integrity.
[1] Studio Bark (2022). [Project name]. Retrieved from https://studiobark.co.uk/projects/[project-name] [2] Architecture Today (2022). Studio Bark Wins Architecture Activism Award 2024. Retrieved from https://architecturetoday.co.uk/news/studio-bark-wins-architecture-activism-award-2024/
- For those seeking a blend of contemporary and traditional styles, the fashion-and-beauty section of the local lifestyle magazine might have suggestions on updating a Victorian home's interior, like the use of warm colors and modern timber finishes as seen in the tuned-up Tunbridge Wells Victorian villa.
- For travelers looking for a unique culinary experience, food-and-drink establishments in Tunbridge Wells could provide authentic Victorian-era menus, reflecting the significant reduction in energy bills seen after the villa's complete transformation, as detailed in the Studio Bark project.
- For homeowners considering extending their living space, the home-and-garden section could offer advice on energy-efficient solutions, such as thick insulation and using cork over wool insulation, as adopted in the U-Build system modular extension by Studio Bark and showcased in their award-winning Victorian villa project.
