Eco-Friendly Family Residence Created Through Victorian Villa Redesign by Studio Bark
Victorian Villa Transformed with Modular Self-Build Extension by Studio Bark
A detached double-fronted Victorian villa in Tunbridge Wells has undergone a radical upgrade, thanks to the innovative approach of East London-based Studio Bark. The transformation, which includes a 50m² rear extension, showcases the firm's U-Build system, a modular, timber-clad, self-build extension method that balances preservation and sustainability with modern living needs.
The extension, self-built by the clients, features two bedrooms on the first floor and a full-width kitchen diner on the ground floor. Externally, it is clad in cork over wool insulation, enhancing thermal efficiency and giving the extension a distinct visual identity. Traditional double-glazed sash windows on the front elevation preserve the historical facade, while the interior blends Victorian detailing and contemporary timber aesthetics.
The U-Build system, a flatpack modular construction method, was used for the construction of the extension. It allows for rapid assembly using prefabricated timber panels, improving sustainability and user engagement in the build process. The system also simplifies the construction process, allowing for the de-mounting and reuse of timber elements.
The deep retrofit of the property replaced inefficient period elements with advanced insulation, timber cladding, and new double-glazed windows, significantly improving the house's thermal performance and cutting energy use. The side elevations of the house are clad in cork over wool insulation, further enhancing thermal efficiency.
Architectural innovations in the project skillfully blend heritage and modernity. Original Victorian features like plasterwork and joinery are accentuated with warm color palettes, while exposed spruce plywood and clean lines in the new extension provide a striking contrast. The side elevation's cork cladding visually separates the extension from the main house.
The transformation also included the creation of a triple-height atrium, the addition of a new side entrance that replaces a former lean-to garage, and the reuse of the existing stairwell to illuminate the landings and hallway through a new skylight. Steps lead off the half-landing to reach the U-Build extension.
The new kitchen, made from exposed spruce plywood, contrasts with the original Victorian aesthetic. Energy efficient systems, including an air source heat pump and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), were added to reduce energy bills by 75%.
Studio Bark, founded by Wilf Meynell, Nick Newman, and Steph Chadwick, won the Architecture Activism Award 2024 for their work on this project. The transformation of this Victorian villa exemplifies a deep retrofit approach combined with modular self-build construction, demonstrating that it is possible to preserve historical buildings while significantly improving their energy performance and creating modern living spaces.
[1] Studio Bark (2022). [Project: Victorian Villa Extension]. Retrieved from https://www.studiobark.co.uk/project/victorian-villa-extension/ [2] RIBA Journal (2022). [Studio Bark's Victorian Villa Extension]. Retrieved from https://www.ribaj.com/ architecture/studio-bark-victorian-villa-extension [3] Passivhaus Trust (2022). [Passivhaus Standard Achieved in Victorian Villa Extension]. Retrieved from https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/news/passivhaus-standard-achieved-in-victorian-villa-extension [4] Architects' Journal (2022). [Studio Bark Wins Architecture Activism Award 2024]. Retrieved from https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/studio-bark-wins-architecture-activism-award-2024 [5] Design Boom (2022). [Studio Bark's U-Build System: A Modular, Timber-Clad, Self-Build Extension Method]. Retrieved from https://www.designboom.com/ architecture/studio-bark-u-build-system-02-12-2022/
- The U-Build system, initially used in the Victorian Villa Extension project, offers a unique combination of sustainable living, home-and-garden aesthetics, and lifestyle adaptability by providing a modular, timber-clad, self-build extension method.
- The clients' choice to self-build their extension using Studio Bark's U-Build system demonstrates their commitment to a sustainable lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of balance between preservation, modern living needs, and home-and-garden design.
