Brick and Oak House
2021-2023
Islington, London
with Boito Sarno Architects
While Victorian houses traditionally relied on masonry and timber, modern extensions often introduce steel and concrete, driving up embodied carbon. This project reimagines terrace house extensions with a sustainable twist, using timber and eliminating concrete. Foundations are built with reusable screw piles, and a rainwater harvesting pond also serves as a retaining wall. The design showcases exposed timber and demountable connections, promoting flexibility and minimizing waste. Embodied carbon is slashed to just a quarter of standard extensions, and thanks to timber's carbon sequestration, emissions drop even further to 145 kgCO2e/m².
Photos by Mitzi de Margary and James Sebright
In line with the New London Agenda’s focus on sustainability and long-term resilience, this project exemplifies innovative design strategies to drastically reduce embodied carbon while maintaining architectural integrity. Victorian terrace houses traditionally relied on masonry and timber, but this project challenges modern building practices by avoiding high-emission materials like concrete and steel wherever possible. The foundation uses screw piles, which are easily dismantled and reusable, connected by steel beams that support the structure in a low-impact, circular approach. This aligns with the agenda’s goal of promoting reuse and adaptability. Timber, a renewable material with lower embodied carbon, is used throughout the structure, including a charred timber frame for fire protection, supporting the goal of sustainable construction. The project's emphasis on natural insulation materials like sheep wool and woodfibre furthers the agenda’s commitment to healthier building materials, improving air quality and reducing environmental harm.
The integration of a rainwater harvesting pond, doubling as a retaining structure, also demonstrates a circular use of water resources, contributing to climate resilience and reducing water demand on the local infrastructure. In terms of design for future generations, the flexibility of demountable and exposed timber connections ensures that the structure can be easily modified or recycled at the end of its lifecycle, reducing long-term environmental impact. The use of timber as a primary material significantly reduces embodied carbon, achieving emissions four times lower than a typical extension. When accounting for carbon sequestration, this drops even further, showcasing a holistic approach to carbon management that contributes to London’s net zero goals.
