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A terraced house in South London shaped around a central rooflight, where split levels flow into one continuous interior.
Located in Dulwich, South London, this typical terraced house has been transformed with an unconventional design approach. The client tasked architecture firm ConForm with the redesign of the home he shares with his two teenage sons. To complete the project, the studio drew inspiration from the Japanese concept of komorebi, which refers to the quiet, warm sight of filtered sunlight passing through leaves. And the result? A light-filled living space where split levels flow into one another and tactile materials give a rich character to every room.
From the street, the building looks inconspicuous among other brick terraced houses. Walking inside, however, one uncovers beautifully dynamic interiors with horizontal and vertical layers that create a cohesive rhythm. At the center, the architects expanded an existing rooflight to enhance both a vertical void and the amount of natural light reaching the heart of the home. The play of shadow and light accentuates the materiality of the palette that includes white-painted brick, solid oak, concrete, ceppo di gre, and perforated steel.
The project focused on establishing clear sightlines as well as a cohesive spatial experience. For example, the kitchen offers a direct view of the living area on a lower level and then to the garden. Open stair threads allow light to pass through as they lead to the upper floors.
“The house already had interesting light and level changes, things that felt special rather than awkward – although they weren’t particularly celebrated or experienced. We didn’t want to iron them out. Instead, we leaned into them and used them to guide how the family could live more naturally and feel connected, even while doing different things on different floors,” says Ben Edgley, Director, ConForm.
The house boasts three floors. At the rear, new extensions expand the living spaces while giving a nod to the neighborhood’s architectural elements. The top floor houses a pod room for the boys, while the middle level features a vaulted study for the father. On the ground floor, an open counter flows from the kitchen to the dining area and the living room, linking the shared spaces. Generous glazing connects this level to the terrace and garden.
ConForm also designed custom joinery for Komorebi, optimizing the available space. Outside, the garden boasts stone flooring and wood fencing that create continuity with the material palette used throughout the interiors. Striking and cleverly designed, this remodeled family home connects daily life through precisely positioned volumes and voids, all bathed in natural light. Photography© James Retief.
