The Hartley House is a minimalist residence by the London-based architecture practice, THISS Studio. Set within a Victorian terraced home in East London, the project reworks the ground floor to introduce a greater sense of openness and light, transforming what was once a dark and cramped layout into a spacious residence for family living.
The design focuses on a careful reconfiguration of the existing plan, done by opening the rear up to bring in more natural light into kitchen and dining areas. There, a cantilevered dining bench is positioned along the back wall, framed by a series of oversized Douglas fir sash windows that draw in natural light and visually extend the space outward. At the center of the plan, a newly introduced powder room and utility area are also added, improving functionality without disrupting the flow of the interior. Beyond the ground floor, the rest of the home is restored to create a more intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
The materials used throughout also add a sense of warmth and groundedness, with the kitchen defined by rich, dark wood cabinetry and millwork, paired with terracotta-toned tiles. Meanwhile, in the new WC, soft green tiles create a sense of calm.
With Hartley House, THISS Studio demonstrates a people and material-led approach to design, where thoughtful spatial adjustments and a sensitivity to existing structures allow constraint to become an opportunity for creating light-filled, livable environments.
