Newton Park Place is a minimalist home located in London, United Kingdom, designed by ROAR. In the leafy London suburb of Chislehurst, a humble material choice tells a compelling story of architectural evolution. Here, where Ernest Newton’s Victorian craftsmanship once made its mark, ROAR authored a new chapter in sustainable residential design through their thoughtful use of European oak – a material that speaks both to the past and future of British architecture.
The extension’s genesis reveals an interesting pivot in the client’s journey. While Kelly Johnson initially envisioned the familiar London vernacular of brick and Crittall windows, ROAR’s intervention steered the project toward a bolder, more environmentally conscious direction. This decision exemplifies a broader shift in contemporary residential architecture, where sustainability increasingly takes precedence over conventional aesthetics.
What distinguishes this project is its nuanced approach to historical dialogue. Rather than mimicking the Victorian elements, as previous alterations had done, the new extension asserts its own temporal identity while maintaining a material harmony with its surroundings. The exposed oak frame, with its warm honeyed tones, creates a visual bridge between the structured formality of the Victorian architecture and the organic fluidity of Lily Gomm’s garden design.
The technical execution, realized in partnership with specialist joiner Tim Gaudin, demonstrates an impressive marriage of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary precision. The frame, prefabricated in Devon before being reassembled on site, showcases the enduring relevance of traditional joinery techniques in modern construction. The use of wood fiber insulation further reinforces the project’s commitment to natural materials and low embodied carbon.
