Studio Colab

Tooting House
ONE STOREY REAR EXTENSION WITH Oriel Window

Location:
Colliers Wood, South-West London
Internal area:
112m² (5m² Increase)
Description:
Internal reconfiguration of ground and first floor, single storey rear extension and oriel window.

Overview OF Tooting HOUSE

The projects aim was to transform the home’s relationship with its garden and creating more flexible living spaces.

Previously, the ground floor was divided into small, poorly connected rooms, with a narrow kitchen and limited access to daylight at the rear.

While the front of the house benefitted from large sash windows, the back was dark and confined.

To address this, the we inserted a single-storey rear extension that houses a new open-plan kitchen and breakfast bar, designed for entertaining. The plan features floor-to-ceiling crittall-style glazing and skylights, all positioned in a rhythmic pattern determined by the height of the kitchen worktops. This language continues through the new oriel window and glazed side entrance.

The new window bay includes seating and improves circulation in the kitchen.

The steel supports of the oriel were designed to align with the glazing frames to give the appearance of a unified structure.

The bay window was also carefully designed to meet both internal and external spatial requirements. Retaining a secondary access route to the rear garden was important to the clients, so the oriel projects outward without obstructing the side passage.

A key visual feature of the project is the green zinc canopy, which wraps around the side and rear of the extension. Designed to resemble oxidised copper, the canopy offers passive shading and weather protection while framing views to the garden. A tapered edge conceals a hidden gutter system and reduces the perceived visual weight of the roof.

To optimise light levels throughout the year, we used daylight simulation modelling to set the correct angles for the canopy.

Internally, the renovation focused on clear zoning between public and private areas. The utility space was relocated to a cupboard on the first-floor landing, freeing up space in the kitchen and aligning the laundry area with the bedrooms where most washing is generated and it helped clarify the separation between living and sleeping areas.

Before the renovation began, the homeowners had already stripped the interiors back to brick and opened the floors and ceilings, giving the architects a blank canvas to work from.

See other single storey rear extensions by Studio Colab.

Close-up of a modern rear extension at Tooting House, showing a green standing-seam zinc canopy, reclaimed yellow London stock brickwork, a globe wall light, and slim-profile aluminium glazing.
Tooting House White Model on black background
Tooting House White Model on black background
Tooting House, designed by Studio Colab, represents a sophisticated evolution of the traditional Edwardian end-of-terrace home.
Located at the intersection of Tooting and Colliers Wood within the Borough of Merton, this project delivers a masterclass in how modern architectural interventions can respect and enhance period properties.
The heart of the transformation is a striking single-storey rear extension defined by its material integrity and climate-conscious design. The exterior is wrapped in reclaimed yellow London stock brickwork, ensuring the new addition feels like a natural progression of the original structure.
This heritage palette is punctuated by a bold, contemporary green zinc canopy. More than just a visual statement, this feature acts as a passive shading device, regulating solar gain through the expansive aluminium glazing while inviting a soft, diffused light into the living spaces.
Inside, the boundary between house and garden is blurred by high-performance Crittall-style doors. A bespoke oriel window provides a dedicated nook for reflection, framing views of the landscaped garden and adding a sculptural quality to the facade.
The interior refurbishment prioritizes flow and functionality, creating an open-plan kitchen and dining area that caters to the demands of modern family life without sacrificing the charm of the Edwardian era.
For London homeowners seeking inspiration for their own period property refurbishment, Tooting House demonstrates the impact of high-quality materials and thoughtful “passive first” design.
By combining industrial-inspired glazing with traditional masonry and sustainable metalwork, Studio Colab has created a residence that is both architecturally significant and deeply “home.”
Our Process: Sensitive Transformation
At Studio Colab, we believe that refurbishing a period property is a balancing act between preservation and progression.
Our approach to projects like Tooting House begins with a deep architectural analysis of the existing Edwardian fabric. We identify core heritage features to protect while pinpointing opportunities for structural “release”—creating the open, light-filled volumes that modern life demands.
Our methodology is rooted in Material Continuity. Rather than simply “bolting on” an extension, we reclaimed materials, such as London stock brick, to ensure a seamless visual dialogue between old and new.
This is paired with a Climate-First Strategy, where we integrate passive design elements like the solar-shading green zinc canopy into the earliest sketches.
By managing light and thermal performance at the design stage, we ensure your home is as sustainable as it is beautiful.
From the first planning application to the final bespoke detail, we navigate the complexities of South West London’s planning constraints to deliver a home that honors its past while securing its future.

Tooting House Videos

Team

Architect: Studio Colab
Structural Engineer: Blue Engineers
Contractor: Tutka Building Services Ltd
Photography: Tim Crocker and Fabian Danker

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