Metroland House, a 1950s Arts and Crafts style family home, stands as a stunning example of how traditional clay products can be used to create a fresh, contemporary design. Led by Dominic McKenzie Architects, the project extends and remodels the house while staying true to the area's 'Metroland dream' of blending rural tranquility with urban sophistication.
A central, light-filled extension forms the new heart of the home, containing the kitchen, dining room and a seating area. The design’s success lies in its intricate detailing and a clever use of materials that balance both urban and rural influences creating a striking exterior that uses high-quality, traditional clay materials in a bold new way.Â
A Connection Between New and Old
The project's key feature is the unique use of Ketley Brick's 11mm Linium bricks. These slender clay bricks add intricate detailing that would be impossible to achieve with conventional brickwork. They accentuate the horizontal lines of the design and add a rustic, artisanal quality that echoes the original Arts and Crafts style of the house. As the homeowner notes, the bricks "speak to a small detail in the original... providing a connection between the new and the old."
The roof of the extension, which matches the original house's pitch, is clad in coordinating Staffordshire Red Dreadnought handmade plain tiles manufacturered in the same factory as the Linium bricks. They get their organic clay tones from the traditional firing process, without the use of artificial pigments creating a natural appearance that perfectly harmonises with the new garden and reflecting pool.
A low retaining garden wall, also clad in the distinctive Linium bricks, further integrates the new extension with the landscaped gardens. The overall effect is a cohesive design where every detail has been thoughtfully considered.
This project beautifully demonstrates how the rich heritage of clay building products can be applied in innovative ways to deliver a sophisticated, high-quality finish that is both timeless and modern.
Brick Bulletin | Feature 267
