A refined rear ground floor extension in Neasden, designed to accommodate a linear open-plan kitchen that serves both functional needs and spatial atmosphere. Measuring 4 metres in depth, the extension was developed through a series of design iterations, exploring various spatial arrangements and relationships before arriving at an optimal layout tailored to the client’s daily routines and aspirations.

The final design balances openness with warmth, using biophilic principles to bring natural materials and sensory richness into the space. The kitchen layout is oriented toward the garden, with a long, uninterrupted counter running along one side and framed by a glazed splashback that invites views and daylight across the work surface.

A palette of slatted timber cladding, natural wood cabinetry, and soft, tactile finishes adds warmth and texture, while large bi-folding doors maximise indoor-outdoor flow. Overhead, skylights draw in soft natural light throughout the day, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and enhancing the emotional quality of the interior.

This extension demonstrates how even modest additions can be elevated through careful design development, material sensibility, and a clear connection to nature — transforming a once-enclosed rear kitchen into a bright, nurturing, and highly functional heart of the home.