<\/p>\n
Atelier Baulier’s Twin Pitches project reimagines an underwhelming Edwardian house in Ealing into a vibrant, sustainable, and warmth-enhancing family residence through thoughtful extensions and eco-friendly interventions, demonstrating a new standard in heritage-conscious urban retrofit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
London-based architecture firm Atelier Baulier has recently completed the deep retrofit and extension of a once underwhelming Edwardian house in Ealing, transforming it into a vibrant, light-filled, and highly energy-efficient family home. Known as Twin Pitches, the project reflects the clients\u2019 ambition, Phoebe and Paul Sprinz, to enhance spatial quality and comfort while integrating sustainable, future-forward design principles. They aimed to create a “forever home,” reimagining the existing footprint with thoughtful architectural interventions that prioritise low-impact methods without compromising personality and warmth.<\/p>\n
The reconstruction included a 22.5-square-metre rear extension that accommodates the kitchen and a sunroom, blending open-plan living with separate sitting and snug areas to improve functionality and flow. The first floor comprises a master bedroom with an en-suite, a guest room, a study, and a family bathroom, while the loft houses two further bedrooms with significant storage capacity. Sustainability is central to the design, with features such as wood fibre insulation, double-glazed windows, underfloor heating, and an air source heat pump system providing heating and hot water. Notably, the rear extension is supported by screw piles, and materials like timber were chosen over steel to reduce the built structure\u2019s embodied carbon. The project also includes salvaged elements \u2014 such as a fireplace relocated to the sitting room \u2014 that add character while reducing waste.<\/p>\n
The investment in this retrofit was approximately \u00a3500,000, equating to a construction cost of about \u00a32,900 per square metre, which aligns with costs seen in similar mid-range sustainable house renovations in London. This approach exemplifies how careful planning allows the enhancement of older homes without resorting to wholesale demolition, a practice central to Atelier Baulier\u2019s ethos of preserving heritage while upgrading performance.<\/p>\n
Atelier Baulier\u2019s work on Twin Pitches aligns with a broader trend among London architects who focus on retrofitting older properties to meet modern standards of energy performance and sustainability. For instance, other projects in the area, such as the notable Chestnut Grove redevelopment in Ealing, have pursued PassivHaus standards using solid brick structures and high insulation levels to achieve ultra-low energy consumption. While Twin Pitches does not claim full PassivHaus status, its comprehensive use of high-performance insulation, efficient heating systems, and low embodied carbon materials places it well within the current agenda for climate-responsive architecture in the city.<\/p>\n
Their approach mirrors that of other forward-thinking retrofit projects across London, where interventions respect the architectural heritage while introducing contemporary efficiencies. For example, TYPE studio\u2019s retrofit of a listed Crescent House on the Golden Lane Estate exemplifies how sensitive planning and material selection can preserve historic character while vastly improving energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Similarly, a Victorian home renovation in Hackney incorporated fossil fuel-free heating systems, extensive insulation, and sustainable construction materials to reduce environmental impact, a model that resonates with the ethos underlying Twin Pitches.<\/p>\n
Atelier Baulier\u2019s portfolio further underscores their commitment to sustainable residential refurbishment. Their previous work includes thoughtful extensions and deep retrofits that improve spatial qualities while embracing environmental responsibility, often opting for natural, durable materials that age gracefully and support long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n
Twin Pitches ultimately demonstrates how an Edwardian house, once described as shabby and underperforming, can be transformed into a joyful, efficient, and warm family home that honours its past while embracing the future. This project stands as an example of the potential for architecture to enhance lives through design that respects heritage, improves comfort, and prioritises environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n