Rusty House On The Rye / Studio On The Rye

Architects: studio on the rye
Area: 106 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: French + Tye
Manufacturers: Duravit, Tom Dixon, Astro Lighting, Bromoco, Fluid Glass, Havwoods, Lazenby, SSAB, The Rooflight Company, Velfac
Planning Consultant: Hatton Planning
Structural Engineer: Structural Design Studio
Category: Houses, Extension
Design Team: studio on the rye
Architect: Sarah Borowiecka
City: London
Country: United Kingdom

Rusty House on the Rye residential extension by studio on the rye in Peckham, South London renovates a 1950s corner property in the Holly Grove Conservation Area into a contemporary home rooted in context. Initiated in 2023, the project was led by architect Sarah Borowiecka for a client who chose to expand rather than sell to developers. The brief included a two-story extension, a larger kitchen, utility room, snug, workspace, and master suite while retaining side access and enhancing garden connection. Weathered Corten steel cladding was selected over brick to complement the red brick of the existing house and add a distinctive material quality. The expansion uses monolithic forms with recessed details to differentiate old and new. Inside, the design includes bespoke ash joinery, oak flooring, concrete tiles, and custom corner windows responding to the site geometry. Challenges like Corten runoff were managed with sealants, while bespoke MDF shutters addressed blackout needs. A calm, minimalist interior was achieved with natural materials and ample daylight. The project reflects Borowiecka’s personal ties to the area and contributes a lasting architectural presence in Peckham.

Rusty house on the rye / studio on the rye

Rusty House on the Rye is a 1950s residence situated within the Holly Grove Conservation Area in Peckham, South London. Positioned at the corner of Bellenden Road and Rye Lane, its prominent location makes it highly visible from two major streets. The current owner, Victoria, purchased the property 14 years ago and was frequently approached by developers interested in acquiring the site for new construction. Instead, she chose to retain ownership and expand the house herself to better utilize the available space. The project began in early 2023, with Victoria expressing a strong preference to collaborate with a local, all-female team for both design and engineering. She appointed Sarah Borowiecka, a local architect and director of studio on the rye, to lead the project. The brief was clearly defined: a two-story extension was to be added, while preserving side access from the front garden to the rear. The existing garden played a central role in the vision and was integral to the overall design strategy. Moreover, the client requested a larger kitchen to support remote work, a snug, a utility room, and a new master bedroom. The existing structure also required essential upgrades, including resolving damp and ventilation problems and enhancing energy efficiency throughout the home.

Situated within a conservation area, the project encountered stricter regulations aimed at preserving the neighborhood’s historic character. To address these constraints, studio on the rye developed an extension that respected the context without relying on imitation. The studio adopted a contemporary architectural language that would relate well to both the mid-century house and the older surrounding buildings. Instead of the more conventional brick, which would have been difficult to match to the existing structure, weathered Corten steel was selected for the cladding. This material not only echoed the hue of the original red brick but also introduced a distinctive and visually compelling element to the extension. The steel’s patina, which matures into a rust-colored finish over time, was pre-oxidized to achieve the intended appearance at the time of installation. This finish helped the addition blend with both the existing house and the conservation setting. The design emphasized clean, monolithic forms. Recessed gutters and a continuous shadow gap in both the roof and wall interfaces provided a clear distinction between the new extension and the original building while supporting a minimalist, contemporary aesthetic.

The design introduced substantial additional floor area, incorporating a kitchen and dining zone, a utility room, and a snug on the ground level, along with a master bedroom featuring an ensuite shower and a walk-in wardrobe on the upper floor. Internally, the project included the installation of new windows and doors, a redesigned stairwell, and a new staircase. The kitchen, designed by studio on the rye, was constructed from ash and included custom joinery. Flooring consisted of polished concrete tiles in the kitchen and dining areas, with oak used throughout the remainder of the house. A defining aspect of the project was the corner windows in both the kitchen and the master bedroom, which required bespoke glass solutions due to the irregular angle created by the property’s boundary. Several manufacturers were consulted before Fluid Glass was chosen to produce the custom glazing. Material sourcing emphasized UK-based suppliers, including Havwoods for timber, Lazenby for concrete tiles, Astro for lighting, The Rooflight Company for roof glazing, and Fluid Glass for the custom windows.

The most significant technical challenge involved the use of Corten steel. While the material is durable, its rusting process can result in rainwater runoff that stains adjacent finishes. To prevent this, a sealant was applied to inhibit further rusting and to protect the concrete floor tiles below. The studio collaborated extensively with metal suppliers and contractors to develop a fixing method for the steel panels that would maintain a clean and continuous appearance. In the master bedroom, the irregular geometry of the corner windows presented an additional challenge for achieving blackout conditions, as standard shutters were not suitable. To address this, studio on the rye designed custom sliding MDF shutters that could be concealed within the walls, fulfilling both functional and aesthetic needs. Another important design focus was to improve the connection between the house and the rear garden, offsetting the loss of side garden area. Large sliding doors, a glazed kitchen corner, and expansive windows were incorporated to create a continuous flow between interior and exterior spaces, allowing the garden to function as an extension of the home. To increase energy performance, the renovation included upgraded insulation, triple-glazed windows, and the installation of a high-efficiency bioethanol stove.

The aesthetic intention focused on creating a simple and calm interior, with natural materials used to introduce warmth and texture. Ash was selected for window surrounds and custom joinery, while oak parquet flooring and concrete tiles contributed to a minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired atmosphere. Natural daylight played a central role in the design, with roof lights installed above the stairwell, master bedroom, and ensuite shower room, as well as large windows throughout the home. Sarah Borowiecka’s strong local ties supported an efficient design and construction process. She collaborated with a nearby contractor and often cycled past the site, maintaining a close connection to the work. Naming her studio after the area and having lived in Peckham her entire life, the Rusty House on the Rye stands as more than an architectural commission—it embodies Sarah’s long-standing relationship with her community and serves as a visible, enduring contribution to the local built environment. The project acts as a gateway to Peckham, reflecting her personal and professional identity.