A Clapham house transformed into a light-filled family home centred around volume, colour and a dramatic double-height space.
CLAPHAM, London
Radhus is a comprehensive transformation of a former HMO in the heart of Clapham, reimagined as a vibrant contemporary family home. The project responds to the constraints of a tight city site while introducing bold spatial interventions that maximise light, volume, and everyday functionality.
A standout feature is the double-height space connecting the sunken lower ground floor to the upper ground floor ceiling. This dramatic void floods both levels with natural light and creates a sense of openness absent in the original HMO layout. A five-metre-tall Crittall window divides the kitchen island, offering framed views of the city garden from the mezzanine above and anchoring the home’s spatial experience. The industrial aesthetic of the lower ground floor is softened through a considered palette of textures and vibrant colour accents, producing a warm yet contemporary living environment.
The renovation reinstates and reinterprets the property’s original period features with a modern sensibility. The fireplace, wall panelling, and other heritage elements are carefully integrated, while bold interventions, including a burnt orange kitchen and staircase and a deep bottle green living room, inject energy and character. These choices create a dialogue between the historic and contemporary, enhancing the building’s personality while respecting its architectural lineage.
Internally, spaces are arranged to promote wellbeing and fluidity. Glazed openings maximise light and visual connection, while exposed brickwork — used more prominently in the lower ground and sparingly above — creates continuity with the building’s original external materiality. Each floor offers a distinct atmosphere: the upper ground floor feels refined and serene, while the lower ground adopts a bolder, more industrial character. Conceptually and visually, these levels are united by the central double-height void.
Custom-designed elements were integral to the home’s character. Bespoke kitchen units, storage, staircases, panelling, and even door handles were tailored specifically to the project, supporting both functionality and aesthetic cohesion. The sculpted staircase features a slim oak handrail and delicate metal spindles, combining elegance with a sense of playfulness. Reclaimed furniture and worn timber flooring reinforce a tactile, lived-in quality, enhancing the home’s authenticity and warmth.
The result is a home that balances drama, comfort, and personality. Radhus transforms a previously soulless HMO into a light-filled, characterful, and highly functional family home. It demonstrates how thoughtful reinterpretation of period features, combined with contemporary design and bold use of colour, can revitalise a property, creating a space that is both visually striking and deeply responsive to the needs of its occupants.