Explore the Dulwich Curves in South East London
Take a tour of this family home refurbishment and rear extension on the Dulwich Estate...
Dulwich Curves is a whole house refurbishment and rear extension of a family home on the Dulwich Estate. This is located in South East London.
The project was created by the MEA Studio which specialise in healthy sustainable home design.
They’re a RIBA chartered practice who follow a five-step design process. Therefore, providing clients with a transparent experience and incorporate virtual reality for client reviews before construction.
Extension on Victorian property providing more space and light for a young family. Photo: Chris Snook
Reimagining of a traditional home
The Dulwich Curves project reimagines a semi-detached Victorian home as a calm, practical and light-filled space designed for modern family life.
The scheme introduces discreet new areas at ground level and within the roof, using robust, warm materials expressed through a contemporary design.
Throughout, the original Victorian character is carefully preserved, working within heritage constraints and in close consultation with trustees and the local council.
The kitchen space has a floor that has been lowered to enhance privacy and maximise sightlines to the garden. Photo: Chris Snook
What did the new space look like?
The new scheme introduces a curving brick rear extension, a glazed side boot room and a zinc-clad dormer.
Together, these carefully crafted additions maximise natural light, expand usable space and create a seamless dialogue between the home’s historic fabric and its modern reinterpretation.
Inside, long views now open out to the garden, replacing what was once a dark, dog-legged corridor and drawing daylight deep into the plan.
The kitchen floor has been subtly lowered to enhance privacy and improve sightlines, while reclaimed terracotta tiles add a warm, earthy base that grounds the space.
To the side, the glazed boot room acts as a gentle threshold between indoors and out, linking the new extension with the original Victorian house.
This pause point provides practical access to the utility room for muddy boots and coats before entering the main living areas.
Above, the zinc-clad dormer integrates neatly into the roofline, delivering light and space without compromising the home’s character.
The new glazed boot room at the side of the house provides a threshold between the outdoors and living spaces. Photo: Chris Snook
Balancing the past and the present
Working within the constraints of The Dulwich Estate Conservation Area, the design successfully balances contemporary family living with sensitivity to heritage.
Resulting in what was once a tired house being reimagined.
It is now a home with tranquillity, curved with intention, and perfectly tailored to the homeowners’ lifestyle.
Megan Ebanks, Director of MEA Studio explains: “Working within The Dulwich Estate, we opened the home to its garden and introduced a modern curved extension in reclaimed brick.
“Therefore, celebrating the story of the old and the clarity of the new.
“The full renovation and extensions at ground and roof levels redefined the interiors, replacing a bulky balustrade with an elegant handrail that flows seamlessly to the roof.
“The result is a home that is both steeped in history and beautifully reimagined for life today.”
New utility room in the renovated Victorian home. Photo: Chris Snook
What other projects have MEA studio worked on?
The project was completed in April 2025, with Dulwich Curves showcasing MEA Studio’s ethos of designing calm, characterful homes that are finely tuned to their inhabitants’ needs.
Many of MEA Studio projects involve retrofitting older properties. Often restoring original features and distinguishing them from new additions to preserve the building’s narrative.
Recent projects include a Grade II listed townhouse in Belgravia, a Victorian house extension in Telegraph Hill and a roof extension in East Dulwich.
Alongside Dulwich Curves, which was completed in the summer of 2025.
Project credits:
- Main contractor: Uffington Developments
- Kitchen: Browson Design & Build
- Photography: Chris Snook
- Glazed bootroom: Fluid Glass
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