Druid Grove, a London townhouse recently renovated by the local studio CAN, features cave-like openings, green timber tendrils, and a striking monolithic standing stone among its distinctive design elements.
Situated in East Dulwich, this three-bedroom townhouse was transformed and extended for a visual artist. The client’s own artistic practice inspired what CAN’s founder, Mat Barnes, describes as a “mystical” environment.
“The primary ideas behind the materials, forms, and colours were shaped through conversations with the client and their creative output, which at the time explored reimagined nature through video game and virtual environments,” Barnes shared with Dezeen.
“We asked the client to assemble an image bank of visual references—avoiding architecture—which became the foundation for many of the project’s more imaginative features, such as the standing stone and the green tendrils,” he added. “This approach led to what we call Hyperfolk: a blend of mystical, grounding, and expansive design.”
On the ground floor, CAN removed a structural wall and added a half-metre rear extension, opening up the space significantly.
This intervention created a generous dining and kitchen area that now connects seamlessly to the garden.
The focal point of this space is a winding kitchen counter placed beneath a skylight, which is adorned with green timber fins that resemble trailing plant tendrils.
On either side, the walls are finished with striking combinations of glossy red and pink tiles, rough render, and exposed brickwork, all set beneath the exposed steel structure of the ceilings.
Full-height sliding glass doors open to the garden, where a substantial granite standing stone—sourced from Cornwall near the Neolithic sites of The Hurlers and Long Tom—serves as a striking centrepiece.
At the heart of Druid Grove, an entrance area framed by two jagged, cave-like openings separates the newly expanded rear area from a quieter lounge at the front of the home.
“We drew a lot of inspiration from science-fiction films and imagined landscapes—the set of Dark Crystal was a significant reference for us,” Barnes explained.
“We also delved into resources like Folklore Myths and Legends of Britain, which chronicles stories and magic from across the island, as well as more contemporary works such as Weird Walk, Stone Lands, and The Stone Club,” he continued.
On the upper floor, a bedroom finished in red and pink hues is overlooked by a mezzanine bathtub. In the ensuite bathroom, the shower is enclosed by a wall of green terrazzo with a textured, broken edge.
The second bedroom and study are finished in a deep blue shade, drawing on the backdrops used in film visual effects. Meanwhile, the home office and studio feature a palette of greens and pinks, continuing the house’s bold approach to colour.
Mat Barnes founded CAN in 2016 after working as an associate at Studio 54 Architecture.
Among the studio’s previous work is an extension in
