Stone bricks provide the richly textured walls of this family home extension in London’s Highbury, designed by DGN Studio in partnership with creative director Sarah Izod.
Named Stone and Steel House, the project transformed a three-storey townhouse with a new rear kitchen and dining area, alongside a loft extension above.
The project expands the ground floor of the house and adds a loft extension
The architects selected sandstone bricks, rather than traditional fired clay, complemented by stainless steel as the main structural materials.
DGN Studio, led by Daniel Goodacre and Geraldine Ng, and Izod initially considered clay bricks with a lime-slurry finish. The decision to use stone, however, enabled a more efficient and environmentally responsible structure.
Two different types of sandstone brick were used
“The ability to cut stone to a specific thickness meant we could reduce the overall masonry in the walls, which created more room for insulation,” Goodacre told Dezeen.
“This let us use a breathable hemp insulation material,” he added.
“We also found the embodied-carbon benefits compelling—stone bricks can use up to 95 percent less CO2 per kilogram compared to clay bricks, since they don’t require firing.”
The materials palette also includes stainless steel facade and glazing elements
To highlight the natural qualities of the stone, which is cut instead of moulded, the team employed two distinct finishes.
At the base of the kitchen extension, rough, split-faced bricks are used, while sandblasted bricks with a smooth surface finish the upper walls and internal partitions.
