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London is filled with terraced Victorian homes undergoing straightforward updates to keep up with changing needs. But when Studio Ben Allen set out to refresh a home in a North London suburb, the property’s unconventional size and position paved the way for something special.

“This was an end-of-terrace home built next to a man-made waterway that has served London for over 400 years,” explains Ben Allen, practice founder and principal. “It had a much bigger garden and was probably a third wider than the other houses on the street.” Seizing this rare opportunity, Allen embarked on a similarly novel renovation, dubbed “The House Recast.”

Brightly coloured concrete beams and a louvred arch ceiling give the renovation its...

A London Victorian Makes Concrete Feel Light and Vibrant

With playful patterns and vibrant hues, Studio Ben Allen turns concrete into the unlikely star of a terrace house renovation.

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