Simon Gittings and Lauren Jorgensen gave their 1950s home an extraordinary industrial-inspired makeover and extension, exposing original materials and embracing the principles of reuse and salvage.

TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Agnese Sanvito/OEB

A 1950s semi-detached, three-bedroom home is a common sight across the UK. Now more popular than ever, they are prized for their generous proportions. Yet, as these homes approach their eighth decade, their condition is often poor, with little insulation and small windows in functional spaces such as the kitchen. “The elderly man had passed away, and we found a lounge full of junk, an old mint-coloured bath with an electric heater above and no fitted kitchen,” says Simon.

While living in East London, Simon, a creative director, and his wife Lauren, an accountant, found this project just 20 minutes away. The couple were able to stay in their home while refurbishing the new property, also adding a single-storey extension. Throughout, their principle was ‘less is more’, choosing to peel back the layers of the house and reveal original materials, opting for ‘raw’ new materials and sourcing salvaged and recycled fittings themselves.

“We had never worked with architects or builders before,” says Simon, who used Google to find architecture practice OEB. “I wanted people who are down to earth and into sustainability. We chose OEB because they listened when we said we wanted a warehouse apartment vibe.”

The renovation of the original parts of the house included adding some insulation in the attic and installing a new gas boiler. Yet Simon and Lauren’s main focus was on removing and repairing the existing building fabric, giving unexpected texture and character. If the plaster came away with the old wallpaper, the couple kept that wall as exposed brick. If the plaster stayed they simply left it, complete with historic holes and paint splashes.

Although sceptical at first the couple’s builders soon got on board with the approach. “When they took out the chimney breast in the bedroom, the wall to the bathroom fell in, and the builders repaired it with salvaged bricks from the outside toilet, which had been painted yellow. So, there are now half a dozen bright yellow bricks in our bathroom.”

The most significant part of the project was the “factory-like” new extension. Refused planning permission on the first application due to roof height, their second application passed but with enough height still to create a ‘warehouse’ feel in this L-shaped space. Those ceilings are high enough for a clerestory window to catch the sun, which tracks around the room until a roof light fills the kitchen with evening light. A large picture window and two outward-opening patio doors, spanning 2.5m wide, improve the overall connection to the garden.

Once again, Simon and Lauren chose simple, low-tech materials for the construction such as plaster, brick and red-oxide steel beams. Inside, the roof is exposed, proudly showcasing softwood timbers and grey fibreboard. The floors are poured concrete in a natural, undyed colour. “Lauren said ‘I want it to look like a car park’”, says Simon.

Yet this home is far from drab, with the bold approach to construction reflected in the interiors. An orange Formica worktop is a brilliant foil against the brushed steel of the “Kebab shop” kitchen cabinetry. It is a colour the couple used again in the downstairs WC. Upstairs, ravishing ocean-blue tiles cover the bespoke dual, curved shower walls. 

“We have two showers next to each other, as Lauren was fed up waiting for me to get out of the shower each morning,” laughs Simon.

The interior style – from the raw finishes to the metal balustrade hand-made by a local metal fabricating firm – came from Simon and Lauren. Simon also specified the radiators in standard copper piping. These, like the bath taps made from ‘uncoated brass’ are turning dark green. The couple even got hands-on with their huge, shared desk. At 4.5m long, it was made entirely from scaffolding poles and boards.

Salvage is a significant part of the décor, and Simon enjoyed reusing items found onsite, such as the fluted glass doors, originally from the sitting room. They are now upstairs, installed in the master bedroom.

“Glass doors have their drawbacks in a bedroom,” says Simon. “But I’m proud we saved them.” 

Most of the lighting was also rescued from a Russian factory. There are even fully operational traffic lights from New York.

“We didn’t want any reproduction vintage,” says Simon. “We like the authenticity of it. We were inspired by the pubs and clubs of East London, which have been refurbished in this way.”

The couple moved in a little while ago, so is there anything they wish they had done differently?

“We chose only to replace half the old roof,” says Simon. “I wish that we had done it all, as the other half is starting to fail.”

The new extension, however, has been transformative for this couple, who moved here from a dark period home.

“I love the light, especially in winter, and it’s warm,” says Simon. “Space, light and flexibility are the three reasons why we love our extension with its integral kitchen and ‘snug’ area. The multiple windows generate natural light that continually changes during the day, connecting us with the outside world.”