In a city like London, where building space is for single-family developments is rare, micro developers need to be creative. Fortunately for architect Joe Burke, the garden of the end of terrace home he already owned, was the viable plot of land he needed to create a family rental property. Taking on almost every role in the creation of Leyton House (think developer, planner, architect, interior designer and builder), Burke oversaw the realisation of a compact home built in the overgrown, 4.5-meter-wide garden. Poised at the end of a 1960s terrace in east London, the house takes on the proportions and window arrangements of its neighbors, its form complimenting the uniform row of houses, while at the same time standing out with its updated materials which present a facade of tactile pale brickwork and board-marked concrete. 

Inside, the limited space meant devising a plan that creatively used fixtures and fittings. A beautiful bespoke plywood staircase was installed (the first view when arriving into the home), along with a built-in storage wall, these two key elements conceal a cloakroom and pantry while incorporating shelves and extra storage. On the ground floor, the layout flows from an L-shaped plywood kitchen at the front of the house to a central dining space and a lounge opening onto the rear garden. Upstairs, a bright, skylit landing connects two ensuite bedrooms. Filled with natural light that floods from above, the landing space is intended to feel like serene, stolen space, with the use of the same pale brick that was used on the exterior evoking courtyard vibes. 

Maximizing its compact plot, the Leyton Home is a characterful home that contrasts with its neighbors while delivering a fresh take on the classic terrace line.  

Photography © Rachel Ferriman