Oakdale Road, London SE15

This thoughtfully reimagined, three-bedroom terraced house was meticulously designed by its architect owner, the founder of Enclosure. A contemporary yet sensitive approach marries modern functionality and structural artistry, resulting in expressive living spaces that flow towards a rear terrace with an edible planting scheme. Oakdale Road is minutes from Nunhead Station and within easy reach of Peckham and leafy Telegraph Hill.

Environmental Performance 

The house was built to minimise environmental impact while maximising energy efficiency. Interventions include a carefully positioned wall vent that allows for natural cooling in the warmer months. The double-glazed doors and windows are by Valfac and Cortizo and are highly efficient and argon-filled. In the front and rear, edible gardens attract biodiversity and create a haven for local wildlife.

The Tour

Perched at the end of a row of Victorian terraces, the house makes clever use of Oakland Road's gentle incline to achieve three storeys. Set back from the quiet street, the house is approached via a wide brush-finished pale concrete terrace. A corten steel planter runs along the perimeter and grows a selection of mint and an espaliered apple stepover tree. Its simple brick façade is punctuated by bold aluminium-framed glazing and brown-painted wooden panels, a pairing that sets the tone for the considered interiors beyond.

The house is beautifully lit by swathes of glazing throughout. On entering, light streams into the hallway from a glazed panel next to the front door before travelling through a second panel separating the living room. A downstairs WC lies to one side, while discreet cupboards line one wall. Short oak boards underfoot with discreet shadow gaps from the walls exemplify the thoughtful design touches throughout.

A sightline from the front door guides towards the open-plan kitchen and living area beyond. Minimal coffee-coloured cabinetry in the kitchen houses integrated appliances and is topped by a sleek Lapitec worktop made from 100% natural sintered stone. A dining table is currently arranged opposite, in front of slender Cortizo SL20 sliding doors to the garden beyond. Come evening, the rear glazing becomes a mirror-like surface, creating an inviting space for cooking and sociable dining. Ambient lighting set within the walls is controlled by a dimmer switch.

Towards the front is the living space, bounded to one side by a generous bookcase. A large, recessed light box to the front ushers in natural light, with a wooden panel to one side fitted to allow additional ventilation. A doorway passes back to the entrance hall here, encouraging a seamless, circular feel.

A white powder-coated steel staircase with oak treads reaches up to the first floor, where there are two bedrooms. Both have dual-aspect Valfac windows and slim T22 radiators. One has built-in wardrobes, while the other is currently used as an office with a long, built-in desk. There is a bathroom on this floor too, finished in similar cappuccino hues to the kitchen. The bath is clad in a high-pressure laminate by Trespa, and the room is warmed by underfloor heating. Just off the first-floor landing is a handy laundry cupboard.

The main bedroom unfolds over the top floor and is set into the dormer eaves. A skylight illuminates the room, its light added to by a window that frames views over the leafy street. Built-in wardrobes, minimalist bookshelves and storage make clever use of the plan while honing a restful feel. A tiled en suite bathroom is adjacent, with a walk-in rainfall shower set beneath another skylight.

Outdoor Space

The brown wood used on the house's façade is repeated in the garden, where it envelops the secluded spot. Detailed brickmanship extends onto the bricked terrace, where there is ample space for a dining table and chairs for entertaining. The garden has been well-planted with species including hazelnut, lavender, mint, rosemary and sage, allowing a harmony of scents to permeate. A hidden gate in the wall allows convenient side access.

The Area

Nunhead has an almost village-like feel, with independent shops and eateries; there is a greengrocer, fishmonger, a deli, and a café plus a new community centre by AOC architects. Local favourites include Good Cup for coffee, Mother Superior for natural wine and artisanal nibbles, and lifestyle store Alkemi for beautiful handmade gifts. Notable pubs include The Old Nun’s Head and Skehans. Further afield Peckham’s popular Bellenden Road and its array of independent shops, bars and restaurants can be reached in a 10-minute cycle ride or 30-minute walk.

For green spaces the Nunhead Cemetery is a four-minute stroll away and is a beautiful woodland oasis with wonderful views across the city skyline. Telegraph Hill is a seven minutes away on foot, while the wide, open spaces of Peckham Rye can be reached in under 15 minutes.

Nunhead is the nearest railway station and runs Thameslink services to London Victoria and Blackfriars, both in around 19 minutes. Nunhead Station connects to Peckham Rye in two minutes, from which Overground services run to Highbury and Islington, Shoreditch High Street and Dalston to the north and Clapham Junction to the south. The Jubilee Line can be accessed via Canada Water (10 minutes away) and the Northern Line at Clapham North, via Clapham High Street (11-minutes). There are easy road connections out of London via the A2.

Council Tax Band: D