Bellenden Road, London SE15

Designed by architects Quay 2c, this bright house lies on Bellenden Road, one of Peckham's best-loved streets. With striking volumes, tactile materials and a wonderful quality of light, the house utilises shadows, depth and lines of sight to create a truly rare set of spaces. It has two bedrooms and a mezzanine sleeping area in addition to a commercial space in the front, which is currently rented as a pilates studio. The house has a peaceful courtyard as well as a rear garden and is a short stroll from the open expanse of Peckham Rye.



The Tour



The house takes an unassuming position on Bellenden Road, with a traditional Victorian frontage that conceals the capacious spaces within.



Entry is through a hallway that opens up to reveal vast open-plan living spaces that flow towards a rear garden. Expansive sheets of glazing open to a courtyard in the middle of the home, blurring the boundary between indoors and out. Concrete floors extend throughout, creating a sense of flow and continuity.



At the centre of the plan is a dining area; light enters through glass bricks on one wall and the courtyard-facing glazing on another. Sections of exposed brick and a log-burning stove create a cosy atmosphere.



The ensuing kitchen has been executed with a combination of birch ply cabinetry and stainless steel worktops. At the rear is an exceptional living area, where a pitched roof rises four metres high. The sense of space here is remarkable, aided by sliding glass doors that guide towards the garden. Even on the greyer of days, this versatile room is exceptionally bright; it has an angular skylight that catches the last of the evening sun.



Suspended above the kitchen is a mezzanine area with a sleeping area and bathroom. Half-step stairs lead the way to this level, where cork floors have had a playful graphic print overlaid. There is a sleeping area here with a built-in bed platform, as well as a bathroom with a pink suite.



The main bedroom and bathroom are on the first floor of the house. Here, original pine floors add warmth, their grain chiming with newer birch ply wardrobes that extend around the corner of the room. Two windows flood the room with light.



The adjacent bathroom is characterised by a blue lino floor and further birch ply storage; a large window here frames views over the sedum roof of the ground-floor living areas. There is a large shower on one side and a remarkably generous sink positioned in the opposite corner.



Crowning the house, the upper level is currently used as an artist's studio, but would work equally well as a main bedroom, living space or office. A butterfly roof echoes the proportions of the ground floor and the wonderful volume found throughout. Sections of cork wall and exposed steel beams add texture.



At the front of the plan is a commercial space, which is currently rented on a five-year lease to a pilates studio. This has previously functioned as a gallery, pop-up shop and clothing boutique, and has an excellent rental yield.



Outdoor Space



The house has two beautiful and private outdoor areas. The first is a peaceful courtyard situated adjacent to the dining area. A pale blue flowering hydrangea here erupts with blossom come summer.



At the rear of the house is a productive garden that receives copious amounts of afternoon sunshine. A variety of plants are present here, including a winter flowering camellia, scented jasmine and a climbing hydrangea covering the brick walls. Stepping stones wind through the plants creating a path amid the greenery.



The Area



Peckham is an incredibly popular area of south-east London due to its independent restaurants, bars and cafés. Local favourites Forza Win, Levan, Artusi and Kudu. Larger establishments such as Frank’s rooftop bar, Peckham Levels and the Bussey Building attract crowds from across the city.

The popular expanse of Peckham Rye, home to the Sexby Garden, sports pitches, and The Round café, is a short walk away. Also within walking distance is the beautiful Nunhead Cemetery, a beautiful woodland oasis with amazing views across the city skyline.



Peckham Rye is the closest station, running London Overground services to Shoreditch High Street and Dalston Junction in one direction and Clapham Junction in the other. Connections to the Jubilee Line can be reached at Canada Water in 10 minutes and the Northern line at Clapham High Street, via Clapham North, in 11 minutes. There are also services to London Bridge in seven minutes, Blackfriars in 11 minutes, and Victoria in 15 minutes.



Council Tax Band: D