Amazing homes to visit during Open House London 2019

Embrace your childhood fantasies and hit up this Homerton house which, yes, really has a slide inside. It’s used to connect the kitchen to the basement of this mid-Victorian home. The owners wanted to make the existing cellar into a place for the whole family, so they created a double-height ceiling and a sunken living space to form an envy-inducing family room. They also built a large rear extension for a kitchen and dining space, and renovated the upper floors, adding bedrooms and a study in the loft space. But it’s that slide that really brings it all together – not to mention bringing the fun.

© C Pendritch

Seán McAlister of architects Seán and Stephen, says: ‘In the end it became a matter of daring each other to do it: the clients dared us to design it, and we dared them to go for it!’

A House with a Slide, 41 Groombridge Rd, E9 7DP. Homerton Overground. Sat Sep 21, bookings only.

This unusual extension to the rear of a Victorian terrace house in Lewisham shows you don’t have to stick to just bricks and mortar. Although more commonly associated with wine bottles, cork was used to clad this ambitious project. Check out how it complements the existing brickwork, with pink window frames adding an on-trend pop of colour. But using cork wasn’t just a quirky design decision with this kitchen, dining room and living area; the material absorbs noise better, plus it’s breathable, free from chemicals or harmful materials, and is fully compostable and recyclable.

Allie Mackinnon of Nimtim Architects, says: ‘Our clients were keen to make quite bold decisions. We kept costs down because we didn’t need to use additional insulation or decorate over the cork.’

Cork House, 67 Algernon Rd, SE13 7AS. Lewisham rail. Sat Sep 21, 10am-5pm.

Built in 1935 as an annexe to a now demolished Victorian school, this building was used as a canteen, art department and science laboratory until the 1980s. After that, it functioned as a recording studio – and there are rumours that East17 and Run-DMC taped demos up on the first floor. It was later converted into flats, before its current owners decided to make it into a single family home in 2015. What now exists is a spacious four-bedroom property with many original features, including knockout wood parquet flooring, terracotta tiles and a concrete stairwell (and there’s not a bunsen burner in sight). On the roof there’s even a beautiful wildflower terrace with views to Wanstead Flats, BT Tower and Canary Wharf. It shows just what can be done with an old building and a bit of imagination.

Carlo Viscione of architectural design studio Made With Volume, says: ‘There was a strong desire to keep and restore original features. The clients are thrilled with the result, which includes plenty of room for cooking, entertaining and relaxing.’

The Science Lab, 134 Trumpington Rd, E7 9EQ. Wanstead Park Overground. Sat Sep 21. Every 45 mins between 10am and 4pm.

This neglected home was overhauled two years ago and has won plaudits from the local council for the way a modern extension was added without destroying its period features – and all within a conservation area in the capital. Designers created a kitchen and dining room with huge airy windows to maximise the daylight, as well as a loft room with a window overlooking the neighbouring roofs. While the ground floor extension has been constructed in reclaimed brick to match the original building, the owners chose zinc for the dormer. Inside, the period features have been kept, but with unmistakably modern additions such as concrete, tile and glass balustrades, which bring the old and new together seamlessly.

© Planstudio

Peter Lancaric of architects Planstudio, says: ‘People don’t want to live in the nineteenth century – but they like and value traditional features. It’s about finding the right balance between traditional and contemporary.’

R&S House, 30 Lampmead Rd, Lea Manor Conservation Area, SE12 8QL. Hither Green rail. Sat Sep 21, every 45 mins between 10am and 4pm.