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House CN is a remarkable renovation of a terraced house situated between Hackney and Shoreditch in East London. This project elegantly blends sustainability, craftsmanship, and user-centric design, creating a harmonious and timeless living space. The design juxtaposes natural materials with thoughtfully reused elements, emphasizing environmental responsibility and modern comfort. The home’s existing extension and a tranquil garden, featuring Italian olive trees, provide a harmonious backdrop that seamlessly integrates with the interiors. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, the design celebrates simplicity and natural minimalism blending it with elements of Scandinavian hygge, promoting warmth, comfort, and a sense of well-being. This elegant transformation was brought to life through collaboration with visionary clients who share a deep appreciation for design and expert craftsmanship. House CN exemplifies a refined balance of aesthetic elegance and contemporary living.
- Designed by : SASI Studio
- Address: 38 Awlfield Ave, London N17 7DB
- Phone : 07455 027656
- Email Id : business@sasi-studio.com
- Website : https://sasi-studio.com
- Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/sasi__studio
- LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/sasi-studio-ltd/
House CN is a remarkable renovation of a terraced house located between Hackney and Shoreditch in East London, an area defined by its layered urban character, creative energy, and rich architectural contrasts. This project represents far more than a simple refurbishment; it is a carefully considered transformation that reimagines domestic life through the lenses of sustainability, craftsmanship, and user-centred design. The result is a home that feels both refined and deeply personal, a timeless living environment where material honesty, spatial clarity, and emotional warmth are brought into balance.
At the heart of House CN is a design philosophy rooted in quiet sophistication. Rather than relying on excessive ornamentation or dramatic gestures, the project embraces a calm and restrained architectural language that allows the quality of space, light, and materials to take precedence. The renovation was conceived as a dialogue between existing structure and contemporary intervention, respecting the home’s original character while introducing a renewed sense of openness, coherence, and comfort. This careful balance between preservation and renewal is one of the defining qualities of the project, giving the house a sense of continuity while allowing it to respond to the needs of modern life. Sustainability played a central role in shaping the design approach. In House CN, environmental responsibility is not treated as a separate technical layer, but as an intrinsic part of the architectural vision. The home integrates natural materials and thoughtfully reused elements, demonstrating that sustainability and elegance can coexist seamlessly. Existing features were not simply removed and replaced; instead, they were evaluated for their potential to be retained, adapted, and celebrated. This process of selective reuse contributes not only to reducing waste and environmental impact, but also to preserving a sense of memory and material authenticity within the home. Every intervention was considered with care, reflecting a commitment to longevity, quality, and responsible design.
Craftsmanship is equally fundamental to the identity of the project. House CN is characterised by an attention to detail that can be felt throughout the interiors, from the precision of joinery to the tactile richness of natural finishes. Materials were chosen not only for their aesthetic qualities, but for the way they age, respond to light, and invite touch. Timber, stone, textured surfaces, and muted finishes create an atmosphere of understated luxury, one that feels grounded rather than overly polished. The value of the handmade, the imperfect, and the enduring is deeply embedded in the design. In this sense, House CN resists the temporary and the trend-driven, favouring instead a language of permanence and care.
The home’s existing extension and tranquil garden form an essential part of the architectural experience. Rather than treating interior and exterior as separate realms, the design establishes a fluid relationship between them, allowing the garden to become an extension of the living space. The presence of Italian olive trees introduces a strong sensory and emotional dimension, bringing softness, character, and a sense of calm to the outdoor setting. These elements create a harmonious backdrop for everyday life, enhancing the atmosphere of the interiors and reinforcing the project’s connection to nature. Views into the garden, changes in daylight, and the subtle transition between indoor and outdoor spaces enrich the overall experience of the house, making it feel both expansive and intimate.
A key source of inspiration for the project is the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi. This influence can be felt in the design’s appreciation for simplicity, imperfection, and the quiet beauty of natural materials. Rather than pursuing uniformity or excessive refinement, House CN celebrates restraint, texture, and authenticity. Surfaces are allowed to speak honestly, materials are valued for their innate qualities, and the overall composition avoids unnecessary complexity. This creates an environment that feels serene, grounded, and deeply human. Wabi-sabi introduces an emotional depth to the project, encouraging an appreciation for subtlety, atmosphere, and the beauty of spaces that are lived in rather than merely displayed.
Alongside this, the design also draws from the Japandi concept of hygge, adding a complementary layer of warmth, comfort, and domestic intimacy. If wabi-sabi brings quietness and natural minimalism, hygge introduces softness and a sense of well-being. Together, these influences shape a home that is not only visually elegant but emotionally resonant. The interiors are calm without feeling austere, minimal without becoming cold. There is an emphasis on light, tactile comfort, and the rituals of everyday life, moments of gathering, rest, reflection, and connection. The result is a living environment that supports both aesthetic appreciation and genuine ease. User-centred design is another essential aspect of House CN. The project was developed not simply as a formal exercise, but as a direct response to the lives, values, and aspirations of its inhabitants. The spaces are designed to feel intuitive and effortless, supporting daily routines while maintaining a strong sense of beauty and intention. Storage, circulation, material durability, and spatial flow were all carefully resolved to ensure the home works as well functionally as it does visually. This sensitivity to how the house is used gives the project its enduring quality. It is a space made not only to be admired, but to be inhabited fully and comfortably over time.
One of the most compelling aspects of House CN is the way it achieves harmony through contrast. Natural materials are placed in dialogue with reused elements; contemporary detailing sits alongside existing architectural traces; moments of minimalism are balanced by warmth and tactility. These juxtapositions are handled with great subtlety, creating an interior language that feels layered yet calm. Nothing feels forced or overly curated. Instead, the house unfolds with a quiet confidence, revealing its qualities gradually through light, proportion, texture, and detail.
This elegant transformation was brought to life in collaboration with visionary clients who share a deep appreciation for design, craftsmanship, and meaningful living. Their commitment to quality and their openness to a thoughtful, values-driven process were instrumental in shaping the final result. House CN is therefore not only an architectural achievement, but also the outcome of a shared sensibility, one rooted in respect for materials, attention to detail, and a desire to create a home with lasting emotional and aesthetic value.
One of the most compelling aspects of House CN is the way it achieves harmony through contrast. Natural materials are placed in dialogue with reused elements; contemporary detailing sits alongside existing architectural traces; moments of minimalism are balanced by warmth and tactility. These juxtapositions are handled with great subtlety, creating an interior language that feels layered yet calm. Nothing feels forced or overly curated. Instead, the house unfolds with a quiet confidence, revealing its qualities gradually through light, proportion, texture, and detail.
This elegant transformation was brought to life in collaboration with visionary clients who share a deep appreciation for design, craftsmanship, and meaningful living. Their commitment to quality and their openness to a thoughtful, values-driven process were instrumental in shaping the final result. House CN is therefore not only an architectural achievement, but also the outcome of a shared sensibility, one rooted in respect for materials, attention to detail, and a desire to create a home with lasting emotional and aesthetic value.
