# OEB Architects Channels 1980s Interiors for London Extension A Victorian terrace in Southwark gains a tropical modernist kitchen and dining space. - **Source:** [Dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/6e8fd977-313e-4f04-8c70-429e5f6f724b ## Victorian Terrace Transformation OEB Architects has completed a rear extension for a three-storey Victorian terrace house located in Southwark, London. The project aims to integrate an open-plan kitchen and dining area that feels deeply connected to the surrounding garden. This design replaces conventional infill extensions with a layout that prioritizes natural light and outdoor views. ## Tropical Modernism Inspiration The design team drew inspiration from 1980s interior aesthetics and tropical modernism to define the new space. Project architect Gabriel George noted that the studio referenced mid-century West Coast American case study houses during the planning phase. These diverse influences manifest through bold, graphic objects and a layered approach to interior materials. ## Strategic Spatial Positioning Instead of filling the entire width of the site, the architects pulled the extension back from the southern boundary. This decision created two distinct external areas: a courtyard adjacent to the main house and a rear garden. This configuration allows for full-height glazing on multiple sides, framing the greenery from every angle. ## Materiality and Light Play The interior features a kitchen island clad in glossy green tiles and a structural column covered in shiny red tiles. These vibrant elements contrast with minimalist white surfaces, stone flooring, and pale timber carpentry. Translucent glass-block walls and curtains are used to manipulate light quality throughout the day, creating shifting interior atmospheres. ## Avoiding Conventional Design The clients specifically requested to avoid a standard top-lit infill extension, which is a common feature in many Victorian terrace renovations. By setting the structure back from the boundary, the architects provided a new passage and outlook. This layout ensures the home feels surrounded by the garden rather than just adjacent to it. ## Structural and Functional Flow The floor level of the extension steps upwards to meet the existing back of the main house. The connecting corridor is flanked by a bathroom and a pantry, optimizing the transition between the old and new sections. This functional arrangement maintains the flow of the home while providing essential modern domestic amenities. ## Studio Background and Context Founded in 2018 by directors Tessa Baird and David Eland, OEB Architects operates offices in London and Brighton. The practice previously completed a project in Tottenham, which utilized a simple blockwork and timber structure. This Southwark project represents a more decorative and material-focused evolution of their residential extension design philosophy. ## Project Delivery and Credits The project involved collaboration with structural engineer Bailiss Company and inspector Stroma, with construction managed by Oakfield Limited London. Specific material suppliers included Blueprint Ceramics for column tiles and Johnson Tiles for the kitchen island. These partnerships ensured the precise execution of the architects' vision for a nuanced, seasonal living space. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/11/04/oeb-architects-london-tropical-house-extension/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._