Erbar Mattes has transformed an old pub into a duplex flat by stripping away excesses and adding a brick extension.
The former pub known as the Blockmakers Arms is located in the Regent’s Canal conservation area, with its history reaching back to the mid-19th century. In the 1970s, the building underwent a transformation into three separate flats. Subsequently, the owners of the ground-floor apartment, seeking more space for their growing family, purchased the vacant apartment on the first floor and converted it into a spacious five-bedroom duplex.
The London-based architectural design studio, Erbar Mattes, envisioned a transformation for the pub by stripping away previous additions that compromised the original structure. Inspired by monastery cloisters, the studio plans to replace them with an elevated walkway and a brick loggia.
Erbar Mattes explained, "One of the major challenges was to create a larger residence without losing separate access to the independent apartment on the top floor." To overcome this, external circulation has been moved to the side elevation, and a new raised walkway has been added to the rear.
Continuing, Erbar Mattes stated, "The loggia, designed with solid brick piers, creates a sheltered transition space between the interior and exterior, reminiscent of the cloisters. In this aspect, the structure draws inspiration from monastery architecture." This new arrangement, replacing the non-functional vehicular entrance, has also strengthened the relationship between the building and the walled rear courtyard.
On the interior, subsequently added plasterboard ceilings and coverings have been removed, allowing for a thoughtful reconsideration that better complements its expanded dimensions.
The former function room on the first floor has been redesigned to create a spacious master bedroom opening onto a roof terrace above the pub's original entrance. Additionally, inside features a staircase with a large window overlooking nearby trees, along with two bedrooms and a bathroom.
