This architect turned a wreck into a huge home for his friends
Communal living in Camberwell

The idea of communal living as an adult might fill you with dread. But with property prices still on the rise, South London architect, David Money has shown how it can be a great investment. By co-buying he has been able to create his dream home with an abundance of space to make sure each housemate has plenty of privacy.
Finding the right property

The perfect house

Transforming an old wreck

Sharing the cost

Renovation process

Open-plan living

Getting outside

From the communal living space, the sliding doors open up into the garden, which also brings light into the back of the long and narrow house.
Read more: Beautiful kitchen extension ideas
The heart of the home

The use of plywood

Communal dining

Bringing in the light

The elongated layout of the house means that the central space could lack daylight, so the side return extension roof is fully glazed to bring in daylight to the darkest corners.
Read more: 29 design secrets for successful open-plan living
Light from above

Stairway to separate living

A modern plywood staircase with vertical slats, which is David's favourite part of the house, leads to the first floor where there is a separate living area for his three flatmates. "It's the intricate spine of the house," says David.
See more: Stylish staircase ideas to suit any space
The loft space

A self-contained flat

The first floor

The rear bedroom

Clever design

The house is full of quirky design ideas, including this unique multi-purpose plywood ladder and bookshelf which leads to a mezzanine gym in the rear room.
Read more: 49 amazing storage hacks you have to see
An indoor window

Keeping the old

Planning for the future

To secure the project, the friends have decided to stay in the house for a fixed period of time. "We've agreed to live here for a minimum of three years, and then if either of us wants to sell, then we'll do so," explains David. With the house now worth £1.6 million after the renovation, it's worth holding onto for a little while. All pictures courtesy of Taran Wikhu.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature