“I’ve learned that when designing an extension for a grand Victorian building, the architecture needs to have some gravitas otherwise it runs the risk of looking like so many other ill-conceived additions, or worse, pastiche. Having something bold and modern doesn’t compete with an older building – it accentuates it,” says Phillips. The resulting sculptural extension is clad in patinated brass panels, a pleasing contrast with the house’s original brickwork. “The concept of this extension is to create an internal room that has no visible structure,” Phillips explains. “This gives the client the extra space and natural daylight they asked for, and it really makes you feel like you’re sitting outside.” At the same time as the extension, Gregory Phillips Architects undertook a basement excavation that added 240 sqm of new living space, including a generously-sized hang-out room for the children, a cinema, an office, a utility room and ¬– the pièce de résistance – a spectacular wine store for the family’s 1500 bottle collection.