Our project at Rosefield Avenue Lane refurbished and extended a small one-bed former coach house in the conservation area of Portobello, sympathetically transforming it into a desirable family home for generations to come. Materiality was a key consideration. To respect the character of the existing building, minimal alterations were made to the principal elevation, existing openings were retained and brickwork was reused and replicated throughout. Timber cladding distinguishes new elements whilst paying reference to the original stable doors which would have formed a large portion of the existing elevation. Charring the timber both increases the longevity of the larch and reflects the historical use of the site by a coal merchant. Subtle insertions of matching timber within the existing elevation further harmonises the new and the old elements.