PLANTROOM ?is the project for the ground floor renovation of a Victorian terraced house in West London, in need of natural light and a seamless connection to the garden. The new glass roof and glass façade provide the perfect setting for a growing indoor jungle to house the new kitchen and dining area. With three children and a very demanding schedule, the client was in desperate need of a place to relax away from her busy life.?The scheme developed by Sophie Nguyen Architects responded to the client’s passion for the outdoors and her daily urge to open all doors leading to the garden. ? By considering the client’s love for nature, the project focused on the remodelling of the rear façade in order to redefine the dark and cluttered space into a generous room filled with natural light, whilst creating a seamless connection to the garden. The obstructive existing structure was removed and replaced by steel beams recessed into the ceiling to enhance the view into the garden. ? The red kitchen island hovers inside the space like a Chinese lacquered box, hiding the paraphernalia of cooking. Its gloss finish reflects the surroundings to widen the perception of the space. ? A new glass roof along the Party Wall provides the entire room with light throughout the day, and a perfect setting for an indoor winter garden.?This garden will support a variety of plants, from palm trees to mixed herbs for cooking. Through the addition and growth of these plants, the kitchen and dining space will become surrounded by an expanding jungle, fulfilling the client's desire to live among nature. The Client's comments: “Sophie is a magician! Sophie has changed my life in every sense by turning a dark, dull, lifeless space into an enlightened spacious one loaded with light and life (also from the oxygen brought by the indoor jungle). Sophie is a mathematician! but with a deep sense of people emotions and psychology. This rare combination of qualities in the building sector is key to allow a smooth process with the multiple contractors whilst not compromising the rigour and beauty of the end result. Very well done, I'm so happy.”