Polysmiths completes Pine House in Peckham Rye, transforming a London Victorian Terrace into a Live-work Laboratory

By creating a dramatic double-height kitchen and mezzanine library, the project challenges how spatial generosity and careful use of materials can add real value to a home.

Pine House Peckham Rye by Polysmiths, with double height kitchen transforming a victorian terrace

Image by Polysmiths

9th January 2026

Polysmiths completes Pine House in Peckham, a radical sectional surgery on Victorian typology proves double-height intervention adds more value.

Following the award-winning Cork House, architect Charles Wu completes Pine House, a comprehensive renovation and extension in Peckham Rye that serves as both his home and his practice’s research laboratory.

“I see Pine House as a 1:1 prototype, validating potential architectural solutions before proposing it to my clients” says Wu, “Pine House contain proven strategies I can bring to client projects with confidence.”

All images here are by Polysmiths, more coming soon!

Solid Pine panel storage units and walls line the double-height kitchen and living room space

Solid Pine panel storage units and walls line the double-height kitchen and living room space (Image by Polysmiths)

Cork is used in Pine House’s garden room, catching beautiful light from the extension into the garden.

Cork is used in Pine House’s garden room, catching beautiful light from the extension into the garden. (Image by Polysmiths)

The bedroom of Pine houses uses stained wood and lime render to create warmth and human scale.

The bedroom of Pine houses uses stained wood and lime render to create warmth and human scale. (Image by Polysmiths)

The bedroom of Pine houses uses stained wood and lime render to create warmth and human scale.

Pine house uses dramatic ribbed green tiles for a curved en-suite bathroom shower. (Image by Polysmiths)

The project explores how bold, crafted, unexpected spaces can excite your senses and invite interaction. “A space that is full of light, and rich in materials and details, will make you want to slow down,” Wu explains. “You will look around, touch and feel your surroundings. Architecture can be the beginning of Mindfulness.”

Such discipline extends to the delivery of the project: the construction was completed on budget within six months following an eight-week planning approval. It is further proof that architectural innovation can be confident, intelligent and disciplined.

The project is now complete and available for visit, architectural photography and paid partnership by appointment.

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