After the popularity of our last post on Corten steel houses, we’re bringing you more architecture made with our favourite rust-coloured metal. Not everyone can start building a whole new house from scratch, but for many, an extension might be a more realistic opportunity. And what beautiful extensions Corten steel makes. When adding an extension to a house, it’s vital that the new addition complements the original architecture, especially when the existing building is old and perhaps even listed. Thankfully, the rusty tones of ultra-durable weathering steel sit very comfortably next to a whole range of architectural styles. Don’t believe us? Check out the ten stunning examples below.
1. Richmond-upon-Thames, UK
This fabulous house started out life as a complex seven derelict garages. Working with architect Stuart Piercy, the family who bought it converted the 19th-century barn buildings into a modern family home. The end result featured on Grand Designs and was shortlisted for the RIBA House of the Year Award. Kew House’s Corten features merge perfectly with the yellow-toned London stock brick of the original building. Standout features include panels of perforated Corten that let in pretty specks of daylight, as well as a stuff-of-dreams children’s slide running down into the basement.
2. Chieti, Italy
Architect Rocco Valentini breathed new life into a crumbling olive mill when he designed this statement Corten extension. The unique geometric shape is inspired by 19th-century agricultural equipment and connects the original mill to the residential villa. Juxtaposition between old and new is a theme throughout the home, and original millwheels and an olive press become interesting garden features.
3. Bruges, Belgium
Studio Farris won a competition to sympathetically renovate the listed Sint-Andries City Library in Bruges. The fiery orange of the weathering steel is a bold contrast against the original white plasterwork, but it works. Clad in a mix of perforated and plain pre-weathered Corten sheets, the eye-catching extension lets in plenty of light and gives the library a bold new look.
4. The Niagara Escarpment, Canada
Sustainable Toronto architecture firm superkül designed this Corten extension to an existing century-old farmhouse. The Niagara Escarpment is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, so keeping the new addition in keeping with the natural beauty and heritage of the area was crucial. The extension, which also uses ultra-strong Ipe wood, provides extra living space for the family occupants. Ten-feet high windows invite spectacular light and views inside.
5. Manchester, UK
Citizens Design Bureau designed this stunning weathering steel extension to Manchester Jewish Museum. The original building is housed in the city’s oldest synagogue, which is Grade II listed. The delicate perforations in the Corten reflect the architecture inside the main building and look magical when they’re lit up at night. And the oxidised steel ties in beautifully with both the existing red brick and Manchester’s industrial past.
6. Lustin, Belgium
Puzzle’s Architecture created this seamless extension to a Belgian farmhouse dating all the way back to 1730. The historic home was made of local stone and whitewashed cob, but the modern addition of Corten doesn’t look out of place. This is in part thanks to the sloping roof, which is pitched at the same angle as the house’s own roof. The result is an impressive sleeping annexe that doesn’t detract from the rustic charm of the original building.
7. London, UK
Architecture for London designed this incredible extension to a Victorian Barnsbury home. Glass and perforated Corten sheets were used to create different grades of privacy screening, ranging from almost opaque in the bathroom to clear glazing on the upper level. This allows residents to feel connected to the birds and trees of suburban nature. The original brick was soot-washed to give a muted effect that brings it in line with the Corten’s distinct finish.
8. London, UK
HÛT Architects are responsible for this clever extension in Hackney. The concept makes the most of an underused alley space at the side of the home, enlarging the space in the kitchen and connecting it to the garden. A matching garden gate glows orange in the sunlight, impressing passers-by. Corten steel is a strong choice for residential extensions; not only does it make a great talking point, its resistance to the elements means it will last for many years to come.
9. Fraserburgh, UK
Moxon Architects were the brains behind this showstopping Corten extension on the offices of Aberdeenshire Council. They were tasked with converting two buildings: a listed townhouse and a derelict police station, into the new council HQ. The pre-patinated weathering steel was chosen as a nod to the harbour town’s maritime culture. Great care was taken to make sure the new extension, which links the two buildings, tied in with the existing masonry, making Corten the perfect material for the job.
10. London, UK
When Archer Architects were tasked with adding three extra storeys to a London pub to turn it into a boutique hotel, they reached for Corten. Weathering steel extends the building to the same height as others on the street and works in harmony with the red brick next door. The extension slips neatly into its surroundings and is home to the members-only Shoreditch House, a rooftop swimming pool and the exclusive Cowshed spa. This is a perfect example of how Corten steel can create stylish designs that integrate easily with neighbouring architecture.
