De Beauvoir House is a minimal home located in London, United Kingdom, designed by Cousins & Cousins Architects. De Beauvoir House contains a unique rear extension to a semi-detached family home in Hackney, London. The client’s brief was to remodel and extend the property, creating a two story extension that harmonises the layout of the internal spaces, making them work for their growing family’s needs. As such, the rear extension, a lightweight structural glulam timber insertion, frames a series of newly created modern spaces connected via a bespoke steel staircase. In granting planning permission Hackney Council praised the project for its ‘high quality lightweight design’ as well as being a ‘good example of contemporary design, incorporated into a traditional building form’ with neighbors also praising the design as sensitive and engaging whilst allowing modern design to prevail in a heritage area.