Archive for February, 2010

stair porn

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

I love stairs.

Most architects love stairs and dream of extravagant jobs that would fund explorations into more adventurous designs, I know I’ve go a few ideas up my sleeve given half a chance! but until then we must satisfy ourselves with tantalising pictures of other designer’s work -  stair porn!

from http://asaptucson.com

Bookshop in Porto from http://www.flickr.com/photos/stukinha

There IS a website dedicated to the pursuit of the perfect stair, that delicate balance between physics, invention, art,  aesthetics, safety, economy… and it IS called STAIR PORN. Check out some of (more…)

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home extension V

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

House Extension, Herts. Extension: 43 m2 / Total House Area:  152 m2.

Grotty side alley with neighbour built against asymmetric boundary.

Side and rear extension to create extra living areas, making maximum use of limited site. Boundary asymmetrically aligned requiring an unusual solution.

Sketch scheme with [part] two storey vaulted side extension.

The design of the extension is typically ‘fine grained’ and results from the specific constraints of the site – the planning guidance restrictions and technical and performance constraints of marrying together existing &  new construction. (more…)

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home extension IV

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Extension & Alterations, Herts.    Extension Area: 4.8 m2

One of the smallest extensions I’ve ever done, but also one of the most successful in terms of improving flexibility, functionality and property value. Very ‘forensic’ and ‘tight grain’ design, 100% bespoke, resulting from close survey of the existing house and analysis of options to arrive at the ‘right’ scale of intervention.Existing layout – crappy kitchen & use of space. This existing kitchen was definitely the low point in this otherwise nice house.  The layout was of little practical use and offered little connection with the lovely mature gardens or distant panoramic views. Not contributing much to family life at all.

I proposed we open up the existing kitchen by removing all internal [loadbearing] partitions] and add a new projecting bay window to take full advantage of the views. We moved the utility space into the unused existing garage [with new children's play room in the loft] and formed a new asymmetric glazed link between house & garage that and really connects with the garden and floods the space with natural light.

(more…)

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AECB Newsletter Feb 2010

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Here’s a link to the AECB’s [Association of Environmentally Conscious Builders] latest newsletter. I’d recommend anyone with a general interest in building or who is considering building work to have a good at look at what the AECB offers.

http://www.aecb.net/networkfiles/

Posted in green | No Comments »