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.
I just found these – my very first google sketchup drawings! I remember now, it taking about two days to produce these. How times change!
New bay window excavation, surprisingly deep foundation to the existing house
Making sense of existing suspended floor & services, I remember quite a few dead rats. Insulated to the max when rebuilt.
Knock through into new [proposed] link
New projecting bay window
New glazed link
Completed, minus decoration.
A literal transformation inside – I have no photos from before but believe me, the improvements this kitchen & link add to the home are staggering, this kitchen is now an inclusive part of the home, completely changed the way the family use the whole house. Great value.
As I’ve said before, with jobs this ‘tight grain’ it’s definitely quality not quantity that counts. These projects are extremely difficult to get 100% right and manage customer expectations; they involve all the programming and trades of larger jobs [literally] 100 times as big, but because of their limited size customers [& less conscientious architects & builders] often think they’re easier prospects or require less thorough planning early on.
The more time, patience and budget you invest in a good architect early in your project, the more successful the final outcome will be.
Every job I look for a solution that looks ‘right’ and ‘obvious, the one that with retrospect, once built, occupied and in use, appears to have been the only possible solution. I never set out to make buildings that look different, stand out or follow predetermined ‘styles’ for the sake of it, if my designs ever look different it will be for good reason. I make buildings that not only satisfy the practical requirements of a brief [e.g. cost, time, size, durability, etc] but try to go a little further and contribute some delight and character to a place and the people living there. It’s finding that ‘little bit extra’ that feels ‘right’ that takes the longest thinking time, and [for me anyway] involves lots of discarded drawings. I’m also discovering my judgements and tastes aren’t fixed – since starting this bl9g and revisiting past projects I’m seeing many designs that I’d refine further now given the chance. I think the longer you invest in early stage the more delight can be extracted from potential and the better your eventual building will be.
Tags: built work, conversion, house.extension