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We were approached by the client during the design process for this build. He required a second opinion on the layout of his new extension that had originally been proposed by another design professional. He wanted to maximise the investment in his home by creating a substantial amount of additional floor space without over-spending. When we considered the current design (carried out by others) we noted that the existing circulation space and perimeter walls were to be retained with a new two-storey extension tacked on the side. However, on closer inspection we realised that this design was not capitalising on the substantial floor areas actually available.
An ingenious solution was devised, doing away with the previous scheme altogether. By removing the rear external wall and side wall and reconfiguring the internal structure, the constrictive existing layout could be opened right up. The staircase was repositioned so that it was centrally located in the new plan, rather than to one side. This meant that all the rooms had direct access into the circulation core of the house without the need for connecting rooms and obstructive existing walls. Furthermore, a lightwell and gallery area were positioned on the first floor to bring light and space into the heart of the house.
In order to balance the elevation externally, the existing front door and canopy were relocated to sit centrally on the new plan. The whole footprint of the new extension is L-shaped in form wrapping around the existing building at the back. This means that the relatively narrow additional area of wall to the front is deceptive in terms of the actual amount of increased space hidden from view. Great care was taken by the contractor to blend the new extension in with the existing building so that it seems like it has always been there. Identical harling and slates were used and the appearance of the windows were improved as traditional profiles were reinstated and hardwood was introduced.