Project schedule #5 House Extension in Byfleet and New Haw

Project schedule

Year: 2018-2019

Location: Byfleet and New Haw, Runnymede Borough Council

RIBA Design Stages: 0-5

Architect:

Square One Architects

Structural Engineer:

Glencross & Hudson

Building Control:

Assent Building Control

This project was for an extension to a large detached house in Byfleet and New Haw for a family of three with a small child.

When the client got in touch with us in first instance, we visited the site and found that the house needed a renovation. The client was also not satisfied with the ground floor arrangement that was very partitioned and formed rooms that where both small and dark.

At first floor level the layout was more acceptable, however the house lacked the presence of a real master bedroom with a dressing area and an en-suite bathroom, which is something that you would expect from a property of this size.

Our brief was to extend a house with a rear extension and form a new open plan layout including a kitchen, dining area and sitting area. The client also requested a first-floor side extension on top of an existing garage that would provide space for an en-suite bathroom and dressing area linked to an existing bedroom.

We considered two options for the existing garage. The first one was to retain it and build on top of it and the the second one was to demolish and rebuild. As it often happens in these cases the option to replace the existing garage ended up being more cost-effective. It is not unusual to find period structure that are not able to carry any extra load from a structural point of view, especially at foundation level. In these instances, we always suggest our clients to hire a builder for a couple of hours, perform several trial pits and then submit the results to a structural engineer that will decide whether the existing structure is suitable or not. All the details will then need to be confirmed with Building Control.

The ground floor rear extension also features a set of large bi-fold doors that opens towards the rear garden and a window in correspondence of the kitchen sink. A set of two large flat roof lantern skylights also help bringing daylight in the new open plan area.

The first-floor side extension also features rear and front windows and a large skylight that guarantees uniform levels of daylight throughout the whole floor plan.

The clients’ feedback was very positive, and we appreciated hearing that they used their new spaces in a more practical way with their toddler always in sight. That's a big advantage of open plan layouts!

Before and after images

Rear elevation

Kitchen and dining area

Front elevation

Our new project for a house extension in Byfleet & New Haw

A pretty dramatic before and after image of the front our recent project for a detached house in Byfleet and New Haw

The pictures above show the dramatic difference between the existing detached house in Byfleet and New Haw before and after the extension and refurbishment works.

When we first met the client in 2018, we found a property with lots of potential but very tired both externally and internally. The house needed a full refurbishment and several improvements were also necessary in order to maximize the use of internal spaces.

In the picture to the right our first-floor side extension can be seen to the left. The purpose of this extension was to add a new dressing area and en-suite bathroom with a window on the front of the house. Both the dressing room and en-suite have been designed to be directly connected to an existing bedroom that the clients decided to use as their master bedroom.

The project also included new rendering to the front, sides and rear of the property and the ground floor rear extension along with several internal alterations to create an open plan space at ground floor level.

It was a remarkably interesting project, with a proactive client who put a lot of stress on the importance of design.

We are incredibly happy with the result and final pictures of the standard property can be seen here.

When we went to site we also filmed a video showing the ground floor of the property. It can be visualized here.

Render vs completed photo of our latest house extension in Byfleet & New Haw

It's always interesting to look back at the design and evaluate how the final product compares to the initial intent. In this image a photo realistic render (above) is compared to a final image of a kitchen space.

It is always essential to keep track of the relationship between designed spaces and final build project in order to verify the validity of our vision and take note of what has been improved during construction or what could have been built differently.

In the case of this project for or a rear and side extension to detached house in Byfleet and New Haw we were pleased to see that our 3D model rendering (first image above) looks very similar to what the contractor delivered on site.

First and foremost, the size of the openings and the subsequent amount of daylight received by the internal spaces was correctly predicted by the virtual analysis carried out through the rendering engine. Second, the materials that the client had chosen where confirmed to be a good match for the type of space that we had designed.

This project proves once again that 3D modelling and rendering tools can provide an invaluable help to both the Architect and the client.

By using these tools, the Architect can convey an idea in a very straightforward manner and the client can understand it right away, taking the necessary decisions when requested by the Architect.

We feel that the best stage to provide this type of drawings to a client is detail design where decisions about materials and certain technical details need to be finalised. Although there is a benefit in producing preliminary 3D models at earlier stages of the design, we see little point in generating super realistic images without any decision being made by the client regarding large items such as finishes, kitchen etc…

new haw project now completed

Our project in New Haw is finished - we've successfully completed a rear extension and first floor side extension for a large detached property. The carefully designed additions seamlessly blend with the existing structure, improving both its function and appearance. The rear infill extension provides a lot of space for a modern living area, great for hosting guests or spending time with family. The first floor side extension adds extra rooms for bedrooms or a home office, providing flexibility for the homeowners' changing needs. The completion photos show the impressive transformation, displaying the attention to detail and high-quality workmanship that went into the entire project.

As architects at Square One Architects, our dedication to lighting design is always at the forefront of our work. We understand the importance of both natural daylight and artificial lighting in creating spaces that not only look stunning, but also enhance the overall well-being of those who inhabit them. From the moment we begin a project, we carefully consider how to maximize natural light, allowing it to filter through strategically placed windows and skylights, while also incorporating innovative artificial lighting solutions. The photos showcased here serve as a testament to our commitment as a practice to design spaces that are not only well ventilated and bright, but also transform the quality of life for our clients, allowing them to thrive in spaces that inspire and uplift.

To learn more about this project and see the incredible before and after photos, please visit our website, where you'll find a detailed overview and a captivating visual journey.

House in Byfleet and New Haw coming soon

Sneak peek: a video of a photo shoot for our project of a house extension in Addlestone. Pictures coming soon!

The client initially reached out to Square One Architects in early 2018 with the exciting opportunity to expand their 4-bed detached house in Byfleet and New Haw.

Seeking to enhance their living space, the client's brief entailed the construction of a new kitchen diner that would seamlessly merge with the existing layout. In accordance with the client's vision, the ground floor would be extended by approximately 2.5m to the rear, allowing for a spacious and inviting open plan area.

Throughout the design process, the integration of the extension's roof with the existing structure was carefully considered to ensure a harmonious and unified aesthetic. Additionally, the client expressed a strong desire for bi-fold doors at the back of the extension, along with strategically placed skylights to flood the new open space with abundant natural light.

To further cater to the client's needs, the project also encompassed a first-floor side extension, facilitating the creation of a luxurious master bedroom complete with a dressing room and en-suite bathroom.