Project schedule #7 Rear Extension in Hampton

 
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Project schedule

Year: 2018-2019

Location: Hampton, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

RIBA Design Stages: 0-5

Architect:

Square One Architects

Structural Engineer:

Steve Nicolaou

Building Control:

Building Control Approval

In this schedule we will revisit a project designed in 2018 for a rear extension in Hampton.

This was a very fun project for a young couple and their lovely dog. The existing house was a typical terraced property that had been extended at loft level.

The ground floor of the house also featured a rear extension probably from the 1980’s. The extension had been poorly built at designed and needed renovation. This is a very typical scenario, house extensions built in the 80’s are often mediocre construction with hardly any insulation and poorly performing windows.

In this case the rear extension was also not making the most out of the full width of the site leaving a side-patio that was essentially wasted space.

Internally an opening had been created between the reception room and the rear. More and more clients are asking us to revert these types of feature. The front reception room was usually designed to create a buffer between the street and the more private rear of the house and people are starting to appreciate this feature more and more.

Our project targeted all the problems highlighted above with a new rear extension that included a bright kitchen and dining area and a new WC and utility room in the darker section of the ground floor.

We analysed daylight carefully in order to provide as much natural daylight to the extension as possible. The before and after pictures speak for themselves.

The clients’ feedback was great, they felt the ground floor had been resolved with a rear hallway leading to the ground floor WC (separated from the rest of the living and dining areas). The rear extension features large skylights and Crittall style French doors and window (supplied by Fabco Sanctuary). They also appreciated having a very private front room.

The result is a very practical layout with an open and bright living area that the clients will certainly enjoy in the years to come.

Before and after images

Open plan

Open plan

Kitchen

Kitchen

External view

External view

Side return

Side return

A-frame extension in Hampton

Our project for an A-frame rear extension in Hampton has been completed and is now live. You can have a look at the latest photos by clicking here.

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This project dates back from 2016 when our client, a young family of four with two children, got in touch with Square One Architects to design a single storey rear extension for their house, a 1930s semi-detached 2-bedroom property in Hampton.

The existing house was typical and featured a non-original conservatory that used to be too hot in the summer and too cold in winter. The rest of the ground floor was not very spacious and quite dark.

The client’s brief included the demolition of the existing conservatory and creation of a new extension with an open plan solution. The new open plan would include a generous kitchen, dining area and living space.

The client expressed an interest for a very specific type of structure that featured an “A-frame” , including a gable window and a set of bi-fold doors. This is not an unusual configuration; however, it presents its own challenges when built as an extension to an existing period building. The biggest challenge for this project was in fact the integration of the structural solution (designed by our structural engineer) and the existing structure.

The other challenge was planning. In first instance the council deemed the proposed full-width extension to be too large so we had to go through a negotiation process that led to the final solution which includes the rear extension and flat roofed side extension.

Square One architects managed to overcome these difficulties and delivered the project that our client wanted. The result is an incredibly spacious extension that benefits from a generous amount of daylight. As usual daylight was predicted using daylight simulation methods that come from our Director’s background in lighting design.

First images of our new project for a loft extension in Hampton

We recently got planning approval for a loft extension project to a large detached house in Hampton. The project includes a new master bedroom, dressing area, a large bathroom and a new study opening on the extended staircase. We are now working on the detail design phase, more images will follow.

The client for this project provided Square One Architects with a brief that could be summarized as a loft extension for their Victorian 4-bedroom detached house located in the heart of Hampton and within the Hampton Village Conservation Area.

The property in question, an impressive large historic house built in the XIX century, was peculiar being detached from the neighboring property by a very narrow nominal gap.

The property had also been extended to the rear in more than one occasion and it featured a partly pitched and partly flat roof.

Unfortunately, the pitched roof did not have enough head height to form a habitable loft extension so one of the main requirements of the project from a planning perspective was to raise the ridge of the existing roof to meet the required standards.

It was agreed with the client to prepare a pre-planning application for a design that would involve raising the ridge of the existing roof and extending it towards the back. This configuration provided enough space for a master bedroom, a large bathroom, dressing area and a study.

Another request from the client was to keep the existing stair of the house as bright as possible. The presence of a very large skylight above the new stair and a large central shaft guarantees that this request is successful met.

Following the pre-planning application, the external look of the extension was slightly changed to introduce a mansard profile towards the rear and three conservation style dormers. This alteration was met very positively by the local authority that subsequently provided planning approval for the proposals.

The result is a very large loft extension that is in keeping with the character of the Conservation Area and at the same time addresses is all the targets that our clients included in the initial brief.

Rear extension in Hampton under construction

We recently visited the construction site of our project for a rear extension to a large detached house in Hampton and we were impressed by the quality of the open space and the amount of daylight received internally. The project is well underway, and we will shortly share the final pictures.

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We recently went on site to see the progress for this large rear extension to a 1930s detached house in Hampton.

The existing house featured a non-original conservatory to the rear that did not address the client’s requirements. Our initial brief included the construction of a six meters rear extension that would include the kitchen, dining and sitting area. The project would also include a utility room a coat storage and a small guest WC.

The client had several other requirements, in particular the kitchen needed to have its own character and the overall architecture of the extension would have to reflect any changes in the internal layout. Another requirement was for a flush threshold between the inside and the outside in order to have a seamless transition between the new indoor space and the rear garden.

In order to provide a specific character to the kitchen it was agreed with the client to split the rear extension into two sections with the first one characterized by flat roof and the second one, above the kitchen, characterized by a pitched roof. This created an interesting rear elevation that reflected the changes in the internal layout as per our client’s request.

The project obtained planning approval in early 2019 and after that we worked with the client in order to achieve a fully detailed tender package that would be priced by several contractors. The winning contractor started works in late 2019 and the project is now almost completed.

Our site and confirmed that the strategy of having two separate roof construction types created an impressive space that feel bright and spacious, with its own strong character and with incredible views on the beautiful rear garden of the property.

New project in Hampton

We have been appointed to develop a loft extension and a ground floor extension to an interesting 1930's bungalow in Hampton. More images will follow in the near future

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The client, a family of three with one child, approached us in 2019 with an ambitions project for their two bedrooms bungalow in Hampton. Bungalows have always a great potential in terms of further development due to their usually very large footprint.

In this case the existing bungalow had been extended to the rear, however the extension was not heated and poorly built. Another issue is that the previous owner had not opened the original rear wall of the property and because of this, the original rooms facing the back of the property had lost views and daylight. This is a very typical scenario and we had to face similar situations in the past, for example in the case of our project for a rear extension in Kingston that can be seen here.

The project is divided in three phases that include a loft extension, a side extension and a rear extension. In these circumstances we usually suggest designing the whole project in one go and then extrapolate the various elements to be built in different phases.

In this instance the first stage will involve extending the existing roof of the property to form two or three new bedrooms and a family bathroom. The project also involves extending the existing roof through side dormers that will allow to achieve the necessary head height throughout the second floor.

Two apex windows, along with a number of skylights, will provide daylight to the new bedrooms and will be one of he features of both the front and the rear façade.

We can’t wait to show more detailed drawings and start construction of this interesting project.

Crittall style doors for a project in Hampton

We love Crittal style doors and windows. In this instance the doors were supplied by Fabco Sanctuary

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For the second time in a row we used Crittall style doors and windows supplied by Fabco Sanctuary for a project of ground floor rear extension in Hampton.

In this instance the client approached us after having seen our project for a rear extension in Teddington and asked to use the same type of doors that had been used in that instance. We were very glad to adopt the same solution for this project because we are big fans of these types of steel doors and windows that maximize daylight and views thank to their thin frames.

Crittall doors and windows have a long history in Britain. These types of steel doors and windows frames have been fabricated since the 1930’s. Crittall remains one of the most important manufacturers of these steel doors and windows, however there are several other companies that provide competitive “Crittall style” frames.

Modern thermal requirements meant a change in the design of the frame to include double glazing and thermal breaks.

Despite not being the most thermally efficient doors and windows on the market these types of frames manage to achieve levels of transmittance that are generally accepted by building control.

We feel that the industrial look of these doors and windows along with the simple lines of a minimal white flat roof extension provide character and contrast to extensions carried out for houses that date back to the 1930`s or similar period.

The project has been now completed and the final pictures can be seen here.

Garden office in Hampton published on Real Homes

Looking back at the publication of our project for a garden office in Hampton on the July issue of Real Homes Magazine.

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Our project for a garden office in Hampton was published on the July 2019 issue of Real Homes Magazine.

This marks a very significant step for our firm since it is the first relevant national publication of our work.

The project of the garden office is understandably a project that is very close to our heart since it is our very own office.

The idea of having a separated building for our practice dates to 2015 when the office was founded. The idea behind this was that it would make sense to enhance our property and at the same time achieve a very practical space to carry out our operations. With many people working remotely from home I suspect that this kind of configuration will become more and more popular.

We feel that our office is much more than a traditional garden office shed and from a planning perspective, it is a very good example of what you can build under Permitted Development.

We are very happy that our project was recognized as worthy of publication. The office itself proved to be a wonderful space to carry out or work as Architects in every moments of the day. The amount of daylight received both in the morning and in the afternoon is just optimal in any season of the year and this makes us very satisfied.

In a sense we treated the office project as our very own experiment and we can say that it embodies all the qualities that we try to achieve in every project: attention to detail, materials quality and careful relationship between architecture and daylight.

The same magazine asked to publish an article for another Square One Architects projects, the house extension in East Sheen. This may follow in the next few months; we will certainly keep our blog updated!

Loft extension in Hampton given planning approval

We recently received planning approval for a large loft extension to a detached house in a Conservation Area. These projects are always challenging due to planning constraints, but working in close collaboration with the Council can lead to a very positive outcome. We are now very excited to start the Detail Design phase, more images will follow soon!

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The project is for a very large loft extension within a Conservation Area and as it always happens in these cases we had to go through several steps before receiving the formal approval.

The first one was to discuss the project with our clients and agree the overall design of the extension. Following this we sent the drawings to the Council to receive pre-planning application advice.

In this circumstance the pre-planning application proved to be extremely useful. We were able to engage in a very constructive conversation with the council and agree a design that would satisfy all the parties involved.

Our initial proposal was for a very modern looking loft extension including metal cladding and large doors and windows. The project also involved raising the ridge and the eaves of the existing roof.

Given the conservation status of the area we were not surprised when we received the first feedback from the council that suggested to use a more traditional language externally. We amended the proposals to include a mansard roof and smaller traditional looking dormers facing the rear of the property. We also included several roof lights that would not be visible from the street.

In the grand scheme of things this worked very well for us because we essentially achieved the same amount of space that we initially proposed. The daylight intake that we lost by reducing the size of doors and windows to the rear was regained by using skylights placed in strategic positions.

The result will be a gorgeous open space that will take advantage of a significant head height that matches the first floor of the property and very adequate daylight intake.

We can wait to see the project build and we'll update the blog in due course

Work in progress: Daylight analysis for one of our projects in Hampton

We usually determine the final dimension of doors and skylights using daylight analysis tools. These tools play a crucial role in our design process, allowing us to carefully assess and optimize the luminance levels on specific dates. For one of our ongoing projects in Hampton, we recently conducted a thorough analysis and the images below refer to a daylight simulation on March 21st at 12.00.

When it comes to predicting daylight levels, at Square One Architects, we rely on two key metrics: daylight factor and luminance. These metrics provide us with valuable insights, each with its own advantages and limitations. The daylight factor offers a straightforward snapshot of the projected average daylight levels, while luminance provides a more intricate analysis, taking into account factors such as orientation, the day of the year, and the time of day. By carefully cross-referencing these results, we can effectively communicate to our clients the reasons behind our optimized design choices for doors, windows, and skylights, tailored to their unique project requirements.

This particular project involves both a ground floor extension and a loft extension, posing unique challenges when it comes to daylighting. When it comes to the ground floor extension, it is of utmost importance to consider the predicted level of daylight in relation to the orientation of the building and the size of the glazed surfaces. Thankfully, in this case, the rear extension faces north, granting us the opportunity to incorporate generous glazed surfaces while minimizing the risk of overheating during the warmer summer months.

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Work in progress: rear and loft extension in Hampton

We want to show you a beautiful picture of our latest project in Hampton. It's an extension at the back and on the top floor of a house. The picture shows a modern and impressive design with a lot of attention to detail. In the picture, you can see a playroom, a dining area, and an open plan kitchen. The design makes the space flow smoothly, which is great for relaxing and socializing.

At Square One Architects, we take pride in being able to explain our design ideas clearly to our clients. We often use 3D modelling tools to help our clients understand and appreciate our designs. These tools allow our clients to experience their future homes in a virtual way. This advanced technique makes it easier for our clients to imagine their dream homes. With our expertise in 3D modelling, we make sure to include a lot of detail and make everything look realistic. This helps our clients form a strong connection with their imagined spaces.

3D modelling comes particularly handy following the planning stage when clients are expected to take important decisions on their projects, such as materials, kitchen design, lighting, and many more. Utilizing 3D modelling technology allows architects to present clients with a variety of options in quick succession, enabling them to visualize the different possibilities with ease and make well-informed decisions. The ability to present multiple designs efficiently not only saves time but also enhances collaboration between the architect and the client, ensuring that the final outcome meets the client's expectations and preferences. By harnessing the power of 3D modelling, architects can bring ideas to life, enabling clients to make informed choices and ultimately leading to the creation of stunning, functional spaces.

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Planning approval for one of our projects in Hampton

We are excited to announce that we have received approval to redesign a semi-detached house in Hampton. The project includes making changes inside to improve how the space works and looks. We are also thrilled to add an extension on the back of the ground floor, giving our clients more room and a better connection to the outdoors. A new extension in the loft will also be added to create a cozy retreat.

The strategic north-facing orientation of the back of the house presents an ideal opportunity for us to capitalize on the abundant natural light, as we can confidently design and incorporate expansive glazed surfaces without worrying too much about the potential negative effects of overheating.

We are now entering an important part of the project - the detailed design phase. This is when the project takes its final shape and gets ready for construction. During this phase, we will work closely with our clients, helping them make decisions on things like materials, lighting, windows, and more. These decisions will be carefully included in the final design, so that it matches what the clients want. The detailed design phase is a big step towards making the project a reality.

We can't wait to start working on this amazing home for our clients in Hampton.

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Loft extension in the Hampton Conservation Area: new video under construction

We recently visited our project for a loft extension in a Conservation Area. This video shows the transition between the new stair to landing to the new master bedroom and en-suite.

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The client approached Square One Architects in 2018 with the specific brief for their three-bedroom semi-detached house in the Hampton Village Conservation Area.

The intention was to use the loft of their property as a new master bedroom with an en suite. The room would take advantage of some very interesting views to the rear towards the Hampton Water Works and unobstructed daylight.

Given the fact that the property was in a Conservation Area, we suggested the client to go through a pre-planning procedure in order to obtain an informal feedback from the Council.

This was very useful, and it helped inform a second iteration of the design that included a mansard roof and two smaller lead dormers that was deemed to be more in keeping with the existing property and the character of the Conservation Area in general.

The original stair of the property, connecting the ground floor and the first floor, was very steep and its head height was already quite limited. One of the challenges of this project was to design the new stair contacting the first floor and second floor without further compromising the already limited head height at first floor level. Thanks to a very precise 3D model we managed to foresee the exact dimensions of the new stair in relationship to the existing one and this helped tremendously our communication with building control and the stair’s supplier before and during construction stage.

This loft conversion video was taken around the end of the construction process. The room feels bright and spacious and take advantage of the generous amount of daylight from the two new windows to the rear and two large skylights installed at the front of the property. The new bathroom was installed within the eaves of the roof and it is naturally lit by one further skylight facing the front of the dwelling.

More images to follow soon.

Loft extension in the Conservation Area in Hampton Village

Check out our new video of a loft extension project in Hampton Conservation area. See the construction progress and attention to detail as the extension comes together. This addition includes a spacious landing area, a beautiful master bedroom, and a luxurious en-suite bathroom. Watch as this empty space is transformed into a modern yet charming design.

The client initially approached Square One Architects back in 2017 with the exciting project of extending their charming 3-bed semidetached house in Hampton. This property, situated within the Hampton Village Conservation Area, held great potential for an expansion. With a vision to create a spacious haven, the client specifically wanted to extend the loft area to craft a master bedroom complete with an en-suite bathroom.
Upon examining the property, we discovered that it already featured an existing gable roof, which conveniently provided an internal height of approximately 2.8m. This height proved sufficient to accommodate our proposed loft extension, sparing us the need for major alterations to the ceilings below. With this positive starting point, we engaged in extensive discussions with the client regarding the planning strategy for their renovation.
Considering the property's location within the Conservation Area, we mutually agreed to take a proactive approach by submitting a pre-planning application. This strategic move allowed us to seek preliminary feedback from the Council, ensuring our design aligned seamlessly with the neighborhood's rich architectural heritage. By involving the local authorities early on, we could streamline the planning and approval process, thus reducing potential delays.
To optimize space utilization within the property, we strategically positioned the new staircase for seamless connectivity between the first and second floors. By aligning it with the existing stairway, we minimized any unnecessary loss of space at the first floor level. This thoughtful design solution ensured that the loft extension harmoniously blended with the existing layout, enhancing both practicality and aesthetic appeal.
At Square One Architects, we pride ourselves on crafting solutions that not only cater to our clients' desires but also effectively navigate local regulations. This project in Hampton embodies our commitment to preserving the architectural integrity of heritage areas while tastefully elevating the living experience for homeowners.

Rear extension in Hampton

We are excited to share two short videos of our newest project—an amazing addition to the back of a house in Hampton. More pictures will be coming soon!

The client initially engaged our services back in 2018, seeking assistance with a rear extension and internal alterations for their four-bedroom terraced house in Hampton. While the upper levels of the property had undergone renovations, it was evident that the ground floor did not uphold the same standards. Displeased with the overall layout, the client felt that the space was not maximized to its full potential. In addition, the house contained a non-original rear extension from the 1980's. This extension, lacking in quality and failing to fully utilize the plot's width, raised concerns. As a result, we developed a plan to design a new rear extension, which would replace the outdated one and seamlessly integrate a new open space comprising a kitchen, dining area, and small seating space. The spacious layout incorporates a stylish kitchen island and a generous 6-seater table. Furthermore, to enhance functionality, we incorporated a small guest WC, utility space, and under stair storage on the ground floor. Additionally, to restore the original charm, we reinstated the front reception room by removing a previously blocked-off partition wall. The back of the property features beautiful and well-crafted doors and windows with clean lines, supplied by Fabco Sanctuary. These architectural elements add a touch of modern style and timeless beauty to the overall design, enhancing both the look and functionality of the property.

Loft extension in Hampton Village under construction

This afternoon we visited our project in the Hampton Village Conservation Area to monitor the contractor’s progress on site and we were very pleased to see how well it is coming along!

This loft conversion will provide the family with an additional bedroom with an en-suite and storage as well as a new study space. Due to the location of the property within the conservation area our design is intentionally subtle so that it sits subserviently within the special architectural character of the area. Without the ability to place large dormers and extensions, we instead had the opportunity to play around with characterful dormers and flush roof lights to create a dynamic internal environment for our clients which not only provides them with new accommodation space but also fits within the context of the area.

This allowed to obtain planning approval without causing any delay to the overall process. Similar solutions were used in other projects elsewhere with great success.

You can also see a video of the interiors of the loft extension whilst being built by clicking here.

We look forward to seeing the final images of the project and will update this blog post as soon as these become available!

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A-Frame Extension Nearing Completion in Hampton

Our project in Hampton is making great progress on site. This morning we visited to check in on the contractor’s progress and we were very pleased to see the crisp apex window detail installed!

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Our project for in A-frame extension to an existing semi-detached house in Hampton is now well under construction.

The bi-fold doors and gable windows, two of the main features of this extension project, have been delivered on site and installed and they look great.

The picture above was taken in a very special moment of the construction process. At this stage it is usually obvious whether what has been designed reflects what has been built and we were very pleased to confirm that the Architects and Clients' vision was successfully delivered.

The configuration of a pitched roof and a vaulted ceiling, along with bi-fold door and gable windows, is optimal to maximize the views whilst retaining the traditional flavor of a sloped roof that relates visually to the existing character of the property.

The large width of this extension (that technically is part rear, part side extension) allows to open the views over the rear garden.

The large bi-fold doors can be fully opened guaranteeing a high degree of ventilation when necessary.

We are very pleased with the results so far and look forward to seeing the project finished.

A-frame extension in Hampton

Today we visited one of our projects currently under construction in Hampton with a very interesting A-frame structure. More pictures to follow!

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Our projects for an A-frame home extension in Hampton has started.

We visited the site recently and were impressed by the dramatic volume that the new structure is outlining.

The picture above shows the steel structure forming the gable window and the large opening for the bi-fold doors.

Part of the complexity of the project from both a structural and an architectural point of view was the interrelationship between the new steel structure and the existing masonry fabric that included the original 1930’s structural brick walls and a non-original flat roofed extension that can be seen in the picture above on the left hand side.

In order to form a new large opening between the existing house and the new extension, the structural engineer specified a large picture frame structure that included top and bottom beams and two steel columns.

As Architects we had the responsibility of understanding exactly how the new structure would relate to the existing fabric of the house and providing creative solutions regarding the interconnection of the structure to the other architectural elements including the roof tiles, insulation, waterproofing and internal finishes.

This project was rather challenging from a structural point of view and we discussed this in detail in this post. Another blog post discusses the project’s development on many levels and its challenges from a planning perspective and can be seen here.

The project is now built, and final photos can be seen here.

Small extension in Hampton

Today we visited a small rear extension in Hampton we recently designed. More pictures to follow!

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The project for a rear extension to a 1960’s semi-detached brick house in Hampton has been completed.

The existing property had been extended approximately 20 years ago go with a conservatory that used to be too hot in the summer and too cold in winter, as it often happens in these cases.

The clients’ brief was to remove the conservatory and build a new rear extension to match the existing conservatory in terms of footprint.

The rear extension was built under Permitted Development however its design was very different from the original volume of the old conservatory.

in order to provide the feeling of a more seamless transition between the existing spaces and the new one it was decided to design a flat roof extension that guaranteed a flat ceiling with the same height of the existing one.

This created a visual connection between the existing kitchen space and the new extension that was going to be used as a dining area.

Daylight was very important for our clients and one of the main points in their briefs was that they enjoyed the generous amount of light that they received through their conservatory and although they were ready to loose part of it, they still wanted to have a very bright extension.

The project also included a new side window to provide daylight and views to an existing playroom.

We ran a daylight simulation in order to finalize the position and size of the skylight, windows and French door.

Both us and our client were extremely happy with the result and the build extension confirmed what we had foreseen through our drawings.

“Iacopo is everything you want in an Architect. Talented, thoughtful, precise, punctual and fantastic value for money. He listened carefully to our specification, guided us when we were lacking in knowledge and responded incredibly well when we changed our minds. He took our ground floor extension from a pipe dream to a design in weeks, his skill set enabled the design to go through local planning at the first time of asking. He held ours hands whilst we chose the building company to complete the work. We literally could not be happier with Iacopo - brilliant!”

Project in Hampton under construction

We were very happy to visit one of our ongoing projects today. This project involves a complex transformation of a lovely house from the 1930s. The house is located in Hampton. We are excited to see the impressive changes being made, which include adding extra space to the rear and side of the ground floor, redesigning the first floor in a careful way, and turning the loft into a stunning master bedroom.

The client came to us in 2016 with a request to expand their semi-detached house. They wanted a rear extension to create more space in their kitchen and dining area, with the added feature of bi-fold doors that would connect the indoors with the outdoors. In addition, they wanted to replace the entire ground floor with a new timber floor and stone tiles in the kitchen. Another aspect of their request was a new side extension that would house a utility room accessible from both the front and rear of the property. This utility room would serve as storage, hold a washing machine, dog equipment, and even a bicycle. The side extension would also include a convenient guest WC. Recognizing that the existing lighting was insufficient, the client asked us to design a new lighting layout that would meet their needs. Finally, the project would encompass a loft extension to be transformed into a spacious master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom.

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