Category: House Refurbishment

09
Nov

Books are flying off the shelves at Betty Layward’s new school library.

Posted by / House Refurbishment

School Library | Architects for Hackney | forrester architects

The books are flying off the shelves at Betty Layward’s new school library in Stoke Newington. The library opened its doors today and the ribbon was cut by author and illustrator Jane Ray.  A school has reclaimed space from the IT room. If you thought a school was built around the library then things have changed since you were at school. Throughout the development, the parents were involved to re-establish the library. The children can enjoy and focus on reading on paper and not on screen.
 
The works are being carried out over the summer and completed for the new term. In keeping with the rapidly changing times, there will be a mixture of paper and electronic media to keep up with evolving technologies. Bespoke furniture has been arranged to create three informal reading zones with easy access to the book shelving. The bookshelves are made to be accessible to all ages. And when needed by a full classroom the bookshelves can be moved aside to allow a large seating area focussed on the whiteboard. A neighbouring project is a full house refurbishment. 
 
The aim is to provide a library that reflects the school ethos_to inspire, develop and nurture every child to have the confidence to learn.
31
Jul

A new courtyard Orangery to a Kensington & Chelsea townhouse.

Posted by / House Refurbishment

Courtyard Orangery | Architects for Kensington & Chelsea | West London

forresterarchitects are working with Callender Howorth on a new courtyard Orangery to a large Kensington & Chelsea townhouse. An existing courtyard space separates the main house from the mews house to the rear. The courtyard is under utilised and the client would like to use the space more throughout the year.
 
An courtyard Orangery unites each wing of the house. It provides a central gathering space for dining which remains an important part of the client’s daily routine. A number differing geometries are to be resolved due to differing scales between the main house and mews. Our initial proposal provides an undulating organic roof form to encapsulate the exterior courtyard. It provides a bright luxurious internalised garden space. The dining room will be relocated to form the main gathering point with an informal lounge space nestled under the mezzanine. An artist’s studio is added to the mezzanine terrace. and retain a visual connection with the main space and will be linked by a spiral stair to the lounge below. The undulating form of the canopy allows for the existing window configuration to be retained. A portion of the glazed roof-light will be openable to allow for natural ventilation throughout the Orangery. 
08
Nov

A non-conformist London roof returns to Stoke Newington.

Posted by / Extensions & Conversions, House Refurbishment

Rear Extension and House Refurbishment | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

forresterarchitects have completed a full house refurbishment to a fine Victorian terraced house in Stoke Newington. The house had not been decorated for many years and a refurbishment was well overdue.  A new non-conformist rear extension was proposed. A modern interpretation of the London Roof provides the extension with a unique language for the house. The roof structure is expressed as exposed timber joist with a plywood ceiling which adds a simple but natural warmth to the interior. A full architectural service was provided from inception through to contract administration and completion. 

The roof construction avoids a traditional cold roof construction of slate tile and rafter. Instead a single ply polymeric roof membrane provides a lightweight well-insulated alternative. A large hexagonal glass window frames views of the small urban garden from the living room.

As part of the reconfiguration works the kitchen has been moved into the middle of the house. A new open plan galley kitchen provides a connection between the lounge and the dining room which has moved to the front bay windowed room.  The dining room is now orientated for the early morning sun-rise to the East and perfect for breakfast. Other works to the house involve the conversion of the original roof space to provide a traditional loft conversion. This adds a new floor of accommodation for guests. A wet-room shower room has been located on the top floor landing to avoid losing any bedroom space. The house was configured as a three bedroom house now provides five bedrooms.  As part of the refurbishments works the entire house has been rewired with new plumbing throughout. Each room has been provided with hard-wired CAT 5 data connectivity.

 

17
Aug

A house refurbishment with new basement floor in Stoke Newington.

Posted by / House Refurbishment

House Refurbishment with Basement | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

A large Victorian house refurbishment and basement extension in Stoke Newington, North London is substantial house refurbishment. The house has not been refurbished since its purchase by the clients, ten years previous.  During this period the house suffered from student occupation and was tired. Not far from our other local new-build project in Stoke Newington

The upper floors were bowed and only one bathroom served a four bedroom house. A full house refurbishment was proposed with the requirement of a full-width rear extension. A low engineered basement solution was added as a cost effective solution basement extension to avoid underpinning. The new basement space provides a viable solution to the client’s storage and utility requirements. A projecting window seat was a key feature to the rear extension design proposal. A fully glazed roof-light provided a bright modern kitchen overlooking a modest garden. A large garden pond provides a new focal point to the garden. 

To the upper floor the large bedroom proportions are retained intact. A guest shower-room to the top floor landing provided a simple design solution without compromising the top bedrooms. A muted palette provided the most suitable background for the client’s extensive art collection.

01
Jul

Not the only way…a house refurbishment in Essex.

Posted by / House Refurbishment

Semi-Detached Refurbishment and Rear Extension | Architects for Havering | Hornchurch, Essex

forresterarchitects is currently in the final stages of a semi-detached house refurbishment in Hornchurch, Essex. The redesign centers on a new stairwell that has been repositioned to serve a new floor added to the top of the house. The energy efficiency of the house has been improved, replacing all single-glazed windows with new double-glazed units, and adding wall insulation to the exterior facade to keep heat inside. Every room has been reconfigured to create a more efficient floor plan. Additionally, a larger than normal rear extension has been added to provide an open-plan arrangement throughout the ground floor.

The refurbishment has greatly improved the functionality of the house, with a carefully planned layout and the addition of the new floor. The new stairwell and floor addition have also added a sense of spaciousness and light to the interior. The house is now much more energy-efficient with the added insulation and double-glazed windows, which will save the owners money on their heating bills. The larger rear extension has created an open plan space on the ground floor, providing a modern and functional living space for the owners. This space is filled with natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests. The extension has also enhanced the exterior of the house, with a contemporary design that seamlessly blends with the original architecture.

Overall, the refurbishment and rear extension have significantly enhanced the value and functionality of the house. forresterarchitects attention to detail and careful planning have resulted in a beautiful and functional home that is now more energy-efficient and enjoyable for the owners.

01
Dec

Dining intervention to a garden square Townhouse refurbishment within the Kennington Conservation Area.

Posted by / House Refurbishment

Garden Square Refurbishment & Extension | Architects of Lambeth | Kennington Conservation Area, South East London

forresterarchitects recently completed the refurbishment and extension of a charming mid-terraced townhouse in Kennington, South London. Although the house had well-proportioned living spaces and bedrooms, the galley kitchen was unremarkable and needed an update. The client wanted a modern, bright and airy kitchen, so the architects proposed a frameless glazed roof-light extension.

The new extension spans the full width of the house and connects the raised ground floor kitchen and dining room with the lower ground floor lounge room. This new addition provides much-needed connectivity between the different levels of the house, creating a seamless flow between the spaces. The glazed roof-light floods the kitchen with natural light, making it bright and inviting. The new kitchen is a modern and functional space, designed to meet the client’s requirements for a bright and airy atmosphere. forresterarchitects worked closely with the client to ensure that the design met their needs while also being visually appealing.

The frameless glazed roof-light is the focal point of the extension, providing a stunning view of the sky above and creating a sense of openness and spaciousness. It also allows natural light to penetrate deep into the house, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The full-width extension allowed for a larger kitchen area, providing plenty of space for cooking, entertaining, and dining. Overall, the refurbishment and extension of this quaint garden squared mid-terraced townhouse in Kennington, South London is a success.

23
Jul

A long overdue refurbishment complete with new basement floor is added to a Villa in the Mercers Conservation Area.

Posted by / House Refurbishment

Villa Refurbishment | Architects of Islington | Mercers Conservation Area, North London

forresterarchitects have been commissioned by a commercial client to carry out a full internal and external conservation refurbishment of their elegant Victorian villa in Tufnell Park, North London, located in the Mercers Conservation Area. The client’s brief was to preserve and enhance the original period features of the house, which required a meticulous and sensitive approach to the project.

The architects worked diligently to reinstate lost decorative features and to decorate the villa with paints from a Victorian palette that would complement the character of the house. The conservation refurbishment involved extensive work to restore the exterior and interior of the property to its former glory, with a particular focus on preserving the original period details. The architects also worked closely with the client to ensure that any new features and finishes were sympathetic to the villa’s heritage and did not detract from its historical charm. This involved carefully selecting materials and finishes that would blend seamlessly with the existing architecture and period details. 

The end result is a beautifully preserved and enhanced Victorian villa that is a testament to the architects’ skill and expertise in conservation refurbishment. The project showcases an attention to detail and commitment to preserving the character and heritage of historic buildings, which is vital in maintaining the cultural and architectural richness of our urban environment.

18
Apr

A mansion block refurbishment is reconfigured in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area.

Posted by / House Refurbishment

Mansion Block Refurbishment | Architects for Camden | Bloomsbury Conservation Area, West Central London

forresterarchitects recently completed the refurbishment of a mansion block in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area, West Central London. The flat was spacious and had a south-facing aspect, but its communal lightwell provided inadequate light levels to the interior. To address this issue, forresterarchitects introduced large sliding doors to the living and kitchen rooms, creating a more open-plan layout and allowing natural light to flood across the depth of the flat.

The reconfiguration also involved modernising the bathrooms and providing fine joinery wardrobes that complemented the bedrooms. The new kitchen layout included the incorporation of a walk-in larder, increasing the overall area of the kitchen. These changes not only resolved the light issue but also enhanced the functionality and aesthetics of the flat. As the flat is located in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area, it was crucial to ensure that the refurbishment was in keeping with the area’s historic architecture. forresterarchitects carefully selected materials and finishes that complemented the existing features of the building. The result is a modern and elegant living space that respects the historic context of the surrounding area.

The success of this project is a testament to forresterarchitects expertise in designing sympathetic and practical solutions for refurbishments in historic areas. Their attention to detail and sensitivity to the existing architecture have resulted in a beautiful and functional space that meets the needs of the client while respecting the historic context of the area.

See other projects in your Borough:

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New Build Commercial Interior Design Extensions & Conversions House Refurbishment Listed Buildings & Conservation