forresterarchitects are nearing the end of the complete rebuilding of a semi-detached house in Hornchurch, Essex. An alternative design to a new dormer conversion complete with 6m extension and house refurbishment in the heart of Essex. The house has been planned around a new stairwell which has been repositioned to serve a new floor added to the top of the house. Every room has been reconfigured and the floor plan is now much more efficient. The energy efficiency of the house has been improved with new double glazed units replacing all single glazed windows. At 6m deep, a larger than normal extension has also been granted planning permission to the rear and provides an open plan arrangement.
It’s rare you find a cottage in your garden but my clients have that on purchasing their house in Highgate. That said it has remained under utilised over the years. It is now time for some upgrading and the cottage is to be enlivened to provide stand alone accommodation for your holidays or for the in-laws . When not used by guests it will have a certain amount of flexibility to provide a study area for the client’s daughters and their friends. In the evening it will be used as a party venue following dinner parties or where they can watch a film. The provision of a sliding partition wall will allow the cottage to be subdivided into dedicated areas to provide privacy. The mezzanine will be orientated to run the length of the cottage. It will remain as a visual connection to the ground floor and provide a dedicated study area with extra bedroom space. To assist in the flexibility of space clever joinery will be incorporated to conceal the bed when not in use.
A new outrigger extension is required to replace the original kitchen extension. A new form is explored to avoid the typical full-width extension. A series of angled facets is explored and developed further to define an original form for the new kitchen extension. The facets provide a notional subdivision of the kitchen and define the preparation, washing and breakfast areas. The aim is to respond to and respect its sensitive garden setting in terms of material, language, form and construction. The inclined form rises to the garden to provide a natural shading device from the sun. It drops to the rear against the neighbouring adjacent extension.
Currently configured as a two bedroom with a fine South facing aspect. The internal layout to a Dartmouth Park maisonette is to completely reconfigured. The main living rooms are moved to the rear with the creation of an open plan double-height space which opens onto the rear garden. Two extra bedrooms are relocated to the rear of the property other bedrooms. The new maisonette with better connectivity with the garden now feels more like a new house.
As part of the design feasibility proposals for the improvement of Betty Layward school. The next issue is external circulation. The morning drop is made difficult as the school is accessed between two townhouses. The width is restricted to all the parents and children bottlenecking at this entrance each morning. Alternative strategies are being implemented. large loop around the perimeter of the school has provided some relief. It does involve entering the school through the car park and exiting through the front gate. The circular route does alleviate that feeling of swimming against the tide of parents as you try to leave the school.
Our Harcombe house extension in Stoke Newington has been Built on a landlocked brownfield site in North London. The four interlocking house is simple brick constructions with oversized windows. The upper floors are spacious double-height living rooms with plenty of daylight and framed views of the local environment. Each of the open plan kitchens has direct access to a private external terrace, which is located between each house.