Category: Refurbishment

14
Oct

Copper Roof Conversion | Winston | Architects in Hackney

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A copper roof conversion to a mid-terraced Victorian house provides a unique view of the stars.

The traditional London ‘butterfly’ roof has been converted to provide a copper roof conversion to the top of the house. forresterarchitects were given a free rein in the design proposal. The client was keen to avoid the default mid-terraced dormer extension.
 
The key design feature, a large oval glazed roof-light, animates the interior of the new master bedroom. It acts like a sundial effect as the sun passes overhead. The roof-light is electrically operated from the king-size bed and in the evening offers unrestricted views of the sky at night. Should the weather take a change for the worse the glazed roof-light closes over. The roof conversion is clad in a natural copper cladding. The copper cladding will change from orange to green in the same manner as the roofs of the traditional roof architecture of London.
 
A cool white interior is complimented with flashes of colour expressed in the feature wall. The wall separates the master bedroom from the shower-room. Two enlarged clerestory windows provide increased day lighting to the bathroom. A twin-shower is set against a glass mosaic tiled wall, which provides a key feature to the new master suite. A crisp white resin floor, which provides seamless continuity between the bathroom and master bedroom. An east-facing terrace offers uninterrupted views across the city and an early morning sunrise for a modern roof conversion.

14
Oct

Office Refurbishment | Lyons | Architects in Hammersmith

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forresterarchitects have completed an office refurbishment to a commercial property in Hammersmith, West London.

forresterarchitects has recently completed an office refurbishment project for a media publishing company in Hammersmith, West London. The project involved inserting a dedicated entrance refurbishment into the East wing of the acquired office building, which has significantly increased the potential rental value of the property.

As part of the refurbishment, a new reception foyer was added to the ground floor, creating a visible street frontage that presents a valuable new street presence for the media company. The use of a minimalist design approach featuring stainless steel flat bar handrails and a new frameless glass entrance adds a contemporary touch to the building’s exterior, enhancing its visual appeal and giving it a modern look.

The new entrance design also offers an inviting welcome to visitors and employees, creating a professional and welcoming atmosphere. The addition of a dedicated entrance refurbishment has transformed the building’s aesthetic and provided an excellent opportunity to improve its rental value for the client.

Overall, the office refurbishment project by forresterarchitects showcases how even the smallest changes can have a significant impact on a building’s value and appearance. The new reception foyer and entrance design have improved the building’s functionality, providing an inviting and modern space that meets the needs of the media publishing company. The use of a minimalist design language complements the building’s existing architecture while adding a contemporary touch to its exterior, making it stand out on the street.

14
Oct

Art Deco Refurbishment | Donnington | Architects in Queens Park

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A series of unremarkable post war detached houses are nestling a fine 1930’s Art Deco house in Queen Park, North West London.

forresterarchitects provided a full architectural service for an Art Deco refurbishment with a new rear extension in Queen’s Park, North West London. The project involved giving a new lease of life to an Art Deco house that had been nestling among a series of unremarkable post-war detached houses.

The original kitchen of the house was small for its size, and the growing family desired a better connection between the kitchen and the large rear garden. To address this, an inventive solution was needed, and a kitchen courtyard space was introduced. This new space created a visual connection between the landscaped garden and the reconfigured kitchen, dining room, and lounge room. In addition to the new kitchen courtyard space, a series of new steps were added to provide easy access up to the landscaped garden. As the project progressed, the scope of work was increased to include a complete refurbishment of all bedrooms and bathrooms. One of the bedrooms was transformed into an en-suite to the master bedroom, which featured ample space for a twin shower. The plumbing was installed for future use, though the client did not require a bath. To complete the Art Deco refurbishment, a new rendered facade and roof were added, creating a revitalised building frontage to the street. 

forresterarchitects demonstrated their ability to address the challenges of the existing building while creating modern living spaces. Their design solutions maximised the potential of the property, providing a better connection between the interior and exterior spaces. The refurbishment in Queen’s Park, North West London is a perfect example of how a historic property can be given a new lease of life while preserving its character.

14
Oct

Rear Extension with Basement | Carysfort | Architects in Hackney

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A rear extension with basement to a full house refurbishment to a large Victorian house in Stoke Newington

Out latest project is a rear extension with basement to a full house refurbishment to a large Victorian house in Stoke Newington. The client had not refurbished the house since its purchase ten years previous. During this period it had suffered from years of student occupation and was tired. The upper floors were bowed and there were signs of subsidence. The house had never been decorated and only one bathroom served a four-bedroom house.

 Key to the client’s requirements was a provide a large equipped kitchen to cater for and entertain their friends. Located to the rear of the house the original kitchen wasn’t big enough and suffered from a lack of daylight. The rear garden is small but it is West facing and well positioned for bright sunlit afternoons. The proposed rear extension was configured as a full width glazed extension to maximise on space and light. A frameless glazed roof-light was added to the full length of the new side extension and terminates at the garden with a projecting window seat. The window seat is a key design feature. It forms a focal point within the kitchen and avoid a mundane design solution typical to many side and rear extensions.
Subtle alterations have been made to remove a few irritations that the client has endured over the years. On entering into the house, the reception wall has been cutback to remove a tight pinch-point where the stair meets the rear lounge space. The front and rear lounge has been reconfigured as an open plan arrangement. The removal of the supporting separating wall between the front and rear lounge rooms. Essential to the brief the kitchen remains separated from the main body of the house. With large glazed pivot doors it allows the sunlight to enter the middle of the house and avoids cooking aromas filtering up through the house. The room layout of each floor to the house configuration remains as the original layout. The existing stairwell balustrade has been replaced with a full height frameless glass wall. To the upper floors each bedroom has been provided with dedicated bespoke wardrobe and storage solutions. A new study-room has been added and the existing master bathroom has been refurbished. The top floor is meant for guests and a new guest shower-room has been added. By locating the new shower-room on the top floor landing it avoided compromising valuable bedroom floor space. This often under utilised space provides a simple design solution for sanitary provision right at the top of the house.
 
There was an opportunity to provide a low-engineered basement solution. Many basement extensions need costly underpinning. A simple low-engineered structural solution was developed by forresterarchitects. Several basement configurations were costed to determine the most appropriate use of space. The client confirmed the need for a partial basement floor conversion as the most cost effective solution. The new basement provided 75% of the full floor plate achieved on the ground floor with a respectable floor to ceiling height of 2.4m. The new basement provided a dedicated storage and utility space. As is typical with this house types there is never enough adequate storage provision. A simple monochromatic palette has been adopted throughout the house and basement extension.  The palette provides the most suitable neutral backdrop for the client’s extensive art collection.
 
14
Oct

Diagonal Rear Extension | Barlby | Architects in Kensington & Chelsea

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A diagonal rear extension replaces a tired conservatory  in Ladbroke Grove, West London.

A diagonal rear extension has replaced a tired conservatory that used to occupy the garden of a mid-terraced house in Ladbroke Grove, West London. The house is located in the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area, within the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. To provide a modern and vibrant solution to extend the rear of the property, a natural copper cladding has been used.

The new extension provides an enlarged kitchen with a dedicated utility room and extra storage space. The full-height folding/sliding doors, which extend over 6.5 metres, provide access to a raised external terrace. The terrace and the rear extension both overlook a mature garden from an uninterrupted south-facing aspect, creating a spacious and inviting atmosphere. In addition to the rear extension, the house has been refurbished to include the remodelling of the master bathroom and bedrooms on the upper floor. The use of a natural copper cladding adds a unique touch to the property’s exterior, creating a bold and contemporary look that complements the existing architecture.

Over time, the copper cladding will oxidise and change from orange to green, in the same manner as the traditional roof architecture of London. This will give the property a more natural and aged appearance, adding to its overall charm and character.

The new diagonal rear extension has transformed the tired conservatory into a stylish and modern addition that enhances the functionality and visual appeal of the property. The enlarged kitchen and additional storage space, combined with the raised external terrace, provide ample room for entertainment and relaxation, while the natural copper cladding adds a unique touch to the property’s exterior.

See other projects in your Borough:

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Project Type:

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