At the inception of the project, the property had been neglected for decades, the roof and 2 storey return had partly fallen in, and due to the ingress of rain, the plasterwork and joinery was beyond repair. However, the overall Victorian proportions remained and the architectural potential was clear to see. The property was dark, small, boxy and had a very small garden. The design intent was to recycle this property and create a contemporary modern home while at the same time retaining the Victorian proportions and spaces of the original dwelling.
The design stayed true to the character of the property and respected the old by recycling what fabric of the existing property could be reused or salvaged to create the new. The boxy feel of the property was removed by interconnecting all the spaces at ground floor and creating a true inside outside living space with no internal doors at ground floor level and a courtyard that integrates with the kitchen dining living spaces. The salvaged brick from the removed projection, which forms the fabric of the new extension, helps maintain the flow from the courtyard to the inside space.
The large overbearing 4.5M boundary wall acts as an organic feature and helps create a light shaft which in turn creates an uplift of space.Weathering corten steel wraps the new extension as a sharp counterpoint to the rough stone wall and with it's ever changing colours keeps the ovreall aesthetic interesting and organic.