Blending the old and new to create a modern, family home
Dave and Lucy asked us to sensitively renovate and extend their 3 bedroom detached bungalow into an ample family home with striking modern extensions.
A home in need of more space
They’d bought a promising house in a great area. But it wasn’t obvious how to add the space they needed for their growing family; especially as they loved its cottage charm.
The upstairs of their home was the main issue, it was too small for their needs and poorly laid out.
Downstairs was a good size. But the kitchen was dark and disconnected from the other reception rooms.
Exceptional planning expertise
Due to the unusual design and the house being within a Conservation Area it wasn’t easy to creating the space and wow factor they craved and win planning approval for their home.
But despite these challenges HEM Architects helped them to realise their home’s potential. We created a bespoke design that retained the cottage’s charm whilst contrasting it with two contemporary extensions which took cues from its faux arts and crafts style.
The local authority were initially resistant to the modern extensions. But by using our tried and tested negotiation approach and the input of a heritage consultant, we were able to win planning on the first attempt with few compromises.
david, client
“After an original damning assessment of the design… we were dreading the sacrifices we would have to make to get it approved. Especially after getting excited with the design we had.”
“With the help of a heritage consultant, HEM Architects successfully discharged the council’s reservations with very minimal changes to our design.“
Stunning interiors
To the south is a stunning Main Bedroom with dressing room and en-suite. The show stopper is the sizeable window with views over their beautiful garden and the trees beyond.
We also helped Dave & Lucy with the interior design where plywood panelling and exposed steel give this room an ultra modern look inspired by Dave’s background in steel fabrication.
To the North, the second extension adds space and light to the open plan kitchen/diner where the family can relax and spend time together.
Whilst a large set of corner sliding doors and a split level design helps to beautifully connect their indoor space with their garden.
In the main house, a first floor bathroom was removed and relocated to create space for a beautiful double-height entrance space with window openings to flood the stairs with light.
A sustainable, low energy home
A key aim for Dave & Lucy was to dramatically reduce their impact on the environment. To help achieve this we focussed on externally insulating the walls, super-insulating the roof and fitting high performance triple-glazed windows from 21 Degrees.
Solar Panels, battery storage and an air-source heat pump have also helped to massively reduce their home’s environmental impact.
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