Single Storey Rear Extension Project

Problem statement:

This end of terrace house had a small sitting room at the front and a small bathroom and a kitchen at the rear of the house. There was no dining room or space for even a small table, making dining awkward.

The boundary between the Client’s house and the middle house in the terrace cuts across the Client’s plot, making it difficult to design a regular shaped and aesthetically pleasing extension at the rear of the house that would accommodate all Client’s requirements for space and light. A compromise was reached by designing a single storey extension on the boundary that has a trapezoidal shape rather than a standard rectangular shape.

Client’s requirements:

• to design a single storey extension within the constraints of the irregular boundaries of the plot. The proposed extension is to provide an open space for integrated kitchen/dining/sitting area overlooking the garden
• to redesign bathroom layout

Key considerations:

In order to obtain approve for the works two issues needed to be addressed

• We had to resolve Party Wall issues with the neighbour
• Since part of the extension was to be built over a public sewer, we had to design foundations that avoided potentially damaging the sewer and obtaining permission from Southern Water to proceed with the works

Outcome:

A spacious and light extension has been created on a difficult plot adding considerable improved amenity to the home-owners.

The rear extension provides much needed space for a dining area and an informal sitting area overlooking the garden. The rooflights and the bi-fold doors let in the light, not only to the extended area of the house, but also to the kitchen, that is now located at the background of this newly created space.

The bathroom has been redesigned and re-fitted. The old bath has been replaced by a spacious wet-room, The WC has been moved to the middle of the bathroom so that it is not visible from the kitchen when the door is open.