The existing property was a derelict late 19th Century, Georgian style house which had been converted to a nursing home in the 1990’s. The previous conversion included a 350sqm poorly constructed extension which consumed the site. The project brief was to restore the building to its former dwelling use

The extension had to repair the connections to the garden while respecting the original structure in scale and material.  The original features like cornicing and joinery were protected, maintained and highlighted where possible. The single storey extension has high angled ceilings which spring from a pinch point at the junction to the existing house and open out towards the garden, with angled glazing that addresses two courtyards formed between the new and old building. New joinery elements complement the existing house with bespoke contemporary joinery in the kitchen. The new extension has a refined material palette of white render and timber fins and a Sedum roof which is visible from the half landing’s arched window.

The design response was a fabric first approach which meant retaining and improving the maximum amount of the existing fabric of the 19th Century and required the removal of the poorly constructed 1980s structures. To mitigate against the need for some demolition the foundations and rising wall where left intact where possible and used as the structure of the garden wall etc.

The works included complete deep retrofit of the existing fabric including new insulated floors, insulating the walls with breathable insulation, insulating existing roofs and the retention and upgrading of existing windows.  The new elements included a new Sedum roof which acts as a natural insulation layer, reducing heat loss during winter and keeping buildings cooler in the summer. The Sedum improves Biodiversity Support providing habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife while improving air quality and absorbing rain fall.  A new air to water heat pump was installed to provided heating for the house.

The final BER Rating was A3.