A new textured brick wall to the left forms a bookend to the extension, complementing the existing facing brick. A two storey double glazed curtain walling system with large sliding doors, incorporating solar control glass, provides good levels of natural daylight into the deeper areas of the home. The vertical metal fins act like a veil to the rear elevation, providing privacy from outside and reducing overheating by minimising the direct sunlight falling onto the glazing. Zinc metal cladding has been used to complete the edge of the roof above.

View from the existing entrance hall with new glass balcony and square oak handrail. Here an existing wall, room and floor were removed so that the garden could be seen from the hall. A hidden fire curtain provides 1 hour fire protection between the lower ground floor and the upper floors of the property.

Left: the external metal fins create soft shadows that move across the room throughout the day. Right: we sourced the interior light fittings to provide a synergy with the architectural design.

View from the new sitting area with the new staircase to the right.

Left: open plan living area with views and access to garden. Right: view for the new kitchen.

We designed and detailed the new staircase with a specialist metal fabricator and a local joiner who fitted European oak treads and a square oak handrail with soft rounded edges for comfort.

Left: View of new curved balcony to Study above. Right: Looking down from new Study.

View of new main room from sliding doors to patio.

The glazing was designed to be double-storey in height so that views from the ground floor entrance hall down to the garden would be possible. To provide privacy, a ‘veil’, and solar shading in the summer months, vertical metal fins have been incorporated to the top half of the curtain walling.

Another view of the main facade from the new patio Solar control glazing has also been incorporated with automated rooflights that allow heat to escape on very hot days, with cross ventilation being achieved from the lower ground up to the ground floor above.

A few close up details

A 3D computer model was developed so that the proposed changes could be reviewed and understood. Left: rear view of existing house. Right: the conservatory is demolished and the part of the existing masonry rear wall removed.

The red rectangle indicates removal of an existing internal wall to the ground floor hallway. The floor of the existing ground floor lounge (playroom) is then taken out and a new feature staircase installed leading down towards the garden from the entrance hall. The new kitchen area can be seen below with a glazed balcony above allowing views into the new double height extension from a new study.

A new two-storey textured brick side wall is constructed and a flat roof is introduced with two skylights. A pitched roof would compete with the existing house and also result in a lower eaves and restricted views out from the ground floor above. A log burner has been provided and the dining area is defined. Further back a new high level side window provides natural daylight into the deeper area of the floor plan.

Design development for the part curved two storey double glazed curtain wall incorporating large sliding doors providing access into the garden. To create a sense of proportion and intimacy a secondary ‘skin’ of vertical timber sections was considered fixed over the glazing at high level. This ‘veil’ allows views out but also provides solar shading to oblique sun rays during the day. During the technical design stage, for maintenance reasons, we decided to use metal fins rather than timber.

Left: photo of existing rear view from garden showing the conservatory to be demolished. Right: existing view from ground floor kitchen down to the rear garden with no direct access.

3D computer model view of proposed view from upper level study looking down to new living environment at garden level. Vertical timber solar screen visible above with views between timber sections.

Proposed view of new space looking out from the kitchen area.

Left: existing ground floor plan. Right: proposed ground floor plan.

Left: existing lower ground floor plan Right: proposed lower ground floor plan

Left: proposed side view of the extension. Right: proposed long section.