Glass Extension to a Locally Listed Building

Lees Architects were approached by the client following an unsuccessful attempt to obtain planning with a previous Architect. The client brief was to replace and extend an existing extension, which was poorly designed in a bad attempt to reflect the existing house. The original property was built as part of 3 houses around an orchard by and for the architect William Weymouth. The original part of the house retains many original features both externally and internally, displaying detailed brickwork fire places, timber gables and brick piers. The client did not want to touch the original asset or remove any of the key features, but wanted a contemporary extension that would impact minimally on the property.

The design is for a fully glazed façade with a rooflight that returns over the top of the glazing, creating a seamless finish to the glass when viewed internally and flooding the space with light. Window openings were carefully considered to align to pathways in the landscape and walkways to the existing veranda, with the floor finish highlighting the transition from new to old. Internally, views through from the kitchen and to the dining area are key to leading people through the house. Materials used are sympathetic to the existing, but used in different ways, the brick slip wall is similar in colour to the existing but uses a modern bond and a thin red column in the corner contrasts the thick brick column on the edge of the veranda.

High quality glass was specified to alleviate overheating issues and a sedum green roof installed for a softer finish. The garden is to be partially a wild flower space to encourage bees and other wildlife to nest.