Modifications and Extensions to Existing House to Create a Contemporary Dwelling
Colchester Borough Council has approved planning permission for the modification and extension to an existing dwelling to create an exciting new contemporary home.
Image by Blue Cube
Design Constraints
This site had a number of constraints including a restrictive covenant affecting heights, a steep gradient, relationship to the seafront and poor internal environment. The design provided a well-considered response to these constraints and used them to the advantage of the scheme.
The covenant ensured that the views to the sea from the neighbouring properties were maintained. This meant that the building could not be increased in height beyond the set height limits in the covenant. The proposal ensured that these heights will not be exceeded.
Embracing the Commanding Views
The site currently commands a position adjacent to the seafront, however, the existing building has turned its back to the coastline. The existing layout is poorly laid out with several rooms on the ground floor being accessed from other rooms. The resulting outcome is a series of rooms that fail to take advantage of the beachfront location or views across the sea, and fails to provide an efficient space that meets the needs of a modern family home.
Placing Family-Life at the Heart of the Design
The proposed scheme has placed family life at the centre of the design. The proposed extension and modification will create a reconfigured internal layout with a central functional entrance hall that links to all rooms. The extension will create a large flexible open-plan family room that will accommodate the kitchen, sitting area and dining area. The existing part of the house has been rearranged to provide smaller additional rooms including a playroom and study.
Design and Appearance
With regard to the appearance, the surrounding area is one of mixed character. The existing dwelling itself has no particular architectural merit and currently comprises of painted brickwork, white UPVC cladding and brown UPVC windows. We designed a contemporary family home that is able to respond to its setting both to the front along the streetscene and the rear where it will be experienced within a seafront context.
The front elevation would be modified through dark cladding. This will ensure that the building retains its scale as viewed from the street scene, and the introduction of dark cladding gives it a contemporary appearance that allows the building to blend into the wider landscape.
The addition of floor to ceiling windows to the rear of the property allow for a modern design element that aids in sitting the dwelling sympathetically into its setting with the benefit of maximising light into the internal spaces. The varied roof heights between levels creates visual interest and articulation. The use of dark cladding, metal window frames and glazing would give the elevation a lightweight appearance from the beachfront views, creating a silhouette that can absorb into the wider setting.
This was an exciting project to work on and we are looking forward to see the planning permission being implemented.
Contact Us
If you are seeking to extend or modify your home, please contact one of our planning consultants or architectural designers for further advice at mail@adpltd.co.uk or use the form below: