Adam Knibb Architects were approached to put together a contemporary extension for a terraced family home in Winchester. Upon the first site visit, the property showed signs of tiredness and age, the couple had outgrown their property with the addition of small children - it became clear fairly quickly that the house would benefit substantially from a spatial reconfiguration and extension. Being a young household, creating a friendly, open and welcoming environment which nurtured the growth of the family was integral for allowing them to enjoy a comfortable and social lifestyle .
The project, located within the Winchester City Conservation area, comprises of a full width ground floor extension, extending 1500mm out from the existing rear extension footprint. Our initial approach set out to utilise the ground floor extension to create a large open plan living area with a contemporary wood-burner, playroom and kitchen area. Internally the reconfiguration will allow space to create a new utility room with direct access from the living / dining area and a new WC towards the front of the house. Glass sliding doors were used meaningfully to open up the space and blur the indoors and outdoors, two large skylights also sit above the kitchen and dining areas to allow a soft natural light to illuminate the open planned space.
At first floor level, the simplistic timber cuboid extension showcases a contemporary architecture that sits peacefully amongst the neighbouring terraced houses. The utilisation of a flat roof allows the cuboid to sit lower than the neighbouring rear extensions - minimising the visual impact for the surrounding neighbours. The impact of this element is reduced considerably with a timber cladded facade, creating a natural and timeless exterior. This contemporary timber cuboid allows for the creation of an additional bedroom and reconfiguration of the bathroom, easing spatial links and convenience.
To the second floor there was not any external modifications; however, a new staircase will be installed to allow access to the loft area creating the 6th bedroom of the house. Timber cladding is left to silver naturally creating a less austere façade than its white rendered neighbour. The natural product is also beneficial in low maintenance compared to the continual upkeep of the neighbouring property. The vertical rhythm of the cladding also helps our design dialogue, linking back to the surroundings, with this vertical element mimicking the vertical nature of the on-site and nearby trees.
A sedum roof is used to provide a continuation of the garden from first floor window outlooks whilst contributing to the insulating properties of the property. In terms of innovation, for Adam Knibb Architects using a white resin floor for a kitchen/dining and lounge space was a new experience. Once it sat in partnership with the white walls and ceiling, we believe it imbued the project with a clarity which diverts attention towards the architectural features such as the skylights, bricked frame archway into the hallway and the transition towards the garden with the glass sliding doors.
Material Used :
1. Western Red Cedar timber cladding
2. Weber white render cladding
3. Resin internal floor covering
