Case study Seven Oaks Crescent, Bramcote

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1 Case study Seven Oaks Crescent, Bramcote Project: Extension & alterations, Seven Oaks Crescent, Bramcote, Notts. Contractor: P C Griffiths & Son (Derby) Engineer: Cameron Darroch Associates Completion: October 2008 Award: LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2009 Best Domestic Extension (Commended) Project Brief After Rear Elevation Our client bought the house for the generous internal space it offered along with the excellent location, south facing garden and excellent views over Bramcote Hills. Whilst the house offered many positives it had one big negative - the rear elevation! The rear extension was a typical 1970 s flat roof monstrosity which was built to satisfy a brief of additional internal accommodation with no thought given to the external appearance, as the before picture illustrates. Our client wanted to extend the awkward shaped rear bedroom by filling in the corner at first floor to create a master bedroom and also turn the existing shower room (which was accessed off the corridor) into an en-suite accessed off the new master bedroom. Before (August 2007) They wanted to replace the flat roofs with pitched tiled roofs and generally enhance the rear elevation to make it more aesthetically pleasing along with modernising the dated interior. The Design As the internal space was going to be modernised we felt it appropriate to treat the rear elevation in the same way. The existing extension had been built in facing brickwork that did not match the existing house and rather than introducing a 3 rd facing brick for the new extension we specified off white render to the whole of the rear extension as it would blend the new and old extensions and create a contemporary appearance. Replacing the flat roofs was an ideal opportunity to create some height within the internal space by specifying warm roof construction with sloping ceilings, this also lead to the design of the large feature apex window at first floor to maximise natural light and take advantage of the excellent views over Bramcote Hills, while a rooflight in the lower roof would bring light into the center of the house which was previously a dark space. With the extension to the first floor it started to look top heavy therefore we decided to break this up with horizontal western red cedar boarding to frame the feature apex window and to add to the contemporary appearance. The new windows were specified in merlin grey powder coated aluminium as this complements the render and cedar cladding and is widely used in more commercial applications but also suits the modern contemporary home. The ground floor patio doors were replaced with folding sliding doors - a great way to modernise any home as it instantly connects the inside and outside spaces. Some other features that were included in the design are as follows: Self Cleaning Glass Through colour silicone based render system (no painting, excellent water repelling characteristics and flexible) Large eaves overhang (to protect cedar boarding) Natural oil finish to cedar boarding (to keep them looking like new) Low pitch grey slate look-a-like tiles to lower roof (to tie in with new grey windows) Feature gluelam ridge beam hung from a steel frame via fin plate connection detail Glass balustrading with brushed steel glass clips (to enhance existing stair and bring light flooding down the stairwell) Page 1 of 5

2 In addition to the above the internal layout was to be altered including glazed double doors between the lounge and the dining room to help bring light into the dark lounge, the existing pantry and side door to the kitchen were to be removed to create a larger kitchen and the existing lintel between the kitchen and extension was to be replaced by double joist trimmers so the ceiling line could run through and bring the two spaces together. Upstairs the existing wall between the separate wc & bathroom was to be removed to make one large family bathroom. Generally the internals were to be refurbished throughout with plaster skim to walls where required, new doors, new 7 ogee skirting boards, new ogee architraves, new central heating system and the existing lighting was to be enhanced with new low voltage modern fittings. The Project P C Griffiths & Son building contractors were selected for their previous experience on domestic extensions and new build houses but in particular for their attention to detail & excellent workmanship. Building work started in March (1)(2) (1) Building work starts (2) Building work starts (3) steel frame with fin connection plate for feature glulam ridge beam (4) ready for feature window One of the main challenges on this project was the detailing around the feature apex window as it was our vision to have the ceiling running through in line with the external soffit to create a seamless detail (5). Structural engineers Cameron Darroch Associates were appointed to design the various structural elements. A steel frame (3) was designed to resist the spread of the roof and also to provide support for the feature timber glulam ridge beam (5), which was to be hung via a fin plate connection detail with stainless steel connection bolts. Lifting the steel frame into position was no easy task and the contractors have to be commended for the way in which this operation was handled. Following the installation of the steel frame the glulam ridge beam could be positioned finishing the main roof structure and then the masonry around the window opening could be completed ready to receive the feature window (4). Following completion of the main roof & feature window the lower roof was constructed and the feature cedar boarding was fixed to a timber frame around the first floor window. The extension was completed with the application of the through colour silicone based render system to complete the transformation. (5) detailing gluelam ridge beam and ceiling lining through with soffit. We are very proud of this project as we believe it is an excellent example that domestic extensions can not only transform the interior of a dwelling but the exterior too. The Client was extremely happy with the end result and they have subsequently transformed the garden on a more architectural theme to match the house. From an architect s point of view this project was a pleasure to work on, with a client happy to trust our ideas and choice of materials and with faultless workmanship and a fantastic end result it was for these reasons that it was nominated for the Best Domestic Extension at the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2009, achieving a highly commended award. Feature window with cedar cladding. Page 2 of 5

3 Additional Photographs Master bedroom feature window Master bedroom recessed directional double wall spots to light the roof slope Ensuite in master bedroom / obscure glazed doors to let light into corridor & ensuite Glass balustrading and brushed steel glass clips to enhance existing staircase new merlin grey powder coated aluminium folding sliding doors Page 3 of 5 new sloping ceiling & rooflight replacing flat roof

4 new sloping ceiling & rooflight replacing flat roof new kitchen extended into existing pantry space Before August 2007 After October 2009 LABC Building Excellence Award Page 4 of 5

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