Flexible space in a compact extension
3 Cubes
3 volumes are combined and intersected to create a vibrant family space connected to the garden and full of flexibility.
This project shows how planing restrictions can lead to a more interesting range of spaces: Instead of extending the existing building across the full width a more careful approach was taken. Volumes of different heights were combined to create a mix of spatial experiences all while offsets from both boundaries and a stepped down roof limited the impact of the extension onto the neighbouring properties.
The brief asked for a music room, a study, a gym, a garden lounge, dining room and a kitchen, all of which to be placed at the back of the house while creating an uncluttered quiet space. We loved this challenge and the result is probably one of the hardest working spaces we have designed to date. The solution needed to be extremely flexible, akin to Japanese houses where many different uses happen in the same room at different times (the extreme being the tatami mat being rolled out in the middle at night).
The large storage wall along the side of the space fulfils many of the ancillary uses: A rowing machine is housed upright in the first cupboard. Printing and storage in cupboard two. In the middle, symmetrically arranged in the room is a nook for the piano. It is painted dark inside to blend in with the piano. The last two cupboards house a work station for homework and life admin.
The kitchen is arranged around a long roof light, aligned with the garden path. Care was taken to align all material changes and corners with each other to create an effect of assembled volumes and contrasts: The dark cupboards run into the skylight, the island aligns with the room divider along the garden room. These numerous alignments required very methodical setting-out on site, given that the primary structure had to be set at exactly the right place in order for the finished corners to meet.
The result is a calm space where everything has its place and makes sense.
As the garden is facing north-east the outdoor seating area was places at the back of the garden (fully fitted with wifi for outdoors working from home!).
An oversized door links the back of the house is yo the original staircase and hall where further storage is provided under the stair.
The double lounge at the front was split up to create a utility/ boot room in the middle of the house and a separate cinema lounge at the front.
