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The
clients are a busy professional/ academic couple with a young
family. They had purchased a new 3 storey house 5 years
previously. This was built as infill to a 19th
century terrace – following a typical Victorian plan. The
decision was whether to move, or extend the house to cope with
the needs of a growing family.
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The
two main problems were (a) the sensitivity of the
neighbours – so a hipped roof was incorporated keeping eaves
as low as possible. (b) The foundations were to be built in
infill spoil used to hold back the flood waters of the Thames
from the nearby Iffley Fields - a cantilevered slab was used |
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Following
a feasibility study, the clients eventually decided to stay and
extend into their garden - with a large kitchen/dining room.
They also wanted to get as much light in as possible. It was
decided to leave a small courtyard, which could be used as an
adult ‘smokers corner’ as well as act as a light well to the
new and existing rooms.
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The
house has been transformed by the addition of the light and airy
dining room, with its handsome exposed timber structure and
doors crafted from sustainable hardwood, to a pattern used by
several neighbours. The dark and awkward entrance and sitting
room have been lightened through the use of halogen lights and a
maple floor. The kitchen sparkles with black granite and blue
quartz. This is no longer a builder's standard speculative
house!
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Click
small pictures above for larger views