BROOMFIELD

Broomfield was an already generously proportioned 1920s semi-detached property, with many original decorative features and a substantial garden. However, as with many properties of this age, the kitchen was housed in an existing narrow rear outrigger, the family dining table blocking the route to the garden. The small, awkwardly shaped space was too cramped to socialise in, but also lacked any meaningful connection to the rest of the house or the garden which sat at a lower level. The young family owners keenly felt this separation of living, cooking and eating space. They wanted the ability to do their own thing, be it exercising, playtime, reading or housework but feel part of the whole at the same time. They wanted their space to open-up to embrace the outdoors. creating a sociable free-flowing space and bringing in fresh air and better natural light. At first floor, the house had four large bedrooms and a family bathroom but lacked the prestige of a master suite.

Whilst not in a Conservation Area, the surrounding houses are all of a very similar architecture with red brick and render decoratively detailed principal elevations and stock brick rear elevations with simple red brick detailing and flat roof outriggers, although this particular property had been pebble dashed. Strict planning policies and lack of precedent for wholesale change meant opportunities to extend were very limited.

We decided to embrace these restrictions, opting to widen and lengthen the existing outrigger within Permitted Development rights, adopting the original palette of materials to create a new stock brick flat roof extension with red brick soldier course detailing over a glazed corner and large rooflights to bring in natural light. New internal openings and stepped routes add drama and increased ceiling heights in the transition between existing house and new kitchen and family space, formed at the lower garden level. The corner sliding door unit opens-up so the inside flows into the garden and new outdoor patio dining space alongside it. Not extending full width meant we could also retain the much-loved original leaded light double doors and original tiled platform through to the restored formal dining room. The shared patio space creates an additional outdoor connection between these kitchen and dining zones.

At loft level, we proposed a hip to gable conversion and added a collection of three gable roof dormers, their fresh red clay tile palette designed to pop against the original more weathered finish. The proposed bedroom and ensuite bathroom are designed to become the master suite with dual aspect views and a feeling of privacy from the other bedrooms.