Granted April 2023
actual project cost confidential for client disclosure
Our clients discovered ARCHIBUILD through a recommendation from a previous client and family friend—a testament to our reputation for excellence.
The brief was clear: create a large, multifunctional family space incorporating a kitchen, dining, and seating area, perfect for hosting their growing family. Beyond space and functionality, the clients wanted to enhance the flow between home and garden, ensuring a seamless visual and physical connection.
Like many Edwardian properties, the home featured traditional brick facades and small timber sash windows, limiting natural light and indoor-outdoor living. Additionally, the sloping plot created accessibility issues, with steep steps leading directly from the house to the garden, emphasizing the disconnect.
Through in-depth consultations, we explored multiple options, including reconfiguring internal layouts to create a more open-plan space. However, the ideal solution emerged—a contemporary, single-storey glass extension. This design creates a bold yet harmonious contrast to the historic home, maximizing natural light while enhancing indoor-outdoor living through architectural glazing solutions.
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At the rear, frameless floor-to-ceiling structural glass doors wrap around three elevations, eliminating visual barriers and creating a breathtaking transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Meticulous detailing and expert craftsmanship were essential to achieving the frameless aesthetic. The striking glass-to-glass corners remove the need for visible supports, creating an extraordinary floating roof effect. This architectural feat plays with visual tension, leaving observers wondering how the structure is supported by the delicate transparency of glass alone.
A central chimney stops just short of the ceiling, subtly defining separate zones within the open-plan space while maintaining a seamless flow. The integration of a through-tunnel fireplace, dual TVs, built-in audio, and smart features adds both functionality and sophistication.
This highly technical project required meticulous planning before breaking ground. From structural steel columns and gas regulators to flues, air vents, and intricate site coordination, every element had to be flawlessly executed. The result is a space that feels effortless yet is underpinned by exceptional craftsmanship and innovation.
To balance structured hardscaping with natural elements, two large raised brick planters and a recessed planter were incorporated. These elements soften the space with lush greenery, bridging the gap between the formal built environment and the organic beauty of the garden beyond.
In many projects, handing off designs from an architect to a contractor can lead to miscommunication, overlooked details, and costly mistakes. By keeping ARCHIBUILD as the single point of contact from concept to completion, we maintained clear communication, preserved project history, and mitigated risks-ensuring a flawless final result.
As part of the broader project, ARCHIBUILD was commissioned to design and construct the external landscaping alongside the extension. This holistic approach ensured a seamless connection between the home and garden, creating a cohesive living environment.
Historically, the home’s internal floor level sat significantly higher than the surrounding garden, creating a disconnect. To resolve this, a raised plinth was introduced, harmonizing the level change and enabling an effortless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
