Permission Granted September 2024
ARCHIBUILD were commissioned to design and build a two-storey extension, along with a full renovation of the existing property.
The design focused on maximising the idyllic views across the garden toward the property’s private boat mooring, located on the watercourse at Fareham Lake.
The property was formerly part of a bathing house serving the local recreational ground and lake for swimmers before being converted into residential cottages at the start of the 20th Century.
The terraced property originally featured an existing two storey extension that only encompassed half the width of the plot and was of poor construction with no architectural value. A cloakroom wc at ground floor and bathroom at first floor were stacked one above another to the rear of the two-storey volume, blocking any opportunity for in board living spaces, to capture the idyllic views out over the watercourse to the South.
To fully capture the site’s impressive views, the entire layout of the property had to be re-evaluated. The first bold move was to remove the poorly constructed, narrow two-storey extension and replace it with a full-width two-storey addition, immediately unlocking the plot’s potential.
By relocating the secondary spaces — bathrooms, en-suites and WCs to the central areas of the terrace where natural light and outward views were limited, we were able to position the kitchen and new master bedroom in the most desirable parts of the plan. This strategic re-planning maximised both the functionality and the value of the property.
Maximising views with large areas of glazing can raise challenges in maintaining a comfortable level of privacy for homeowners. This was especially relevant here due to the property’s unique right of way, which gives owners in the adjoining terraces access via a footpath running between the rear of each property and its garden.
To address this, the ground-floor design features a stepped-back building line and a wrapping portico that acts as visual blinkers. These blinkers direct views toward the lake while restricting passersby from looking directly into the home. By the time someone is opposite the facade, attempting to look inside is unnatural when walking, effectively reducing intrusions from curious neighbours. The stepped-back facade also creates a defensible space, further enhanced by the level change between interior and exterior. A bespoke planter within this zone allows for low-level planting, providing both a pleasing view out and organic screening from outside in.
Privacy louvres were initially proposed at the concept stage to enhance ground-floor privacy. However, the success of the blinkers and stepped-back design rendered them unnecessary, so they were omitted during construction.
At first floor a glass gable to the new master bedroom gives exceptional views to the Lake. In order to control privacy, a dwarf wall was proposed that enabled full height slot windows to either side. The dwarf wall proportions were set to allow excellent visibility out but restricted views of anyone in the bedroom from the outside in.
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The BOAT House required a rigorous technical pack to ensure that the exciting intent at Concept and Planning could be delivered in the Construction stages. The two-story extension featured a vaulted ceiling at first floor and leant heavily on maintaining visual proportions from an elevational perspective.
