33 Bracebridge Road

Major alterations and extensions to an existing detached bungalow involving near complete demolition.

The Challenge

The clients acquired the bungalow with the intention of carrying out its extension and modernisation, the property being sited on a pleasant plot with an attractive mature south-facing garden. The existing property was of simplistic design with three bedrooms, two bathrooms a lounge / dining room, small kitchen, study, utility and a large hardwood conservatory. The existing footprint was already to the full available site width and sited quite close to the front boundary with no scope extending forward.

The brief was to utilise the whole of the ground floor for the garage kitchen and reception rooms and to house four decent sized bedrooms with three bathrooms within new space to be created at first floor level. The conservatory was to be retained and refurbished as it was of sound construction. The simple rendered appearance with neo Georgian windows and a concrete tiled low pitched roof was to be replaced with that of an early 1900’s Arts & Crafts cottage with traditional hand made materials and detailing.

To top it off the clients had taken the whole project on as a self managed self-build project!

The Solution

A scheme was produced to re work the ground floor accommodation to provide a new breakfast kitchen area opening up to the conservatory via sliding folding doors, the existing living room was retained but with new minster style open fireplace and chimney also providing an open fire for a log burner within the kitchen. The three bedrooms were knocked out and the space utilised for a dining room, cloakroom, drawing room and larger open hall to house a new helical oak staircase to access the first floor accommodation.

The existing low pitched trussed roof was removed and replaced with a traditional cut timber roof to a higher pitch with a new gable to the front and rear facing dormer windows to create further bedroom space. Four characterful bedrooms were sited within the new roof along with 3 bathrooms and an impressive galleried landing.

Externally the Arts & Crafts look was achieved with a mix on hand made clay roof tiles, tile hung gables, a painted rough cast rendered wall covering with contrasting red sandstone detailing, oak doors and window sub frames with steel casement windows.

The front elevation features a two-storey oak framed bay window supporting an over-sailing gable roof, and to the opposing rear gable there is a wide cantilevered bay on gallows brackets.

As can be seen from the photos, during the early stages of the build once the roof had been removed and the internal walls which were no longer required, the conservatory was one of the few elements of the structure left standing. A ‘what have I done’ moment for the client! As the property was re assembled worries were allayed and with careful selection of materials and attention to detail the new home came together wonderfully.