During my attendance at the ‘Grand Designs Live Shows’ over the years, I have worked with many people that come to visit me at these shows, whereby I have offered my knowledge and services through the RIBA Ask the Expert stand, to assist those in need or advice or guidance on how to pursue with their projects through a short 15 minute free consultation. Below is a project I was asked by a visitor to one of the Show’s to design a new large side and rear ground floor extension with internal alterations, which was based on a quick sketch and some photographs of their property that they had brought along to the Show. “A Picture Paints A Thousand Words” as they say. Many people see the idea of adding an extension as a new exciting venture, however, are soon daunted on how to go about turning these thoughts into reality. This is also probably the second most expensive investment that some people will encounter during their lives, so it is vitally important that this is undertaken professionally and in the right manner first time. Having worked in the construction industry for over 30 years and as an Architect for near 20 years, I have through experience become to understand Clients’ and their requirements especially when working on their homes and how people live and would like to use their personal spaces.

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All projects start from a brief, which can as simple as a one line statement, ‘I want to extend my home to create a larger kitchen diner’ for example – which can then be developed to produce a sketch through a feasibility design to understand if the idea in practice is achievable?

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During this process I need to take into consideration, many other aspects that are not always evident, which informs the design through site context and constraints, whilst not losing sight of the brief and how to best achieve and deliver a design that not only provides the basic requirements as briefed, but a longer lasting impression through good design.  Design is of course always subjective to criticism, however, good quality design based upon an informed considered approach will always attract immediate attention and prevail within the first five-seconds.

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Of course, spatial design is a practical art and needs to be understood in terms of composition, mass, scale, identity and the ability to understand the performance of building materials and their compatibility to deliver the required result. Each project is unique to each environment and to every individual.

Back in 2015, following the granting of the planning approval and obtaining the party wall awards, the final detailed designs were produced and tendered whereby, https://www.hyssopproject.co.uk/ were appointed by the Client to commence work. During this time the new Construction Design Management Regulations came into force, which places the Client with obligations in terms of Health & Safety and if not managed and addressed respectfully by the appointment of a Principle Designer and a Principle Contractor, could lead to a breach of a Client’s duties. More can be found online about the CDM Regulations and Client’s duties. https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/domestic-clients.htm Having secured all the necessary required consents, approvals, awards and licences was the project able to commence on site with the excavation of the ground and clearing of the site. This was soon completed to reveal the proposed foundations and the outline of the new structure. This is usually a curious moment for the Client to see the footprint once on paper now poured and within the ground – ‘Something concrete’ as the say. With the footings in place and the formation levels set out, rapidly the ground floor structure is cast and set in place, running in parallel with the introduction of new drainage utility service connections such as gas, electric and water.

During these early stages of construction, not only are these works overseen by me, but also by the building inspector, who will come out and inspect the build on a stage basis, the first inspection was to review the excavated ground prior to the pouring of the concrete allowing the build to continue. 

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With the new walls in place and a sole plate to receive the new roof can the framing out of the roof structure take place. This relies on angles and geometry to ensure that the roof aligns with the cranked steelwork that is tied into the existing structure. It is important that the steel frame is also allowed to deflect to receive the existing and new loadings.

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With the roof structure complete, it is usual for a ‘topping out ceremony’ to take place and is celebrated with a ‘sprig of yew’ to ward off any evil spirits and can only be done once the final piece of structure is finished, prior to making the building watertight with the fitment of doors and windows and tiling the roof.

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Due to the nature of this new extension, it was possible for the Contractor to work in isolation and away from the usual daily life for the Client and their family, as a temporary new kitchen was created within the existing ground floor of the property, meaning the old kitchen could be removed to allow for the new works. This is common practice depending on the scale of the works and involved and the project. However, in some cases due to the size and complexity of a project, Client’s often decide to move out and into rented accommodation, whilst the works are being undertaken to also avoid the dust and sight of debris and constant deliveries that will ad-dawn the property.

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This is a very important consideration to take into account when planning to build your new extension and will this also set and dictate your budget, which will need to be between a period of 6 months to 12 months when considering a lease local within your area.

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With the extension watertight and being fitted out with its new kitchen, utility room and ground floor new toilet, the external landscaping works also took place, which prudently prior to the plant equipment leaving the site – the ground was excavated and prepared ready for the new hard and soft landscaping areas within and around the property. These areas are not only attractive spaces to look out onto, but also interact with any new addition, such as a ground floor extension creating a functional outdoor space, seen as a further ‘heart-of-house’ extension of the property – creating places of leisure and relaxation.

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Again, this all needs to be taken into account when designing these spaces, which may also include specific lighting, planting and seating requirements to host those visiting friends and families, that will all want to come round and see what you have added to your home.

True to form, this then also raises the question, what to do with the other rooms, as they may now appear to look tired and dated by comparison, often leading to a renovation of these areas, with new flooring and lighting to complement the new. 

All these subjects will inform your project and shall require careful consideration and what of the spaces, as a result of the new build will these potential redundant spaces become? Often enough additional spaces are seen the immediate answer to solve a spatial requirement and choose to extend. However, this is an expensive solution, if this is not understood from the start through a master plan, what a previous dining room for example was, will be now become and used for - at worst a forgotten transient space to enter a new extension?  It is therefore important to review the exciting spaces to see if these spaces can work with a slight adjustment or a reconfiguration, with maybe a smaller extension reducing your project costs. Sometimes and more times than not, it is not always necessary to extend as first envisaged, for to build can be a costly business and to also maintain. With this project the existing kitchen was converted into a new utility room, a pantry and a new plant boiler room with additional storage space – something despite the size of any home we shall always need.

This project was constructed within 8 months, inclusive of the bespoke kitchen and external spaces and was based on a base-build cost of £1,600 sqm excluding the bi-folding doors, skylights and floor finishes, that were all specified items.