Poplar Road

Set in the Surrey Green Belt, planning permission was gained for a complete house remodel with a very contemporary front and rear extension.

Taking influences from the surrounding architecture, vegetation and area, the design looks to create an extended base with vertical timber cladding and an offset white rendered first floor front extension. The modern form leads a route from the new entrance around the house and terminates with a sedum roof at the rear. An open plan internal form with large amounts of natural light was key for the clients.

Large sections of glass / sliding doors are utilised to maximise views and access to the garden. The glass has been turned around the corner of the extension to widen the garden views and light - blurring the boundary between internal and external spaces. Due to the orientation of the house, a side window has also been introduced to ensure natural light is harnessed throughout the day. Three skylights in the roof are added to drop natural light back into the main plan. The contemporary extension has been designed to have a slight over hang in order to create a sun shade during the summer (to avoid over heating) but allow maximum light in the winter.

The layout of the existing kitchen has been reconfigured to allow for the creation of a more social area with the incorporation of a breakfast bar and seating area. The existing fireplace has been updated to a contemporary woodburner with a log store providing a ‘warm’ addition to the open plan living space. A new modern porch has also been added to upgrade the aesthetics of the road and give space for coats/ shoes.

At first floor level a glazed apex sits under the rendered wrap. Timber louvres have been designed to act as external blinds – these elements can be opened in a combination of ways for control of privacy and light. Making use of the space over the top of the garage allows for the addition of a new bedroom. To ensure this level doesn’t become a ‘rabbit warren’ of corridors, the existing wall to the back of the staircase is cut down and replaced with a glass handrail. This opens the whole centre of the house giving visual links across the landing and increasing the feel of space.