Cleveland Cottage

The original two-up-two-down 1930s cottage was in need of renovation and was too small for the client’s family. While benefiting from a generous plot, the existing cottage had a poor relationship to the garden, with the cottage angled to face away from the main house, and therefore with no connection to its own garden.

The project involved the removal of a conservatory and lobby and extending the house with a wrap-around L shaped extension to the side and rear, turning the outlook of the house towards the garden. The additions allowed for the creation of a broken plan kitchen/dining/ living space as well as two further bedrooms, one with ensuite, and a new staircase in addition to the existing two bedrooms and bathroom.

The extension allowed the main living spaces and master bedroom to address the garden, while the relocation of the stair freed up the existing footprint of the original house to be put to better use.

Along with the limited budget for the completion of the works, the design took into account the requirement for the family to remain living in the property throughout, with only three points of connection between the old and new, and only one of those a new opening. The design allowed for the family to live first in the old part while the extension was constructed, then in the new extension while the cottage was refurbished, and finally in the house as a whole.

The thermal upgrade of the existing structure included internal insulated plasterboard lining and loft insulation, along with new windows. A new Air Source Heat Pump heating system in place of the oil fired boiler completed the house.

Annual CO2 emissions data (requested in kg/m2/year) was provided as follows: Before: 5.73t/yr, After: 3.92t/yr