Asymmetrical Courtyard House

They wanted to extend, remodel and refurbish their property to enable them to maximise its potential and allow them to enjoy the garden space which was currently accessed via an old lean-to extension containing the bathroom, beyond the kitchen in the existing rear addition. They wanted something simple but non-standard and budget friendly and wanted a timber frame so much of the work could be self-built. A range of proposals were considered and the final scheme which has now been successfully implemented used a skewed plan form to maximise both space and light while integrating the new elements into a newly landscaped garden. The irregular plan was accentuated with a non-symmetrical roof pitch to provide further dynamism and interest to the overall form and elevations. A new garden studio building was created, using the same architectural language, providing a compact, multi-purpose art studio and guest bedroom with ensuite, further framing the retained garden area, positioned to ensure sunlight was maximised in the garden. The plan form of the main extension also created a ‘secret’ garden along the side of the house, accessed from the new dining area and rear bedroom. The interior of the property was remodelled to ensure the optimum internal layout, moving the kitchen, bathroom and living spaces around, with bespoke joinery installed throughout to maximise integrated storage. A restrained palette of simple, robust materials was used, featuring black stained battens to the exterior, with polished concrete flooring, continued externally, plaster to walls and birch faced ply for the kitchen and built in furniture, providing an elegant contemporary space both inside and out.