- Staple Hill EXTENSION, RENOVATION AND LOFT CONVERSION -

This 1890s house had remained largely untouched for several decades. Purchased at auction, it suffered from damp caused by failing building fabric, inappropriate historic alterations and inadequate ventilation. Despite these challenges, the property presented an exciting blank canvas and an opportunity to rethink how the house could work harder to provide the spaces for modern life.

Following the exploration of several design options and in close collaboration with the clients, we developed a scheme centred around a sociable kitchen-diner and a carefully planned loft conversion. Together, the proposals would transform the two-bedroom house into a three-double-bedroom home, adding significant value to the property.

At ground-floor level, a modest side-infill extension and the reconfiguration of the existing kitchen and dining rooms were all that was needed to create a generous kitchen-diner, complete with a large picture window and adjoining seating area. Careful reworking of the staircase also allowed a new WC to be introduced without compromising the surrounding accommodation.

The loft conversion was developed in detail to maximise headroom and usable floor area. A new roof and contemporary rear dormer create a generous double bedroom with an en-suite, while carefully positioned glazing brings in natural light, frames the views and makes the space feel open and spacious.

The underlying damp issues were addressed as part of the wider renovation strategy. Breathable insulation systems, appropriate for the property’s traditional stone construction, were specified alongside improved ventilation and new glazing to create a warmer, healthier and more comfortable home.