Stepped Timber Side Return Extension in Bearwood, Birmingham
Check out our Stepped Timber Extension to a Victorian Terraced House in Bearwood, Birmingham, West Midlands.
5 Star Client Review
“… We couldn’t be happier with the kitchen extension designed by Kevin. From our very first meeting, he completely got the sort of thing we were looking for — his understanding of our vision was spot on. He brought creative ideas to the table while making sure everything was practical and suited to our lifestyle. ….”
Project Overview
- Victorian Terraced House in Bearwood, Sandwell.
- Kitchen Living Dining Space with Utility and Cloakroom.
- Stepped Blackened Timber & Reclaimed Brickwork Extension
- 5* review from our clients
The Project
We were approached by our client for this project after a disappointing experience using a design and build approach. This is where the contractor does the architectural design as well as the construction work. Our client is a creative person and had been frustrated with the lack of engagement with the design process. There was little opportunity for discussion. There was no sharing of ideas. And there was no iteration of the design to really dive in to the details.
The house was a generous Victorian terraced property in Bearwood, Sandwell. After living in the property for a number of years our client was keen to get started on transforming their home. They were looking to create a generous kitchen, dining, living space. This space was to open up to the beautiful garden, and bring the outside in to the new space. A sunny, bright space to enjoy a coffee on a sunny morning.
As qualified architects our approach is to work collaboratively with our clients to explore the opportunities their projects offer. For us, space is primary. We are looking to show our clients the different, creative ways that we can fulfil their brief. We explore various scales of extension, different layouts, and internal arrangements. This helps to really understand how our clients can live in their new spaces. And how those spaces can create new ways of living in their homes.
This was exactly what our clients were looking for. They wanted to be engaged, inspired and involved in the design process. It should be fun after all!
The Side Return Extension
The existing kitchen was relatively small but serviceable. It was cut-off from the garden by the original outhouses at the rear of the property. There was a small window but the orientation of the whole space was towards the fence. We wanted to open the space up the views at the rear. The house had a South West orientation so received lots of generous, filtered sunlight. The existing wing was narrow and there was space to push out to the side. There were few constraints at the back so we could explore how big the extension needed to be to feel right, not just big for the sake of it. We explored all the various options before we settled on the best approach.
We developed the design for a U-shaped kitchen to the return side of the space with a run of full height units and larder following the side of the existing house. The kitchen then opens out to the dining space towards the rear of the extension.
We added considered glazing to the kitchen area. A slot window hovering above the counter top to bring extra daylight in to the kitchen, along with a window in the return facing back to the main house.
The Design of the Extension
We created a two volume space to work alongside the volumes of the existing house. A taller brick built volume pushes out slightly further to the rear with Crittall style double doors and side-light. For the side return we differentiated the heights of the volumes. The side return was slightly lower and timber clad. A contemporary up and over fixed window and roof-light adds dramatic daylighting to the space. This adds glimpses of the sky, the trees and dramatic shadows as the sun tracks around the sky.
In the un-widened section of the existing wing we added a utility space and cloakroom, extending the existing route through the house to keep these ancillary spaces out of the way.
The main contractor has done a really nice job of the external construction with great detailing and crisp junctions between the two elements of the build.
Internally the owners have made some beautiful choices of finish along with an exquisite kitchen installation. Pluck Kitchens designed and installed the beautiful kitchen . It has fantastic attention to detail along with beautiful materials and craftsmanship, and of course the wonderful built-in Butler’s Pantry.
We really enjoyed working on this project and it has come out beautifully. Our client is very happy with their space, it has changed the way they live their lives, offering new ways to inhabit the house, to live and relax in it, and to enjoy the garden.
“5*… Kevin was professional, approachable, and a real pleasure to work with from start to finish. Highly recommended!”
Our Service
On this project we provided our full domestic service. From our initial complete building survey, through the development of options, design of the black timber courtyard extension itself, submission and management of the Planning Application to complete the Design Stage. We then proceeded with the Technical Design Stage providing large scale detailed technical construction drawings – plans, sections, elevations along side electrical, lighting and services drawings, and a full Building Specification. We co-ordinated the structural design and submitted the Building Regulations application for Full Plans Approval. The quality and detail of our technical drawings package was complimented by the building contractor.
Other Kitchen Extensions to Terraced Homes
You can find more details of our other kitchen extension projects on the following link. We have considerable experience working on traditional properties and really enjoy exploring the best approach for our clients.
Get In Touch
Give Matt or Kevin a call on 0121 270 7227 if you have a project you would love to get started.
You can also find more details of the project and reviews of our residential architectural service at Houzz.