St Albans House
Client: Private
Location: St Albans
Cost: £350,000
Status: Complete
Category: Homes, Interiors
Photographs: Peter Landers
A two-storey extension to a classic Metroland style 1930s detached house updated a beloved family home for a couple with young children. The original house featured a half-timbered projecting bay and had been extended at the rear with an ageing conservatory. A small single storey garage to the side of the house was also in drastic need of demolition.
The removal of the garage allowed us to extend the house towards the side boundary over two floors. A smaller square bay to the new volume tied it into the existing elevation with simplified half-timber detailing. Internally the new space allowed for the addition of a music room and utility space at ground floor level. An additional nursery and guest bedroom with ensuite were created at first floor level. The draughty conservatory was replaced at the rear of the ground floor with a full-width, single-storey extension. This created the opportunity to unify the kitchen, dining and informal sitting areas into a single volume. This new space is defined by structural columns which are reflected in a projecting window seat; set into the rear elevation. Externally the window seat is expressed as a projecting frame focussing views into the garden. The subtle grey shaker-style deVol kitchen with white marble worktops created additional bar seating. Three large roof lights and slim-framed sliding doors flood the whole space with daylight.
Further alterations at first floor freed up space for an additional en-suite. The increased and unified roof space created space for a master bedroom suite with a shower room and walk-in wardrobe set into the eaves. Outside In Construction also replaced all existing windows with high-performance timber windows to enhance the overall energy efficiency of the house.