Side & Rear Extension
The SOLID team are excited to share our next case study of the year – an ambitious side and rear extension to a beautiful Cotswold home which has recently completed on site. Designed by Ashleigh Clarke Architects the extension meets the client’s request for a more spacious living area which incorporates the stunning views of the garden and the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty beyond.
Image Credit: Adam Carter
Architectural Design
The design proves to be an ideal mix of traditional materials, in-keeping with the streetscape, and contemporary additions which deliver the requirements for modern family living. The use of Cotswold stone blends the extension seamlessly with the existing building whilst the frameless glazed panels open the space up, flooding the property with natural light.
Image Credit; Adam Carter
Structural Engineering to Cotswold Home
SOLID were appointed as Structural and Civil Engineers on the project. There were multiple challenges presented to our team throughout the design process. Our clients had requested the living room was reconfigured and a large fireplace installed to create a focal point. In order to achieve the required space, the base of the existing chimney had to be removed. We needed to determine the best solution to support the remaining section of chimney whilst allowing it to stay functional. We also wanted to avoid disturbing the above bedroom as much as possible.
Working closely with Ashleigh Clarke Architects and contractor Steve Dobson of Regency Contracting we created a workable solution. We installed a steelwork picture frame arrangement at ground floor level to transfer the load of the existing remaining first floor gable and fireplace to the existing foundations. All were designed to limit the vertical deflection of the steelwork and prevent cracking to the existing masonry, whilst limiting the depth of the steelwork to sit within the depth of the existing floor zone.
Image Credit: Ashleigh Clarke Architects
Civil Engineering Approach
SOLID’s civils team followed the SuDS requirement for the design for surface water drainage. In terms of sustainability, there is a hierarchy, and the aim is to discharge surface run off as high up this hierarchy as possible. The hierarchy continues as follows; 1 – Infiltrate the water (allow it to drain through the ground. 2 – Allow it to drain to a surface water body. 3 – Drain it into a surface water sewer, highway drain, or similar. 4 – drain it to a combined sewer. We were able to infiltrate the surface water from the extension, providing the most sustainable option for surface water drainage.
The foul water pipe runs through the extension (as shown in our next image). This provided a challenge for our structural engineers who had to align and deepen the proposed foundations to avoid surcharging the pipe.
Throughout the design process we maintained an outstanding collaboration with the water authority, helping to provide the best possible drainage solution.
As the property sits within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural beauty there were tight planning constraints in place, so the designs had to follow the Cotswold Design Code to be approved for planning.
We are pleased to share these beautiful images by Adam Carter of the completed property and we think you will agree, it makes for a dream Cotswold home. With the addition of a new connection between the living room and existing kitchen and further ground floor alterations, the flow of the home is now better suited to family life and provides the much-desired entertaining space. The full width glazed panels ensure the house stays light and bright no matter how dreary January becomes.
Are you considering alterations to your own home this coming year? Contact our SOLID team to see how we can help bring your dreams to fruition.