Howard Street, York

The property was a 3 bedroomed mid-terrace Nineteenth Century dwelling on an attractive cul-de-sac. Typical of the terrace, to the rear there was a galley kitchen and a small garden. To the second floor, was one bedroom, with a small en-suite bathroom. The project brief was to create a large kitchen space, that was connected through to the existing dining room, creating an open plan family-friendly space, together with adding a 4th bedroom and separate family bathroom. A key aim was to create a new contemporary look and feel to the rear of the property whilst maintaining the traditional proportions and detailing to the front.

In terms of space planning, the design solution was relatively simple. The galley kitchen was doubled in width to form a side return extension, and the wall between it and dining room opened up. The top floor was sub-divided to create 2 double bedrooms, and a bathroom, using a rear dormer window to improve the headroom. The challenge was in tying the parts together in a legible manner that creates a solution that is not several disparate pieces. The concept was to create a series of nested cuboid forms, which used a small complimentary palette of materials, (reclaimed brick, standing seam zinc and simple treated timber) and the same typical vocabulary of detail. In addition, the roofs of the lower extensions and external store were wildflower green roofs, increasing the bio-diversity and enjoyment of this small urban garden. Internally, roof storage was provided above the Kitchen extension. Instead of the more typical pitched roof form here, the box shaped roof, provides more usable and accessible storage whilst also creating striking contemporary massing.