The Property

Elm Park Road, Havering

This two-bedroom, end-of-terrace property is in the London Borough of Havering and within an area that has not had many developments of this size and high quality. This house followed a rather unconventional layout, with the staircase in the kitchen/dining area and near a ground floor bathroom. On the first floor, there were two disproportionately sized bedrooms. Definitely a house with potential to increase its property value through improvements, but also where the real ‘personal’ value of the home would increase too – a genuine opportunity to improve quality of life.

Step one

The Brief

Despite few local examples from which to work, the client could see real potential in carefully re-modelling and extending. Their ideas included a ground floor and first floor extension, and they wanted to keep the traditional feel of the property, with a modern twist, increasing light, style and utility. A new staircase would be the focal point of the house. Key to the plans was the addition of a third bedroom and a remodelled first floor bathroom.

Step two

Our Solution

  • Planning permission for a 6m rear extension and a 3m first floor rear extension. The external profile of the development follows two notions – the ground floor extension reflects neighbouring properties by proposing an extension of similar style and the first floor is in step with the existing property by including a matching hipped roof. There is good scope to develop the property further still, and this was factored into the work to make future development easy.
  • A new, straight, staircase with a winder, provides more comfortable access to the first floor and useable space beneath it; we proposed a decently sized toilet with a discreet pocket door. A hidden gem from outside the house, the staircase is an architectural feature of the property, catching the eye as you enter; and because of the situation and design, your attention is drawn further and fluidly into the house.
  • Staircase details include unique balustrades that are light, reflective and impossible not to admire. The custom balustrades not only comply with Building Regulations but reflect the clients’ own taste and personality.
  • With the new staircase positioned nearly centrally a new side window on the first floor brings natural light down onto the staircase and into the hallway. A sense of lightness and openness is realised.
  • The new hallway on the ground floor helps to organise spaces properly and aid privacy. The absence of a physical kitchen door not only enhances movement through the house, but the staircase is seen from both ends of the property, maximising the feeling of openness and emphasising the sense of coherence and wholeness of the house. This unique blend of spaces is the heart of the home
  • The combined kitchen/dining and seating area read as one single social and unifying space. A generously sized kitchen island lets the family socialise and eat together. And whilst the original plan of the house results in some narrow spaces, the combined use of light-coloured surfaces, wide openings and skylights strategically positioned helps to bring and reflect natural light inside, enhancing the total quality of the space. Complementing this, structural steel work is flush with the floor and roof structure above.
  • On the first floor, with the staircase re-positioned, we introduced a family bathroom and the additional bedroom.
  • The entirety of the property is predominantly white, with accents of black found in the roof and guttering although most of the latter is concealed. We designed it to channel towards the side of the property via a scupper drain system.
  • Connecting the internal and external element is always a very important aspect of the design brief. Our clients loved the idea of seating with a view of the garden; we positioned the kitchen in the middle of the property with a large social seating area towards the garden.  The openings to the rear garden are accentuated by a black frame and specifying bi-fold doors allows for wider openings and a direct, seamless connection to the outdoor space. An external decking area helps to blend the two spaces and reinforces the connection with the outdoors.
  • The result was three decently sized bedrooms with a bathroom suitable for a family to truly enjoy. In today’s housing market, the need for extra space and bedrooms is always high; this solution added flexibility and utility as well as a real sense of comfort. 
  • The client was delighted with our designs and the outcome of the work. These solutions provided the perfect combination of enlarged and improved living spaces while also adding value to the property.

Where do you provide architectural design services?

Divi Design also provide architectural design services across all areas of London, not just Havering.

We’ve completed projects throughout the capital, such as home extensions in Croydon and transformative developments in Romford.

You can take a look at the rest of our portfolio for examples of our work in other areas such as Thurrock.

So whether you’re in Twickenham, Bexley, or any other London borough, we’re on hand to provide architectural design services.

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