The Project
Heading back over to Bourne, we were instructed by a family looking to explore the possibility of extending over their existing single storey garage to create a generous master bedroom complete with a dressing area and en-suite.
The current layout of their home functioned well overall, already benefitting from an open-plan kitchen diner and a generous separate living area with French doors opening onto the garden. However, they felt there was untapped potential in the space above the garage.
Interior and Exterior Design
Our clients were clear from the outset that they wanted to build over the existing footprint, which gave us a strong starting point for the design. However, there were still numerous details to refine, including the internal layout, fenestration design, and window placement.
Extending over a garage can, in some cases, require either rebuilding existing walls or strengthening them internally to ensure they can adequately support the new structure above. We often recommend undertaking a foundation investigation alongside our measured survey to assess whether the existing foundations are sufficient to accommodate the increased load.
The new master bedroom benefits from a set of French doors and windows to the front, along with three Velux rooflights that allow ample natural light into the space. Due to the property’s location, introducing side windows could have created overlooking concerns; therefore, rooflights provided an effective and unobtrusive solution for bringing in additional daylight.
Following several refinements to the internal space planning, the clients opted for an angled en-suite wall. This clever solution maximises the usable bathroom space without significantly reducing the bedroom area, ensuring there is still ample room for a dressing space alongside.
Once the floorplan was finalised, attention turned to the external materials. Achieving a perfect brick match proved challenging, and the clients were also keen to introduce a more contemporary aesthetic. We therefore explored incorporating render to selected elevations, creating contrast with the existing brickwork. The final design uses render for the extension while retaining sections of the original brick, resulting in a balanced and modernised appearance.
Our real-time 3D architectural visualisations played a key role in this process, allowing us to compare different colours and finishes to determine what best suited the property.
One of the final elements of the design was reconfiguring the porch. The original wide, flat-roof porch spanning much of the front elevation was replaced with a smaller oak-framed porch, creating a more defined and welcoming entrance. Even relatively small changes like this can significantly enhance the façade of a home.
Submission to Local Planning Authority
This project was a straightforward householder planning application which was submitted to Local Authority for consideration.
Planning Permission Granted
We are pleased to confirm that planning permission was granted within the standard determination period. Clear and well-presented designs, supported by additional 3D views, can greatly assist planning officers in making a fully informed decision.
If you are considering making changes to get the very best from your home, we would be delighted to discuss the possibilities with your during a free initial consultation. Get in touch today!
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