CONTACTS/ SUPPLIERS
ARCHITECT
Levitate Architects
levitate.uk.com
ZINC CLADDING VMZinc Anthra (installed
by F&G Roofing)
www.vmzinc.co.uk fgcopperzincroofing.co.uk
FOLDING DOORS
Schueco installed by Bifold Door Company
www.schueco.com
bifolddoorcompanyukltd.co.uk
ROOFLIGHT GLAZING Glazing Vision installed by
MCW Construction
www.glazingvision.co.uk 07834 169820
CURTAINS
Silent Gliss
www.silentgliss.co.uk
KITCHEN UNITS/JOINERY
Vialle & Co
www.vialleandco.com
CONCRETE FLOORING Lazenby
www.lazenby.co.uk
because the first had gone bust. The second main contractor was found on the recommendation of a friend, who then took care of finding the majority of the subcontractors. “We found a few, but they were mostly provided by our main contractor,” says James. Levitate remained involved throughout the construction, taking on a project management role, although the couple remained closely involved throughout. “It’s one of the key things we found,” explains James. “Even though they were managing the project, we still needed to make sure we make time to keep on top of the decisions that had to be made.” They remained living upstairs while the work took place, which was ideal for making sure they were as involved and present as necessary. “It was nice to be able to keep track of things as they developed,” James says. Being there also proved useful on a couple of occasions during the build. “I was standing with the builder as they were pulling out a wall near the reading nook that they were going to rebuild and I made a snap decision not to rebuild it!” James explains. While onsite they also realised they would need more plug sockets than they originally planned for. Work started in March 2012, and everything was completed by August 2019, and James admits that adhering to both the original budget and timescale wasn’t possible in the end.
THE RIGHT LOOK The original property being of Victorian heritage meant the changes James and Tina made
jul/aug 2021
externally needed to be minimal to avoid compromising desirable original features. However, to include a contemporary touch, they incorporated a lantern skylight above the seating area within the extension, which has been finished with standing seam zinc cladding. “It adds a hint of modernism to the otherwise restrained external alterations,” says James. They drew inspiration from various sources, including personal recommendations, a self- build trade show, and their own online research. Internally they had more freedom to include
modern features and achieve an overall contemporary look. It was also imperative that it was filled with light, says Tina. “Partly that is achieved by using large areas of glazing, but the semi-reflective surfaces of the polished concrete and the work surfaces really helps,” she explains. They also wanted to ensure the open theme continued throughout the interior of the house. “We wanted it to be connected, so that whoever was cooking didn’t feel like a scullery servant!” Tina says.
The new layout at the back of the home is
more “ordered” than that of the original, the architects explain, which they describe as a “tangle of staircases terminating in the garden.” Entering the house from the front, visitors pass
a formal living/TV room, while a study is accessed via a light-filled hallway, from which stairs lead up and down. Upstairs, the bedrooms have been fully renovated, though their layout remains unchanged. Descending to the lower ground floor, Tina explains the first thing you see is the Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) in the
www.sbhonline.co.uk 41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
