GWENDON | REMODEL
Project Description: Remodel of existing chalet bungalow in Shorn, Kent
Total Gross Internal Area: Existing 145m²; Proposed 247m²
Planning Granted: 2013
Project Type: Internal and External Remodel of Existing Dwelling
Tony Holt Design Appointment: Design and planning
The site is 0.6 acres and is in the greenbelt. The main opportunity is the distant views to the rear also benefitting from good orientation facing South West. There are no other major constraints and there is space to accommodate extensions of a considerable size, subject to greenbelt policy. The surrounding properties are very large detached 2 storey dwellings in substantial plots. The is no predominant architectural style in the local context and therefore a contemporary style would be considered as acceptable.
The existing chalet was built in the 1930's. The current footprint is 160m2 and the property consists of 2 bedrooms on the first floor, 1 bedroom on the ground floor, an open plan kitchen dining room and separate living room. The main problem with the property is that the 1st floor accommodation is small and cramped.
The New Design
Ground Floor
To make sure the design is deliverable in terms of cost; most of the ground floor has remained the same with as much structure retained as possible. The major alteration is the relocation of the front door and entrance hall to the front left corner. This creates the right focal point on approach to the property so that visitors know where to go. The current main entrance was out of view and this is confusing on approach. The existing kitchen/family, living room and utility is retained with only changes to window and door positions to create better connection to outside spaces. An extension to the South West corner has been added, forming a study area which takes full advantage of the distant views on offer and also breaking out onto the rear amenity space.
First Floor
The entire first floor is new and solves the current issue of cramped bedrooms with reduced head height and sloping ceilings. The spaces have been enclosed by a low pitch roof, allowing full head room over the entire footprint, whilst keeping the overall height of the building as low as possible to reduce mass and bulk. 4 double bedrooms are provided all with en suite. The master has a walk through dressing room with Bedroom 1,2 and 3 all having access to balconies with the main roof over sailing to provide shelter and a sense of enclosure.
External
Externally a new contemporary style has been created using a mix of materials including brickwork, Western Red Cedar Cladding, aluminium windows and a zinc roof. The design approach was to create a very simple first floor footprint, with the space enclosed under an even simpler roof shape with a single ridge and no junctions or up stands that would generate cost efficiency. The low pitch roof over sails the external walls, providing shelter to the balconies, and also the external areas at ground floor level.
Existing footprint: 145m² (1,560ft²)
Proposed footprint: 217m² (2,470ft²)