RAEBURN | REMODEL
Project Description: Remodel of existing chalet bungalow in Surbiton, Surrey
Total Gross Internal Area: Existing 391m²; Proposed 578m² (inc garage)
Planning Granted: 2013
Project Type: Internal and External Remodel of Existing Dwelling
Procurement Method: JCT homeowner contract with building contractor taking possession of the property and responsible for delivering all of the works
Tony Holt Design Appointment: Design and planning.
The property is on a generous plot with a large East and South facing rear garden.
This existing chalet bungalow has a large footprint providing 352m² of accommodation, but its external appearance leaves a lot to be desired.
The footprint of the house is long and narrow, and the rooms are arranged in a linear arrangement with numerous stepping along the elevations. This has led to an over complicated roof structure and has the impact of creating an unattractive looking property. The overall room sizes are large which is an advantage and will allow relocating of rooms with minimal structural changes on the Ground Floor.
The first floor additions have been added to what was thought to be original designed as a single storey bungalow, and it’s produced a poor internal layout and an unbalanced appearance. The first floor rooms provide poor quality of space, much of which is constrained by sloping ceilings and there are numerous small changes in level.
Externally the property is finished with dark brown concrete roof tiles and buff brickwork which is typical of mass house building in the 1980’s.
The New Design
Altering the existing complicated roof structure in an economical way whilst producing an attractive bespoke design is not possible, therefore the conceptual approach involves removing the existing roof and replacing it with a prefabricated timber box to create full height first floor accommodation.
The existing ground floor footprint already provides generous spaces and therefore only small additional extension work is required to create a better flow with a simple rearrangement of rooms and leave most of the structural loadbearing elements unchanged. The main change on this floor is the addition of a two storey element to the North East corner of the property allowing it to step out from the existing rear elevation and capture more of a Southern aspect onto the rear garden.
The new first floor creates 6 double bedrooms, 4 of which have en suites, a family bathroom and a dedicated laundry room. The new contemporary flat roof creates the opportunity to introduce roof lights maximising natural light into the middle of the footprint.
Externally the property responds much better to the orientation and the external appearance has been transformed into an uber contemporary bespoke house and really makes a statement, whilst producing over 500m² of quality internal spaces to allow for modern day family living.
The house has been transformed from an uninspiring chalet bungalow into a stylish family house. The envelope is simple and uncomplicated, but the new palette of materials and architectural detailing adds enough interest to give it a touch of class. The fenestration has been orientated in response to the movement of the sun which allows all the interior spaces to receive lots of natural light, whilst breaking out onto the best part of the rear garden.