Colin and Rita have just bought a new build detached three bedroom house, located on the edge of a large development in the town that they love.
Although they downsized from their previous home, they are dismayed by the small kitchen which was provided.
They came to Pride Road asking for an Orangery space to make the kitchen feel larger as there was very little worktop and storage space. Despite the spacious rooms, there was limited storage in general, and Colin needed space for his golf clubs and garden kit. They also want to put a utility room in the gap between the garage and the house.
At the workshop we explored four options.
We drew out what Colin and Rita had been thinking, which was a long narrow space in line with the garage, with lots of glazing to the rear and on the roof. Per their request, next to the garage, we drew a utility room containing three units and some space for coats and boots.
Having looked at option one it was clear that the Orangery space could easily turn into a corridor. We looked at some pictures of other Orangeries and conservatory type extensions.
It became apparent that an Orangery looks good if it fits with the size of the original house. We therefore looked at an extended room to the rear of the house which kept the symmetry from the kitchen. We also considered a subservient single-storey extension to the side which would be the utility room.
Breaking up the volumes in this way creates a far more elegant and well designed addition to the house.
We considered opening up the back of the house so that the Orangery became more of a rear extension, creating one large kitchen, dining, living space. Colin and Rita liked the idea of cooking and still being able to look out into the garden. They also particularly liked the flexibility this would give them if friends came round for coffee or dinner.
This option developed because Colin was concerned about doing any work that would disrupt the existing house.
As Colin and Rita are buying a show home, they are inheriting a fully furnished and decorated house. They felt it was a shame create more expense and work by opening up the existing walls.
Option four therefore looked at a compromise solution between the previous options, where the rear wall was not opened up but the existing glazing and French doors were removed instead. This means that there is no interruption to the internal decorations and the existing lintel can be used rather than an expensive steel.
To make this plan work we needed to make the Orangery extension slightly deeper. We were able to plan in a cosy living space and a space for a dining table. The utility room sits to the side and is a very efficient space, providing huge amounts of storage tucked away from the main house.
Colin and Rita commented that watching Laura draw for 2 hours was the longest they had watched a screen without changing the channel for many months!
Here are the drawings from the Workshop.
Colin said,
‘It’s been an experience! We’ve enjoyed every minute and we can’t wait for the next episode!
I think we’re getting to a point where you have given us something we would be interested in.
Colin and Rita
We’ve enjoyed every minute and we can’t wait for the next episode!
An interesting exploration of the different styles of room created depending on how much you open up the back of your existing house.
This was an interesting exploration of the different styles of room created depending on how much you open up the back of your existing house. It is tricky to add on a room and make it work well without having a substantial opening.
Pride Road
