Architect Shuahra Rahman from Pride Road Sutton & Kingston recently had the pleasure of working with a couple in Wallington, Sutton. The couple had moved into a 1930’s detached house with five bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, integral garage, and a large garden, and approached Shuahra as they wanted to update and extend it to meet their needs. The clients wanted to future-proof their home and start a family there.
The house was in need of significant updates including rewiring and plumbing. The house has been untouched for years and doesn’ suit modern life.
The existing conservatory at the back was in poor condition which also hindered the light flow into the living room, while the kitchen was also dimly lit. Additionally, storage space was limited and there was no ground-floor WC, making it an inconvenience.
The shape of the site, which was at an angle, posed a challenge and despite having a spacious entrance hall, the house lacked adequate storage and utility space. Due to a lack of cohesion between the rooms on the ground floor, the clients wanted to create an open-plan kitchen dining area.
Their aim was to have a spacious area that would allow them to gather and spend time together as a family.
The couple was in no hurry to create their dream home and wanted to phase their project. Shuahra Rahman had a full-day design workshop with the clients where she explored design options for the ground, first, and loft floor plans.The couple was delighted to be involved in the design process.
The first option included a five-meter extension on the back of the house, incorporating an open-plan kitchen-dining-seating area, a separate snug, a utility room, and a downstairs toilet. The living room was to be kept as it was.
The second option explored a similar layout but with the living room opening up into the kitchen area, featuring a large pantry and ample storage space.
The third option involved retaining a separate snug and extending the house to the side, which provided a more spacious open plan area. The addition of rooflights and large doors at the back provided ample light and great views of the garden.
For the first floor plan, various options were considered for the placement of the master bedroom. Ultimately, the clients loved the idea of having the master bed towards the rear of the house, affording a lovely view of the garden.
To create an idyllic master suite, a walk-in wardrobe and an attached en-suite were added. The family bathroom was also expanded. In the loft, the couple intended to add an additional bedroom and a shared bathroom.
During the follow-up meeting, the ground floor design that was chosen included a five-meter extension featuring an open-plan living area that would provide the family with ample space to spend time together.
Additionally, the design incorporated sufficient storage and a WC. This project is currently moving towards planning, and the couple are getting closer to achieving the functional, open, and airy home they desire.
"I loved the workshop, Shuahra. It was really engaging, really informal which I think was the best part of it. Great conversation. We were able to open our minds from what we thought was possible and now we have much more of an overview as to what is possible. Now we are in a great position where we can move on to the next stage which is exciting”
Customer
I loved the workshop, Shuahra.
"I am always thrilled to help clients bring their vision to life. The 1930s house in Wallington is a unique opportunity to create something special and I am looking forward to working closely with the clients to create a home that is both functional and beautiful." - Shuahra Rahman
Pride Road
