Following
on from a Planning refusal of a scheme by one of our competitors we were
appointed with the refurbishment and extension of a family house in order to
create more space and a contemporary living environment.
Due to
the modest budget creating a 'typical glass box' was not feasible and so we
investigated the feasibility of 'half a glass box'. - The idea of
the wedges was born: The proposed side extension is made up by two wedges;
one is made out of glass whilst the other one is made out of oak. The two
elements are seemingly wedged into the existing gap forming a dramatic
extension and an intimate courtyard. Slopes and angles re-appear throughout in
various details such as a kinked kitchen (enabling us to accommodate services
in the deeper parts whilst saving space elsewhere), asymmetrical steps,
seemingly random lighting, an oak-wedge box window for the children to sit
in and a kinked shower room (which helped us to overcome the narrow passage
into the new space in a surprising way).
The new
courtyard fulfills a number of functions: It enables natural light to penetrate
back into the front room of the existing main building. It also allowed us to
re-utilize an old door opening as a window which in return illuminates the
sandblasted bathroom glass box. Last but not least the small outdoor area is
simply pleasant to look at. We have been told by the clients that it will also
be used as a secluded reading space where one can 'escape' to from the rest of
the family.