Sheldon Peever Studio

9145

Located within the St Albans conservation area this locally listed property presented some issues.

Our client approached us to transform their dark and disjointed basement space. Additionally, there were separate kitchen, dining and living areas. The result is a bright and inviting area that connects with their garden.

Located in the centre of St Albans city and a conservation area, this locally listed Victorian Gothic townhouse presented a major challenge. The first challenge being to bring natural light into the basement. As the South-facing flank wall was adjacent to the street this limited the placement of windows. Issues of overlooking and reinforcing the subterranean atmosphere of the space had to be avoided. We resolved this issue by incorporating rooflights.

The second challenge to make the lower ground level not feel subterranean.

The first large rooflight is shaded from direct sunlight, significantly increasing light levels while reducing the potential for solar gain. The second is a slim strip of frameless glass (by IQ Glass) on the South elevation of the house. Allowing us to raise the ceiling height in these areas and create a sense of spaciousness and light. Smaller windows to the South elevation provide natural light to the existing stairwell and hallway and frame views of the newly landscaped exterior.

The pale limestone flooring (Quornstone) used internally and externally, along with the flush thresholds and slim framed sliding doors, blurred the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Resulting in a welcoming and social area that seamlessly extends into the garden.

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The house has a Victorian Gothic appearance on the front street elevation. Simpler decoration adorned the side and rear elevations.

Our design incorporated external materials that matched those of the original building, to ensure that the extensions blended in with the existing house rather than standing out. This was a key consideration for the side extension due to its prominent location within the St Albans conservation area. The side extension facing the street was built in red brickwork to integrate the extension with the existing and new boundary wall.

A narrow strip of land on the South elevation has been improved by a new brick wall with metal railings. Transforming a previously neglected and graffiti-prone area. In addition, an irrigation system has been added to maintain the new planting year-round.

The new boundary wall not only creates a privacy strip between the public pavement and house but creates a visually stunning contribution to the public realm.