Sitting comfortably within Clarence Park, one of St Albans’ finest conservation areas, is a locally listed Edwardian semi-detached property.
Despite its charming exterior and prominent position within the conservation area, the existing living arrangements were not working well for the family of four. The north-facing kitchen and living spaces felt disconnected and lacked natural light, so we sought a solution that would create a dining area directly connected to the kitchen, while also providing a space from which to enjoy the garden.
The clients also wanted an extension with a strong contemporary character that would be clearly distinguishable from the original Edwardian property. Being located within a conservation area, we had to be mindful of the style, scale and impact of any contemporary additions on the street scene.
To achieve this, we designed a single-storey extension incorporating floor-to-ceiling glazing and sliding doors with minimal frames, creating a strong visual connection with the garden.
The glazing wraps around the rear of the extension, while the structure is painted yellow to tie in with the client’s existing kitchen island. Carefully positioned rooflights help maintain a light and airy feel within both the kitchen and the children’s playroom.
As the extension is north-facing, we also had to consider how best to maximise natural light while avoiding excessive heat gain during the summer months. This was addressed through the use of extensive glazing, which provides a high level of natural ambient light. The glass also incorporates solar-control properties without compromising its visual clarity.
The extension is wrapped in vertically seamed black zinc cladding. The use of zinc directly references metal cladding found elsewhere within the conservation area. The high-performance cladding is also low-maintenance and provides the sharp contemporary contrast with the existing Edwardian architecture that the clients were looking for.
A new patio area and flush thresholds help create a seamless connection between the house and garden, making the outdoor space easier to access and enjoy.
Contractor Hedingham Construction
Glazing: IQ Glass
Cladding: VM Zinc
Cladding contractor: Roles Broderick