We were approached by a young couple with two children who had recently purchased a semi-detached ‘villa’ style property on Castle Road in Bedford. The property required updating and altering to fully benefit them as a young family and create a real connection to the long linear garden to the rear. In addition, they wanted to explore the potential for creating a master suite within the loft space given the tall roof height and neighbours who had done the same.

We tested and reviewed several designs that adapted and refurbished the ground floor of the house to create the kitchen, dining and informal entertainment area they wanted, and separated away the WC and utility room required for them to use the house. We also explored how to create a connection with the garden and bring this wonderful external space up to engage with this newly expansive room. In addition, we explored generating more daylight and openness via the alteration of the roof-scape to the original extension so by changing this to a flat roof we could raise it up, insert a series of specifically positioned roof-lights and change the visual aspect above to be a green roof rather than a tiled roof.

At roof level, we designed three different options for the dormer design that used materials we found to be prevalent in the area but would suit the design of the original house. All three designs continued the staircase up from first to loft by changing the original roof from hipped to gable end. The design of the dormers was to generate interest externally rather than just a standard ‘box dormer’ and then create drama within the bedroom space by exposing the timber frame required structurally and expressing this against the plastered walls.

We gained planning permission in August 2019 where we then completed the detailed design package ready for Building Regulations submission and the construction phase of the project. The clients are currently working with their chosen builder to commence works in the near future. We wish them well in the future and can’t wait to see the finished project.