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When redesigning a family home in South-West London, the team at Harvey Wright Architects rediscovered their flair for minimalist design.
For architects Ian Harvey and Daniel Wright, every new project is an opportunity to display the innovative thinking that they have become known for. When a couple from the world of finance came to them about a total redesign of their family home in South-West London, they knew it would be an exciting experience.
‘They liked a homely, minimalist design style: neat, clean lines.’ Daniel explains. ‘The brief was to create a house with a flexible living space, an open connection with the outdoor area, plenty of room storage, as well as three high-spec bathrooms and well laid-out bedrooms.’
It would turn out to be one of the most original projects Harvey Wright Architects had ever taken on. The design process began in June 2016, while building started in April 2017 and took four months. The family moved out of their home for the entirety of the build. However, this project would not be without its challenges. It would see Ian and Daniel rely on all their architectural skills.
When Harvey Wright Architects arrived at the property for the first time, they identified a problem that needed urgent attention. The house had an extension to the rear, installed by a previous owner, but had been built without any consideration for how the spaces would work and did not work for how the client wanted to use the house. On top of that, the existing loft had been partially converted by just boarding the loft and was not structurally sound.
Ian and Daniel decided early on to demolish the existing extension and rebuild. They would also completely strip out the loft conversion. It was time for a clean slate.
Another design consideration was that the homeowner was extremely tall. Ian and Daniel would have to take this into account with all their designs, particularly as redoing the loft conversion required adding new steelwork above the existing floor to support the retained dormer. They would also have to reconfigure the stairs.
As Ian explains, ‘We were quite concerned about the reduced headroom, but with the tall roofspace, we found we could provide enough height for the client.’
When it came to obtaining planning permission for their design, Ian and Daniel took did not choose the straightforward approach. However, it was one that ensured the client was able to get what they wanted.
To take advantage of the maximum allowance under permitted development for roof extensions, they obtained a Lawful Development Certificate for the large dormer, followed by a separate householder planning permission for the full-width rear extension.
Daniel tells us more. ‘Planning legislation requires either all or none of a single building operation to be permitted development, which would have required the dormer to have been built first, signed off by Building Control (as evidence of its completion) and the extension built next.’
This is a solution that not all architects even know is possible, but it’s another example of how Ian and Daniel think outside the box to make life easier for their clients.
As the build progressed, Ian and Daniel got to show their flair for finding solutions through design. The architects were thrilled about how they could find storage space for their clients, often in unexpected places, including pull-out shelves under the stairs. The oak walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom is stunning, while the sliding pocket doors in the TV snug meet at a corner, satisfying the client’s love of minimalist, clean lines.
The Harvey Wright team also made use of innovative water storage units to create more space for the family. It was an idea that paid off and one they have used on other projects since. As Ian explains, ‘Hot water cylinders are usually vertical, but for this project, we installed a horizontal one in the eaves. It’s excellent for saving and reclaiming previously unused space. We have specified these several times since.’
For the ground-floor living space, glass would be used to create clear sightlines, bringing the outside in. Large sliding doors would lead to a level patio outside, while an amazing skylight would provide the centrepiece. It’s the first thing everyone notices when they enter the house, but as Daniel recalls, the installation had its scary moments.
‘The double-glazed structural glass over the living space was unusually large for a single sheet. It had to be man-handled down the side of the house by six men, then lifted into place using a spider crane (a fold-up crane on caterpillar tracks, with long, extendable legs). It was tense to watch, but the specialist installers had it completely under control, though I still get a cold sweat thinking about it!’
When Harvey Wright Architects take on a project like this, they are there for their clients from start to finish and beyond.
For several months after the project was finished, the client remarked that the water and ice from the plumbed-in fridge-freezer tasted of plastic. The fridge manufacturer replaced several parts, but the taste never went away. Daniel tells us more.
‘On my last visit, I was determined to get to the bottom of it. We removed the kitchen plinth to trace and access the pipework, disconnected the pipework from the fridge, tasted the water from the pipework and, as a result, quickly eliminated the fridge as the cause of the strange taste.
‘The builder replaced the plastic pipework with a different brand and the taste vanished. The client was very pleased with my investigation and commitment to problem-solving.’
Having ironed out all the glitches, it was time for Ian and Daniel to leave their clients to enjoy their perfect, newly-redesigned home.
As the client put it in a hand-written letter to Daniel, ‘It’s been a significant transformation and we’re delighted with the result. Thank you for bringing your skills, diligence and indeed good-humour. We’re not in a hurry to launch another project, but if we were, we’d be talking to you!’
For the team at Harvey Wright Architects, it’s a thrill to see hard work paying off with testimonials like this.
To find out more about Harvey Wright Architects, call 020 3239 6044 or visit hwarchitects.co.uk.
© Copyright Harvey Wright Architects 2024.
© Copyright Harvey Wright Architects.
