Woodford Road
Snaresbrook, East London
Overview
Our clients were keen to restore their jaded Art Deco home to its former glory and create a fully wheelchair-accessible family home to enjoy. We knew we could achieve both these aspirations through planning and design cleverness, and set about establishing how best to undo the inappropriate alterations, and refurbish and restore the property’s original features
Our design is in two parts with the clever external re-modelling which includes the roofline, alterations to the rear elevation and a modest rear extension, coupled with a new internal layout which has created dramatic open spaces.
Internally, we re-modelled the circulation spaces and replaced the existing staircase whilst being respectful to the home’s original structure, allowing us to open up the previously warren like spaces on the ground floor and allow level access through-out. The addition of a new lift allowed wheelchair access to the upper levels.
These renovations combined with the widening of all door openings throughout the house, achieved the client’s wish for each floor to be free-flowing and fully accessible by all members of the family.
The result is an approachable family home with original Art Deco features and modern interpretations, forming a sympathetic balance between old and new.
- Sympathetic restoration with a modern architectural roof addition which enhances the street scene
- Render grooves, set backs and low relief decorative panels have been restored to their former glory
- Dark aluminium clad extensions profiled to complement the Art Deco linear style
- Two-storey curtain glazing provides abundant natural daylight and views
- Fully wheelchair-accessible both externally and internally to meet the family’s needs
- A new double-storey garden room at the rear links architecturally to the remodelled house
'There aren't many opportunities to work on original Art Deco properties. This one had become pretty dilapidated, but it was easy to see how amazing it could once again become.
We've put our own stamp on it in the form of the contemporary rear extension and taken on the additional challenge of rethinking the layouts, not just for 21st-century living but for full accessibility.‘ Alexa Kasim, Technical Director
Detail
Carbon impact
Given the age of the building, ensuring its long-term use and running costs we took a fabric-first approach when developing the technical details for the builders to work to.
We were intentional about retaining and repairing most of the original building which was of a high quality. With the additions from the 1980s/90s which were of a lower quality, our focus was to assess their likely survival/performance over the next 25 years. Where their condition was judged too poor to likely survive they were stripped out and replaced with high quality materials and modern detailing.
We upgraded the remaining fabric to bring it up to 21st century standards by replacing all existing windows and doors as well as insulating all existing walls. The underfloor heating implemented makes heating the space more efficient. Both factors combine to ensure less energy is required to heat the home.
The Garden Room is heated using an Air Source Heat pump.
Carbon impact
Given the age of the building, ensuring its long-term use and running costs we took a fabric-first approach when developing the technical details for the builders to work to.
We were intentional about retaining and repairing most of the original building which was of a high quality. With the additions from the 1980s/90s which were of a lower quality, our focus was to assess their likely survival/performance over the next 25 years. Where their condition was judged too poor to likely survive they were stripped out and replaced with high quality materials and modern detailing.
We upgraded the remaining fabric to bring it up to 21st century standards by replacing all existing windows and doors as well as insulating all existing walls. The underfloor heating implemented makes heating the space more efficient. Both factors combine to ensure less energy is required to heat the home.
The Garden Room is heated using an Air Source Heat pump.
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