Building a loft conversion for more space has transformed this home

Once you wish to broaden an present home, including an attic conversion for extra space or constructing an extension to a home are sometimes the most well-liked options. The latter is normally the least invasive, however constructing upstairs and changing the attic area will provide you with a lot extra space, particularly when you’ve got a rising household and wish extra bedrooms.

This slender two-bedroom Victorian property was too small for the household dwelling in it – the couple had two kids they usually additionally wanted area for a visitor bed room. They contacted Daniel Rees, founding father of Rees Architects to see how they may broaden their present area to fulfill their wants.

Right here, Daniel explains how the crew created a well-considered loft extension to create a balanced household dwelling.

Convert attic for extra space

‘As a result of an extension on the again would not have helped to get further bedrooms, an attic conversion was the most effective resolution. We had to make use of each inch of area purposefully and intentionally,” explains Daniel van Rees Architects, “It was important to make the present plan work arduous with a considerate design. It was additionally necessary to create an area that felt heat and beneficiant whereas being practical.”

“The ceiling top within the attic area was solely two meters,” continues architect Daniel, “with out taking into consideration the area that will be occupied by the structural framework for the deliberate important dormer and the rear dormer above the stamp.”

“We needed to unravel this holistically, so we lowered the ceilings on the 2 flooring beneath to get extra top within the new attic area. On this manner we have now created three flooring which might be proportionally aligned as an alternative of 1 flooring that clearly has no top.’

Massive bed room

The window seat concepts in the master suite are clad in plywood and supply snug seating for the homeowners to benefit from the backyard views.

As area is proscribed, this built-in resolution additionally means there isn’t a want to usher in extra furnishings, which would cut back the obtainable flooring area. The muted colour palette compliments the understated inside design and helps to create a restful retreat.

“We uncovered the beams in the master suite and visitor bed room,” continues Daniel, “and painted them the identical colour because the partitions to create a higher sense of area and depth.”

‘Constructed-in wardrobes benefit from the eaves,’ continues Daniel, ‘and we have additionally built-in hidden cupboard space behind the garments rails. Angled copper baseboards assist create an optical phantasm of extra top and add to the contemporary and clear aesthetic. The glazing additionally performs an necessary position by bringing pure mild into each a part of the brand new loft.’

Within the bed room, the attic conversion concepts are characterised by uncovered beams which were fully modernized and painted in the identical tone because the partitions, in order that they mix in with the entire. Matte black downlights and wall lighting have been fastidiously positioned to create a way of symmetry that’s replicated all through the loft area.

The mattress is sort of flush with the window seat so the view of the backyard just isn’t obstructed. Elements of the partitions are coated with a layer of rubber and cork materials – each of which distinction with the black parts, but in addition have a practical use. The fabric has acoustic insulating properties that successfully soak up sound.

Mounted below the eaves are plywood cupboards reflecting the identical materials instantly reverse the window. Storage, whereas important, is designed to mix into the area as a lot as potential in order to not create distractions.

The minimalist design with out handles ensures that the design maintains a tidy look, all consistent with the thought of ​​creating an area to chill out.

Hall doorways

To maximise the obtainable flooring area within the new loft, one of many many intelligent storage options for the small areas the architects created was the doorways to the master suite and ensuite.

With each doorways open you get entry to the bed room en suite. Shut them and that a part of the hallway successfully turns into an additional a part of the bed room, with the ensuite closed off from the remainder of the ground.

These customized doorways characteristic magnets on every leaf that preserve them totally open at 90° and have a flush end. Right here (see above) the doorways are open, hiding the wall of cork and rubber.

When the best door is closed (see beneath), it supplies privateness within the lavatory space, and on the left, it helps include the visitor bed room. The black colorways used match the minimalist model that has been carried out all through.

When the hallway doorways are closed, a part of the hallway is integrated into the master suite. This part of the hall additionally has a big skylight with an built-in blackout curtain.

The lavatory

The trendy lavatory concepts characteristic clear and uncluttered fixtures and fittings with wall-hung sanitary ware that makes the area really feel bigger. The partitions are coated with marmoleum, which is produced from 97% pure uncooked supplies and is CO2 impartial.

Marmoleum is a sensible low-maintenance floor that’s each sturdy and gives a easy, clear end with out the breakage of wall tiles.

The home windows are positioned in such a manner that they create a sense of extra space than there really is, which supplies an elongated look.

The attic lavatory concepts even have a compact walk-in bathe, there isn’t a glass enclosure to maintain clear, however the wall helps to retain the water.

The identical marmoleum materials is utilized to the flooring with a special sample that mirrors the feel of the close by cork and rubber partitions. Once more, glossy matte black bathe taps assist full the up to date look.

The visitor room

The visitor bed room can be utilized as a multi-purpose room with movable furnishings for the homeowners to adapt to their wants. Right here, the olive inexperienced partitions and darkish flooring present a pleasant distinction, whereas the window directs your view to the backyard.

The area feels vibrant regardless of the deep tones used, with the sunshine coloured furnishings and ceiling including to the sensation of airiness.

The constructing earlier than work began

The terraced home had a normal, cramped Victorian format that fell wanting the wants of contemporary household life. The homeowners wanted extra space for his or her rising household, in addition to a visitor room to entertain guests. The present format had solely two bedrooms and didn’t match the present flooring plan as a lot as potential.

Give attention to: Extensions of dormer home windows

Daniel Rees of Rees Architects offers us the low down

• CONSIDER CLEARANCE A minimal headroom requirement is between 2 and a pair of.2m, so in case your hutch is presently lower than 2.5m, it is going to be troublesome to make it work when structural area is taken into consideration.
• ADD LIGHT Inserting a skylight instantly above the stairwell in a dormer extension is a brilliant option to carry mild into your private home. If the attic room is small, it’s also an concept to depart the steps to the room open and to position the entry door to this room on the ground beneath.
• FOLLOW THE RULES Permitted improvement and most planning insurance policies won’t permit you to elevate the ridge of the roof, though in case your neighbors have larger roofs it could be potential, however nonetheless unlikely.
• STRETCH IT OUT Hip roofs (these with three or 4 slopes to the roof), as an alternative of the standard two, permit you to prolong over the whole roofline, so long as it does not rise above the best ridge line.
• TOTAL SPACE For buildings, it’s possible you’ll place a most of 40 cubic meters at a terraced home, together with an finish terrace. This goes as much as 50 meters for semi-detached homes and indifferent homes.