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Complete refurbishment of bungalow into a contemporary 4 bed dwelling

Wighton Architects

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We recently completed the full refurbishment and extension of a tired and run down 1960's bungalow into a 4 bed contemporary dwelling. Utilising the sloping nature of the site we created a new formal entrance with an open staircase linking the first and second floors enabling light to penetrate deep into the ground floor. The removal of several key walls helped create an open plan sitting room and study area on the same level as the main bedrooms with the main kitchen / living / dining area accessed a half down linking with the private south facing garden to the rear and the roof terrace a half level above. The roof terrace which was existing but only accessed externally was brought into play by the creating the central stairwell and is now accessible from inside and a further bedroom and cinema room contained in the roof.

After

Before

After

Before

After - Enlarged window with view out over valley

Before - Rectangular window looking out over valley

Comments (3)

Allyssa G
6 years ago
We want to do something similar with our 1960s bungalow...but we're in Hertfordshire- guessing you wouldn't travel that far afield?
Wighton Architects thanked Allyssa G
PRO
Wighton Architects
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi Allyssa, we do a lot of work in the south east and currently have projects on the go in Sawbridgeworth, High Wych, Epping, Waltham Abbey and Hatfield Heath so depending on where you are in Hertfordshire (I appreciate some of the above are not in Hertfordshire but are close by) it might be possible? Coincidently I am down in Waltham Abbey and Epping tomorrow so could pop in if the location and timing worked for both of us. Failing that if you are interested in using us I can always co-ordinate a meeting for another day I am down in the area? If you would like to correspond on email please contact me direct on stuart@wightonarchitects.com Cheers Stuart
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Dear @judibutler I assume you are referring to a wall which is wholly above ground and that you have completely ruled out damp tracking into the wall from above. A lot depends on the size and thickness of the wall and other factors, such as if the building is listed. Damp penetration (driving rain) through granite walls has been an ongoing problem in church towers in the southwest of England for some time. Ironically the problem often seems to get worse after re-pointing in lime. Granite is fairly impervious and was often in laid in large blocks meaning trapped water has little chance of getting out through thin mortar joints. Historic England held an excellent conference on the subject in 2013; the transcript of proceedings can be found at: http://content.historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/research/damp-towers-conf2013-programme-transcripts.pdf A roughcast lime render coat may help, but there could equally be voids in the wall which are holding damp and may need grouting. However, grouting is a very tricky and expensive technique which should not be undertaken lightly, and only works if one knows exactly where the voids are. Over-cladding the whole wall with semi-sacrificial weather boarding may be a last resort. This and rendering are likely to require planning consent. Depending on where you are located, a company like ArchiMetric (www.archimetrics.co.uk) could insert some interstitial moisture monitors into the wall to try and find out exactly where and when the damp is getting in and how it is moving through the wall, but this may be expensive. Some localised investigation by dismantling pockets of stone may be useful. The Society of Ancient Buildings helpline (mornings only on 020 7456 0916) may be able to help with specialists in your area. Most importantly try to get an understanding of how water is getting into and moving through your wall before you embark on anything. If your problems relate to below-ground damp then a different response will be needed.
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PRO
V.I.P Walls Interior Specialist
6 years ago
Hi guys consider us if clients want any feature wall products. We supply and instal .

Brad
V.I.P Walls Ltd

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