Advice please- turning the back of our house into the front

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hi everyone, we are renovating this old Victorian house. Although the existing front entrance is nice, we want to make the rear entrance the front entrance as the drive and parking space lends itself naturally to this (we think!). We are thinking a single storey extension with a double pitch roof might do the trick? Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

This is the current back of the house

The yellow is where the extension is marked.

Featured Answer

minnie101

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I think I would reinstate the entrance at the front of the house personally (I assume that’s where it was, ”front“ being with the bays!) and then rework the internal layout to suit.

A plan of the first floor may help.

it looks a great house 😊

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Comments (13)

E D
3 years ago
I’m actually confused and curious about all the aspects.

Which is the front; the back; the current back etc.?

Would love to see more photos of your impressive house.
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DS6 VAN
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thank you! The bay windows are actually the sides .... the photo you see shows the Current back of the house which we want transform into the front for many reasons- including that the drive leads to this space. The original entrance is shown in the floor plan and marked as IN .
DS6 VAN
Original Author
3 years ago
@minnie101 That‘s a great idea about flipping the entrance to the side (I.e where the bays are). The house is 150 years old and different sections were added on at different times so it is unique but not uniform!
E D
3 years ago
You only have bays on one side though haven't you?

Also your photo shows two sides, but I think you’re referring to the side the chimney is on.

I’m no expert but this chimney may make things more difficult, structurally, I guess.
DS6 VAN thanked E D
DS6 VAN
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes we only have the bays on one side and yes you are right- I am referring to the side with the chimney. 🙏
Ellen Hatch
3 years ago
Love this idea! The only thing I would change is bumping the center yellow new entry out even further, mimicking the roof pitch and shape of the bays (but taller and larger of course). Can you do some dramatic steps up to the entry or are you already at floor level? I would talk to your contractors about putting a French linear drain in the driveway about 20 feet from entry, so that you are not tracking in mud and water all the time. Or maybe a full width flagstone terrace and a half height boxwood hedge?
DS6 VAN thanked Ellen Hatch
Carolina
3 years ago
Maybe it's easier to change the driveway so it goes to the 'front' side and not to the back?
DS6 VAN thanked Carolina
Umi Sinha
3 years ago
So the back of the house facing onto the drive is the one we can see in the photo and the front is round the other side? So how do you currently access the front door from the drive? Do you have to walk around the house on the lawn? Seems odd. Sorry if I'm being thick - it's a bit confusing. Also, it looks like long and circuitous route to the sitting room from the back, which might be a bit disorientating for visitors. The current layout looks more logical - entrance hall leading to sitting room, but I suppose it would free up the current large entrance hall as another reception/playroom - if you need another room.
Jonathan
3 years ago
Lots of older houses had more than one driveway and when roads were changed some of them fell out of use. So it’s not unheard of to have to reorientate the house.

The trick is ensuring that you have an entrance that is big and grand enough to be in character with the main house.

So the easiest choice might be to divert the driveway.

If it is not possible you might want to reconsider the plan you have as by building the study in the planned position you have to have the entrance in an area with lower ceiling. The solution will be to move the entrance
DS6 VAN thanked Jonathan
PRO
KVIST architecture & design
3 years ago
Morning!

What a great house! Older properties were often added to over time, and sometimes the most beautiful entrance wasn't at the front, as the more attractive aspect was through a manicured garden...equally you would have the day to day access (which we tend to use more these days), and the fancy imposing entrance reserved for special occasions....confusing! In short, I think you should design it to be sympathetic to the architecture and history, but to suit your needs. We use multiple cars and park outside our front doors because carry our own shopping, the Victorians didn't!

I think you need to consider the elevations as much as the internal plans, and develop a design in 3D to really understand the benefits you get from various options. I would be delighted to help if you want some professional expertise from both an Architectural and Interior Design perspective.

Would you like a half hour initial interior design consultation for some friendly one-to-one advice? We have a couple of slots each week for £125+vat.

The consultation includes a friendly video chat to talk through your space and discuss your project ideas and needs. I follow up the video call with digital moodboards for a room or specific aspect like your exterior view tailored to your budget, plus a layout suggestion. I also give you a call to catch up!

All the best, Christine
E D
3 years ago
I‘m pretty sure this is a forum for (free) advice and is certainly not meant for advertising, KVIST.
PRO
KVIST architecture & design
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I only meant to offer of some friendly support if desired in addition to my personal thoughts.

Often people think they can only approach architects for a full blown design fee which is a shame as we love to help -so thought it would be worth mentioning. Honestly intended!

Christine

Advice please- turning the back of our house into the front

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Advice please- turning the back of our house into the front

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