Resubmitting planning - Thoughtful extensions to a modern-style home

We first designed a series of extensions to make this modern-style house more suitable to the family that lives there almost a year ago. These designs have now been redone based on feedback we recieved from the first application, and we are optimistic that our new and improved designs will successfully recieve permission.

Perspective sketch of the proposed front extension

At the front of the house, the kitchen is expanded with a single-storey extension. This also creates the oppurtunity for a new porch in front of the existing front door. This part of the design uses a textured cement fibre cladding as it's unique appearance, durability, and sound-proofing make it best suited to the road-facing side of the house.

Perspective sketch of the rear extension

At the rear of the house, our design takes an underused section of the garden and turns it into a new orangerie, greatly increasing the living space of the house and creating a valuable room for a plant-loving family. This also allows us to expand the space above, turning the previous plant room into a new bathroom and hall with wide views of the back garden. Additionally, the parapet walls around the garage roof are raised, creating a more usable terrace.

Proposed plans, with new extensions shown in orange

We look forward to hearing the results of our newest application and will be sure to update the blog as things develop. In the meantime, you can view our other residential projects or find out more about this design.

Finished Project - Improving a Bristol home through sustainable features

Today we'll be revisiting a project from 2021, as we've recently recieved some brilliant photos of the finished result from the client. In this project, we reorganised a bungalow, and the site as a whole, to provide a series of thoughtful, well designed spaces to meet the changing needs of the client and improve the appearance of the house.

Thoughtful redesign

The biggest development was the new courtyard located in an under-utilised area south of the house. We repurposed this space to provide our client with new bicycle parking, recycling storage and an electric vehicle charging port.

Originally, the entrance to the house was through a narrow side alley, and only the garage was accessible via the front. We elected to bring the entrance to the front of the house, giving it a stylish contemporary facade made of timber with fibre cement cladding panels. The front garden was then redone in a permeable finish to create a new parking space surrounded by a series of flowerbeds.

Improving sustainability

A number of sustainable features were also introduced, including an air source heat pump and solar panels. Combined with the carefully considered airtightness and insulation of the new extensions, these developments will improve the energy efficiency of the house thereby saving the client money on their gas and electricity bills.

We offer a sustainability assessment service as part of all of out design projects - this allows us find our clients the most efficient, cost-effective energy-saving solutions for their project. If you're looking for a way to save energy in your home or extension project, please get in touch today to see how we can help.

The cosy finished interior

You can read more about this project here, or explore all of our projects here.

#architecture #sustainability #extension #project

Heat Pumps

As architects, we have a responsibility to design buildings that are sustainable, energy-efficient, and kind to the environment. One way to achieve this is through the use of heat pumps.

In this blog post, we will explore what heat pumps are, how they work, and why they are a great choice for sustainable design in the Bristol and South West area.

What are Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps are a renewable energy technology that can be used to heat and cool buildings. They work by extracting heat from the air or ground and transferring it to the building's heating system. This process is highly efficient and can provide up to four units of heat for every one unit of electricity used.

How do Heat Pumps Work?

There are two main types of heat pumps: air source and ground source. Air source heat pumps extract heat from the air outside the building, while ground source heat pumps extract heat from the ground beneath the building.

Both types of heat pumps use a similar process to extract heat. The heat pump absorbs heat from the air or ground and transfers it to a refrigerant fluid. The fluid is then compressed, which increases its temperature. The hot refrigerant is then used to heat water, which is circulated around the building's heating system. During summer, the process can be reversed, and the heat pump can provide cooling

.

Why are Heat Pumps a Great Choice for Sustainable Design?

There are many reasons why heat pumps are a great choice for sustainable design:

• Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps are highly energy-efficient and can provide up to four units of heat for every one unit of electricity used. This means that they are much more efficient than traditional heating systems, such as boilers.

• Renewable Energy: Heat pumps are a renewable energy technology and can help to reduce your carbon footprint. They do not rely on fossil fuels and can provide heating and cooling without producing any greenhouse gas emissions.

• Cost-Effective: Although the initial cost of installing a heat pump can be high, they are generally more cost-effective than traditional heating systems in the long run as heat pumps are highly efficient which will overall reduce energy costs.

• Self-Build: Heat pumps are a great choice for self-build projects. They can be easily integrated into the design of a new build and can help to achieve high levels of energy efficiency.

Heat Pumps in the Bristol and South West Area

The Bristol and South West area is a great location for heat pumps. The region has a mild climate, which makes air source heat pumps particularly effective. Ground source heat pumps can also be a good option, as the ground temperature is relatively constant throughout the year although there are further considerations with ground source heat pumps such as excavating a suitable sized area to lay the pipework.

If you are considering a heat pump for your project in the Bristol and South West area, it is important to choose a reputable supplier who has experience installing heat pumps in the region. They will be able to advise you on the most appropriate type of heat pump for your project and ensure that it is installed correctly.

Heat pumps are a great choice for sustainable design in the Bristol and South West area. They are highly energy-efficient, renewable, cost-effective, and can be easily integrated into self-build projects.