Grange Home

This one and a half storey villa in the Grange Conservation Area has been extended, renovated and thermally upgraded throughout.

The house’s previously congested centre has been opened up providing a clear view from front door to sunny back garden. A new elegantly curving oak stair leads to the first floor where the ceiling level has been raised and a full width dormer brings light to the ground floor, and views of the garden to the upper level. 

A zinc-clad extension housing kitchen, dining and living spaces as well as utility and pantry nestles into the back elevation, with low-pitched standing seam roofs. Triple-glazed windows and rooflights flood the space with light at all times of day and create a generous sense of space and connection to the garden.

The keen gardener owners have carefully retained many existing mature plants and trees, as well as adding new planting and stone retaining walls, creating a sunny paved terrace and a green haven beyond. 

The existing building and new extension have both been highly insulated, all existing windows double-glazed, and heating is powered by two air source heat pumps. The result is a warm, comfortable, spacious, and low-carbon home with a lovely relationship to its beautiful garden.

“Our vision for the transformation of our home, in need of significant upgrading to layout, energy performance and future-proofing for older age, was embraced enthusiastically by HLA. (In spite of difficult access to the rear of the house) we now have a comfortable living area with lots of natural light, beautiful views of and level access to the garden, and the hallway has been transformed into a bright and welcoming space with an elegant stairway to first floor rooms. Their attention to detail from design to project management was first class.”

Main contractor: Hutton & Read Ltd

Structural engineer: Elliott & Co