Build It ‘Extensions Ideas for Adding Value’ article

Build It magazine invited Darren to share his expert advice on how to add value to your property by introducing an extension. The full article looks at how with the right design, a well-designed extension can significantly enhance a property, adding value and improving functionality.

Holly Cottage is featured as one of the showcase projects within the editorial, highlighting how including future proofing into a design can add long term benefits in terms of value.

 

Here we share the ‘Expert Q&A‘ with Darren, to read the full article the magazine is available to buy now.

How can a homeowner determine which type of extension might add the most value to their property?

It is impossible to give a ‘one size fits all’ answer for this question, as each property is different and owners requirements vary so much. When we are working on projects we look at a mix of factors, including the existing property layout, the loft space, external space and the potential for extending, to design a cost-effective solution which will add value in terms of the owner’s lifestyle needs and the monetary value of the property.

The most cost-effective way to extend your home is by altering what is already built, for example converting the space your loft tends to be cheaper than adding an extension in terms of cost per sqm, and reconfiguring an existing layout can often unlock the space you need without having to extend and lose precious outdoor space, example Cedarwood project.

How can clients balance functionality with value-adding potential?

This depends on the purpose for the changes. If you are wanting to make changes to a property to live in long term, then we would suggest that it is better to focus on adapting the house to improve your specific lifestyle requirements, creating a more positive living space to enjoy being in, rather than just focusing on adding value.

However, if you are thinking of making changes in order to sell in the near future, then we would recommend shifting the focus to look at adaptations which will have the most impact on the property value. The key areas to look at in terms of resell tend to include, creating a spacious kitchen with space to entertain in, adding an additional bedroom and completing a thermal upgrade by looking at glazing and insulation levels to create a home with a lower running cost.

 

Can the quality of design and materials affect the value?

Good quality materials, fixtures and fittings can have a considerable positive impact on the long-term value of a property, as these should last longer, reducing the need for frequent repairs and maintenance, and will ensure the look and the functionality is maintained.

Are there any ‘hidden’ value boosters homeowners should consider?

Increasing natural daylight into a property can have a hugely positive impact to the feel of a space, and also reduces the constant need for artificial light and heating. It is possible to increase the opening sizes of existing windows to totally transform a room, creating a contemporary feel with higher levels of daylight, matched with improved thermal properties. If physically extending it is worth considering the placement of new glazing, skylights are a great way to draw light into a home throughout the seasons, example Holly Cottage contemporary extension.

We also recommend that the existing layout of a property is interrogated, with clever design it can be possible to maximise the potential of the internal space available, to create the space owners need without having to physically extend.

 

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you with your next extension project.

Planning success

We are pleased to have secured planning for a new Girl Guides Hall for the Portswood area of Southampton, Hampshire. Our sensitive design will create a new hub for the local Guides Association, to enable them to promote outdoor based actives for young people in the city, on the site of a previously demolished hall.

We now look forward to working with the client to secure funding and deliver this wonderful building in the heart of the City, you can read full details about the project here.

RIBA MacEwen Award longlisted

We are so proud to have our St Lukes project included in this years longlist for the RIBA MacEwen Award, the annual awards that recognise architecture for the common good.

The project has redevelopment the tired church hall to create The Host Café, a community cafe and multi-functional space which has become a vibrant local focal point, hosting events throughout the day and evening.

In total 30 projects have been longlisted in the MacEwen Awards, you can see the full list here, the shortlist will be annouced in early 2025.

 

Celebrating Six Years

In celebration of our six years in business, and as a reflection of how the business has evolved, we have written and published a new practice profile which we launched last week at an evening with clients, collaborators and friends.

We set up Studio BAD to deliver architecture without ego, to use our design skills as a vehicle of positive change. The idea of re-use has always been central to our ethos, in an era where climate change defines our lives it is important to us to reduce unnecessary waste and promote low energy solutions as much as possible.

Whilst these points are still core to the business, the business has evolved since it was originally established. Recently we took some time out to reflect on how the business has developed over these last six years to review what we, as a design collective stands,  now stand for. This work uncovered what we see as six essential aspects, which we think of as our Design Commitment:

  • To Listen
  • To Reflect
  • To Understand
  • To Imagine
  • To Act
  • To Realise

You can read more about our Design Commitment here, or get in touch to request a practice profile.

Our Design Commitment

Studio BAD are celebrating our sixth year in business, over this time the business has evolved and what we, as a design collective, stand for has adapted. We are enormously proud of what we have achieved over this time, the projects we have worked on and the clients we collaborate with.

As part of this reflection we took a moment to analysis and redefine what Studio BAD stands for, uncovering six essential aspects of our design practice. These six strands are so important to us we felt wanted to announce them publicly, as our design commitment.

 

To Imagine; At the heart of our work is the idea of reimaging spaces and places, to create design rich sustainable concept.

‘A significant part of our imagination is empathy – the capacity to imagine how different situations are encountered experientially by others.’ Juhani Pallasmaa ‘Rootednes’ Wiley (2024)

 

To Listen (Deeply); We listen to understand, by understanding we know what the next step needs to be to unlock the potential of the site. By taking the time to listen deeply, given us the opportunity to really understand the needs for the space before we embark on any designing.

‘The aspects of things that are most important for us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity.’ Steven Holl. Wittgenstein. L. Cited in ‘Anchoring’ Princetown Architectural Press. (1989)

 

To Reflect; It is important during the design process to take a moment to reflect on the design, the site and materials, to ensure the finished project which amplifies the unique sense of place.

‘Architecture is about generating these joint imaginings of what could be…It is not necessary that all the people involved have the same imaginings all the time, but the basic elements of the concept need to be shared by all the people sharing the projects.’ Arne Carlsen, Stewart Clegg, Reidar Gjersvik. ‘Idea Work’ Cappelen Damm Akademisk. (2014)

 

To Understand; It is paramount to a successful design to really understand the needs of the client, the opportunities of the site and the surroundings.

‘So, without further ado, I put the question to him: “What is wisdom?” Dudley greets my query with a faintly startled look that recedes into a quizzical expression I have not seen before. “It’s in these places’ he says. “Wisdom sits in places”. Keith H. Basso. ‘Wisdom Sits in Places’ University of Mexico Press. (1996)

 

To Act; Architecture, when done well, can be used to create positive change, a type of alchemy to that can be a powerful and positive tool.

‘The design process is based on a constant interplay of feeling and reason. The feelings, preferences, longings, and desires that emerge, demand to be given a form that must be controlled by critical powers of reasoning, but it is our feelings that tell us whether abstract considerations really ring true.’ Peter Zumthor. ‘Thinking Architecture’ Birkhauser. (2006)

 

To Realise; With our process we create designs that take ideas and make them real, tangible solutions.

‘From Wonder must come realisation, because in your making you have gone through every law of nature. It is part of you. In the intuitive are recorded all the great steps of making in which momentous decisions were made.’ John Lobell ‘Between the Silence and the Light – Spirit in the Architecture of Louis I. Kahn.’ Shambala (2008)

 

Contemporary extensions within a conservation area

Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine asked Darren to share his expert opinion to answer a key question they had been asked by many of their readers; can you have a contemporary extension to my house within a conservation area? You can find the article appeared in the December edition of the magazine, or read it here.

Generally speaking, yes you can. Having a home located in a conservation area does not mean you have to be stuck in the past with the architecture of any additions to the scheme but you do have to be mindful of the design, with what you are trying to achieve and your material choices.

Each conservation area is different, and it is always worth working with an architectural practice who have a proven track record in your specific conservation area. When we recently extended and sustainably upgraded an existing home (Cedarwood) which was set within a conservation area within the South Downs National Park, we were able extend the ground floor and add a striking, contemporary loft extension to the original Colt timber framed house.

We found that working in collaboration with a planning consultant and the local planning department meant we were able to have an open and constructive dialogue from the start of the design process, on this project we found the planning officers were keen for the extension to have a distinctly different architectural language from the original. A key concern for this property was the potential overlooking issues  with the loft extension, our solution was to set the dormers at an unusual angle, creating a striking design which successfully has minimised the concerns.

When looking to extend your project within a conservation area we would suggest looking at commissioning a heritage statement / document, that addresses the scheme and working closely with the conservation officer from the onset, and working with an architect with a track record of working within your specific conservation area.

If you have any further questions or have a project you would like to discuss, do get in touch with the team today.