Issue 46 April 25 web - Flipbook - Page 114
bright; and bedrooms calm (even with teenage occupants) due to clever use of storage.
Perhaps best summed up by a comment from passerby:
“I really hope you don't mind me knocking on your door
uninvited, but I really wanted to congratulate you- I walk
past everyday with my dog, and it makes me feel happy!”
Abigail Squire, Client
This theme reaches into a considered garden built around
an old apple tree with space for family BBQs, a pond
supporting local wildlife and room for pet rabbits and a
veggie patch. I am proud that much of the transformation
re-uses materials - kitchen units, sanitary ware, flooring.
There are also so many little attentions to detail that make
a difference to everyday life - built in storage includes
space for plugging in appliances and hiding cords, lighting
comes on within cupboards when you open them, sliding
doors create different spaces in one space.
The building is innovative. The design for heating means
we can be ambitious around energy conservation. Use of
modern cladding design is a feature that has energised the
70s house.
It is decorative and strong and helps the house stand
proud in its new casing. The continuation of cladding to
outdoor decking and furniture holds the story of the new
design from inside to outside. And design innovations
have also cleverly worked with what was there - not
extending, spending relatively little given the size of the
house, enhancing and working with the original 1970s
personality. It has respected its lived-past but also
enhanced, interested and modernised aspects of the
house and garden to then prepare it for its ongoing life as
a home.
An architectural work that is beautiful, functional,
innovative and proud of its roots.
All images courtesy of www.siobhandoran.com. Many thanks to Siobhan
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