Design for life

Homeowners are continuing to invest and maximise property potential, with extensions more popular than ever

Englefield Road, £5,000,000

London continues to be a brilliant place to invest, so it is perhaps not surprising that many are choosing to maximise the potential of their property and add value with a luxe extension or basement excavation.

Tim O’Callaghan, Director and Co-founder of NimTim Architects explains, “We work closely with homeowners to find bespoke ways to unlock space and improve the everyday experience of living in their homes. The extensions we design focus on providing more light, larger spaces for daily life and better connections to the garden.”

Nowadays, people are choosing extra space that is well defined and has scope to be multi-purpose. James Bernard, Director at Plus Rooms says, “Many rooms now have to double up on their function and there is a trend for using internal glazing to separate areas. For many properties, this works well particularly on the ground floor and can create entertainment and relaxation spaces, as well as cooking and eating areas.”

The grand plan

When planning an extension, it is important to note that adding the correct amount of space is key. James advises, “Be mindful of the garden and make sure that a certain proportion is retained post extension. If possible, try to incorporate unused side areas into a side return. This will allow you to maximise your ground floor without affecting the view and feel of your garden.”

Homeowners are continuing to invest and maximise property potential

“To prevent excessive heating costs, it is important to get the right balance of structure and glass. Consider the direction your home faces, a lot of glass on a south facing property will create a greenhouse effect whereas a north facing house will have to be heated more if it has a large amount of glazing.”

Material matters

Many London homeowners want to incorporate interesting materials with an intelligent design to give their property the edge. James explains, “More and more people are going for burnt oak cladding and choosing asymmetric gable design.” NimTim Architects specialise in using natural products that have a low environmental impact and the results can be stunning as demonstrated by Cork House. The Victorian terrace house in London was given a modern loft conversion and rear extension and went on to be shortlisted for the A J Small Projects Award. Tim says, “We used cork externally and internally, a simple, inexpensive material that created a comfortable and unusual family home.”

Added value

For some, a basement excavation is the answer. Kevin O’Connor, Director at Cranbrook Basements says, “While it is technically challenging to obtain planning consent for a basement, it is not difficult for an experienced designer and, in most circumstances, consent will be forthcoming. We are seeing a continued trend of people transforming this space into state-of-the-art gyms, tranquil swimming pools, and luxury cinema rooms.”

Properties across the capital where additional rooms have been added through thoughtful design tend to achieve the highest values in both the sales and the rental markets. An extension to any home is not only life-enhancing but is also a very wise investment too. Architectural directory

Cranbrook

A family-owned design and construction company with unrivalled design skills enabling you to bring your home improvement ideas to life.

cranbrook.co.uk

Nimtim Architects

Well-known architects, landscape and interior designers who specialise in creating spaces that reflect the diverse personalities and values of their clients.

nimtim.co.uk

Plus Rooms

One of London's leading bespoke design and build companies, with over 15 years of experience in providing professional home extension advice.

plusrooms.co.uk