Quadrant Building Control

For this project our client required a lot more space for their family's growing needs. They specifically wanted to convert their loft into a master suite and open up the ground floor for better flow. They approached us during the purchase process which allowed us to start the design journey with them from the very beginning, creating a new lease of life for the property, tailored made for them.

# Brief
Converting the loft allowed for a really great master bedroom space. This needed to include a separate bathroom space as well as making the most of the front gable for a fantastic dressing area. Also important to the client was reconfiguring the first floor to include ensuite bathrooms for each of the bedrooms, extending and adjusting the ground floor for a generous open plan kitchen and living space. All in all, our brief was to create loads more space in this family home. Its not often you get asked to make a Tardis! 

# Concept
![GUGLIELMI CONCEPT 15](//images.ctfassets.net/m89aihghrib4/7JX9VR4iSZ53s2wVYvSFHB/5cf1e7f60e54b6b2aedba61490618a27/GUGLIELMI_CONCEPT_15.jpg)

On the ground floor we removed the garage allowing for much more natural light into the formal dining room. This room still opens out to the back through connecting doors to a large kitchen space with pantry and side access, providing great flexibility as needs change. With good planning, we proposed rebuilding the store for a more useable utility/laundry space with side access to that all important outdoor hanging space. 

A fantastic sliding glass door rear elevation gave a lovely connection to the garden and some well placed roof lights brightened up the floor plan perfectly. Externally, we married a material palette that complements the age of the property but with a more modern aesthetic suited to our client's taste.
![J000291 68.jpg 67.jpg 68](//images.ctfassets.net/m89aihghrib4/4ALuUDE7lpCnt0FyaYej8s/90bf16063f6745d5e6a5f1268a170c74/J000291_68.jpg_67.jpg_68.jpg)
Ground Floor Plan

![J000291 69](//images.ctfassets.net/m89aihghrib4/3mfBuRDdIMwJ6HzRxadHfn/c5d0fdc5ed9574a22c898003f7c130a4/J000291_69.jpg)
First Floor Plan

![J000291 70](//images.ctfassets.net/m89aihghrib4/5uEBJNwlta46ibcdWG6W1P/e9ca95d0cd882abcb0ad5b966f5fde7c/J000291_70.jpg)
Second Floor Plan

# Challenges
Like any project, our team had to keep our client's budget in mind throughout. This can sometimes pose a challenge, but ensuring we balance the brief carefully means we manage expectations and the project moves forward even when construction costs escalate. One key element that posed a challenge was the limited head room in the new loft, which meant we had to propose lowering the ceiling across the whole first floor. This was only possible because of the generous head height in the existing so we were able to design this in effectively and hit the brief successfully.

Guglielmi, Epping Exterior

Guglielmi, Epping Interior

J000291 68.jpg 67.jpg 68

J000291 70

J000291 69

Epping

A prominent corner plot is the location of this beautiful family home. A more traditional house required a substantial extension for more bedrooms and living space. Important elements for our client were natural light for their art collection, a gorgeous kitchen and entertaining space and a knock out master bedroom suite. We delivered this and more!

# Brief
Our client needed additional bedroom space for a more generous master bedroom with great connection to the mature garden to the rear. It was also key to provide a more open fluid layout with a living kitchen space for everyday use. It was important to find two work from home offices with enjoyable views to the rear. Sustainability within the design was a concern for our client and the simplest way to achieve this was to retain as much of the existing as possible without needlessly demolishing parts of the original property.

![Regnier Wilson Sketches](//images.ctfassets.net/m89aihghrib4/5q9X7QUM6nVMSjnD9sJuKP/885b8fd29c1e65f162541aaa1edc9685/MRW_CONCEPT.jpg)

# Concept
With some sensible interventions we were able to create all of the above with a contrasting modern extension. A series of simple forms tucked around the existing property were broken with a clear delineating glass link. The front elevation allows for a two storey side extension that follows the traditional domestic scale gable form, whilst at the rear a single storey extension captures sufficient space for the new ground floor additions. The material palette was chosen to provide a contrast where the new stood apart from the old with dark timber cladding.

![Ground Floor Plan Regnier-Wilson](//images.ctfassets.net/m89aihghrib4/4JTSnhbAsXCuCdYfwSR5wj/9fda99b739410e3dc9477911e4e6ebbc/J000270_GF.jpg) Ground Floor Plan
![First Floor Plan Regnier-Wilson](//images.ctfassets.net/m89aihghrib4/6Ljcp11Pa4uQhbSKwXQJTm/a19fbf77b1fb660e8fcf1cf7656e8835/J000270_FF.jpg) First Floor Plan

# Challenges
The largest challenge to this project was the planning process due to some interesting local parameters. Engaging a tree specialist early on allowed for decisions to be made about the retention of some key trees and the best method of protection. The rear boundary was also a Grade II Listed brick wall that needed to be clearly protected which formed part of the submission process. As such a pre-application meeting with the local authority yielded valuable feedback to engage on these subjects and ensure that we had responded suitably to each matter prior to an application.

Regnier-Wilson Front View

Regnier-Wilson Rear Garden View

Regnier-Wilson Kitchen

Regnier-Wilson Bedroom

First Floor Plan Regnier-Wilson

Ground Floor Plan Regnier-Wilson

Westlands

Quadrant have offices across the country covering England and Wales. They provide expert advice and a high standard Building Control service that never compromises on safety. Method Studio have worked with Quadrant on various and diverse projects over the years and have always found them to be very easy to work with.