Number One Westhill
Client
Private ClientProject
Number One WesthillThe Brief
To create a contemporary addition to the original 1920's house, which would both function as and blur the lines between kitchen, dining and living spaces whilst taking advantage of the south facing garden. To improve the entrance of the house and also create a connection with the street outside, which the house previously felt isolated from. For this domestic project we were asked to create the architecture as well as the interior design, landscaping and specifying furniture and fittings.The Thinking
We created a seemless subdivision of the kitchen, dining and living areas largely through the uninterrupted, consistent height ceiling and a dividing wall between the kitchen and living space - which would be completely worth the major structural alterations it required as it very subtly ties each section of the new addition together. We brought light into the north facing aspect of the kitchen and created a relationship with the street the client wanted, we added a nine meter glass roof and wall to both flood the working area with natural light and extend the inside/outside relationship created by the glass walls in the living space. We replaced the previous detached garage, moving it further back to create a generous and modern entrance courtyard, recreating the original 1920's garage doors so that these front additions did not feel separate to the original house. When furnishing the living and dining area we specified pieces that sat low in the space, allowing as little interruption of the lines of sight into the garden as possible.The Result
A thoroughly contemporary and beautifully crafted 'new' home, which has completely transformed the way the family live in it. Acting as a beautiful, elegant and functional living, kitchen, dining and entertaining space. From the garden the new addition sits inexplicably comfortably with the original 1920's house, nestling under the shade of the established field maple.The Feedback
"...a home bursting with character and delight. Number One Westhill is an exemplary reworking of a suburban house, seamlessly integrated with a crisp modern extension.", RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). The house won a RIBA East Midlands Award 2017 and has been shortlisted for a PROCON award. The client say, "Day to day life in the house has improved ten fold thanks to the new space. We all particularly enjoy the connection with the garden throughout all the seasons, its a great space to entertain guests."
RIBA + Number One Westhill homeowner
