Demolish and Rebuild?

Often I am asked about the feasibility of altering an existing extension to provide a more rational floor plan and facilities. In some cases I have to advise that the demolition and rebuilding of an extension is the most cost effective route to achieve the client's goals. Key factors that may have a bearing are:

  • Age of the existing extension and the method of construction. This may make it unsuitable or structurally expensive to alter. The existing fabric will not meet today's need to conserve energy in the home and therefore would require upgrading. 
  • The position of the extension in relation to the house may have been designed poorly resulting in a floor plan which does not provide the opportunity to  improve the linkage with the existing house and/ or improve the layout of the facilities.
  • Glazing. It may be because the client wishes to change the nature of the extension to a family room for instance with improved visibility to a garden that larger windows are necessary.This may require such structural alterations to the external wall to in effect merit demolition.
  • Design. It may not be possible to give the client the appearance they want using the existing envelop

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stair size

Another initial consideration is the size of stair you will need. Under current Building Standards if you are going to have more than one room served by the new stair then it needs a wider stair than that needed for a single room. Therefore this will have a greater impact on the existing rooms on the floor below. www.marchitectsltd.com
Read more

Protected Enclosures

The creation of a protected enclosure can be frustrating for the home owner as it will affect parts of the house otherwise unaffected by the works. It will involve the installation of fire doors and may involve upgrading of partitions forming the protected enclosure where these do not meet the minimum fire resistance requirements (normally 30minutes). Depending on the route the stair takes it may also require localised upgrading of ceilings to rooms below. www.marchitectsltd.com
Read more

Architect in the house 2012

We've joined Architect in the House 2012.  We give a free consultation to a homeowner in exchange for a donation to Shelter. Architect in the House is the annual charitable scheme that sees RIAS and RIBA architects giving homeowners an hour's free consultation in exchange for a donation to Shelter. Over the past 15 years, RIAS and RIBA architects have raised more than £1.2million for Shelter.  Please get behind the scheme again and support Shelter's vital work with families in housing need. www.marchitectsltd.com
Read more