The British, like no one else in the world, are distinguished by conservatism and love for traditions, but the desire to renovate and modernize the living space is not alien to this nation.
The customers wished to increase the living space of their house, built in the 18th century. The house in the Gregorian style belongs to the buildings included in the Grade II list, which means a building of historical value.
It is clear that the facade of the house and the interior cannot be rebuilt. Designers and architects came up with a bold decision – to move away from traditional stereotyped solutions and create a modern extension from the side of the courtyard, which will organically merge into the existing architectural ensemble. The inner courtyard of the house is large, so in addition to the extension, a summer house was erected in the back of the courtyard.
Features of the modernization project
A modern kitchen-dining room and a cinema hall were added to the old building, a living room and a study also took part in the reconstruction. The traditional facade decoration made of bricks was immediately rejected, it was decided to create airy rooms from glass. Only a small part of the facade wall of the dining room-kitchen is finished with facing bricks in the color of the main building.
Doors in the attached premises are glass sliding doors to maximally unite the internal spaces with the garden. The kitchen is located on the upper level, and the cinema room is on the mezzanine level. Design tricks helped to get rid of the feeling of an underground room in the cinema hall, a glass front wall with a sliding door fills the room with light and volume, and a specially created descent makes the space free and one with the natural landscape.
A small summer house is a private area with a large glass area. From prying eyes, the interior rooms are hidden behind wooden facade slats, which perfectly let in sunlight.
The designers managed to combine the centuries, to integrate the 21st century extension into the architecture of the eighteenth century, while maintaining the overall architectural ensemble. Modern buildings do not look alien - they are already part of the history of this house.
