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Living in living space

We are excited to announce that we have a new development at Living Space Architects. Our talented work force has increased by another member who will bring something extra to the team…you guessed it – interiors!

After 15 successful years of running LSA, our directors have decided to include interior design within the package we offer our wonderful clients. We have always had a passion for interiors, so employing a specialist and expanding into this world seemed like a natural step forward.

We hope to finish off our bespoke architecture with a bespoke interior, working with our clients to give them a space that truly suits their aspirations.

OUR INTERIORS  •      

Despite only recently appointing a designated interior designer, we have dabbled in interior design in the past, and we like to think we have done a pretty good job. Below are some details and inspiration from our recently-completed Southernhay extension project.

Location: Southernhay, Exeter

Building:  Grade II listed terrace townhouse

Proposal: A new first floor rear extension for domestic use

Interior Brief: The interior specifications asked for a urban, contemporary, soft, sleek space which would compliment the new extension. The space had to be homely as it would occupy 3 bedrooms, an open kitchen, a living room space and a few more exciting spaces.

Key Features: New aluminium-framed windows in existing extension | New single glazed timber sash windows | New roof terrace | New bin enclosure & cycle racks | New & adapted internal openings & partitions

INPSIRATION  •

URBAN | CONTEMPORARY | WOOD | SOFT | SCANDINAVIAN | SLEEK | CITY | RUSTIC | GEOMETRIC

THE FINISHED PRODUCT • 

Our photographs show snippets of Southernhay’s interior space. The inspiration images provided a good starting point for the design style, but it needed developing to ensure harmony within the building. The main staircase, which is primarily wooden, set the tone. From that, we decided to add more colour into the design – complimenting the wooden features but still showcasing the sleek, contemporary look.

GET THE LOOK •

Like this style? Below are our final key design components. The products are sourced from a range of suppliers, showcasing local independent shops and online brands.

• Sofa – Made.com £599

• Radio – Marley Speakers £179.99

• Bookcase – Cult Furniture £629

• Plant – BloomBox £18

• Leather Chair – Capital Dining Chairs £97

• Wooden Basket – Nkuku £59.95

• Champagne Glasses – Anthropologie £14

• Paint –  Farringdonball

• Throw – Zara £50

• Cushion – Lorna Ruby £39.95

• Lamp – The Forest & Co £93.60

• Print – Desinio

• Black Pendant – John Lewis £120

• Floor Lamp – Made.com £129 Cheaper Option Dunelm £75

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How to upgrade windows in historic buildings

Windows are often considered to be “The eyes of the building” and this phrase is even more true in the case of historical buildings. They create the character of the building and changing these when attempting to modernise historical buildings should be approached with care.

Historic windows

  • Throughout the early medieval period, the great majority of windows were unglazed.
  • In timber- framed buildings they were simple openings in the structural frame. Vertical wood or iron bars were inserted to keep out intruders.
  • Glass was extremely expensive and rare and was not considered a fixture.
  • Timber shutters were widely used for security, privacy and to reduce draughts. In England, they were often internal and either hinged or slid in runners.

Much of the plain glass and most, if not all, of the coloured glass used in England during the medieval period was imported from the continent and therefore prohibitively expensive for widespread domestic use. By the late medieval period and into the 17th century, windows became more sophisticated with wooden tracery, moulded mullions and deep projecting cills. As glass was no longer quite as expensive it started to be used for ordinary domestic buildings.

In historic buildings, windows, and the depths of their frames, give the elevation of the building it’s character.

Often windows in historical buildings are single glazed and a common way to retain heat in a historic building is to change the glazing of the building to double glazing. However, this often means changing the depth and width of the frame and thus impacting the charm of the building.

What are the alternatives to double glazing?

There are several manufacturers who provide alternatives to thick double glazing.

Pilkington Spacia consists of an outer pane of low-emissivity glass and an inner pane of clear float, with a vacuum rather than air or another gas in between. The result is better thermal performance from a unit only fractionally as thick as a standard one.

Slimlite units are constructed with a clear outer self cleaning pane with a selected cavity of 3mm to 10mm, the wider cavity increases the insulation, with selected cavity insulating inert gas, which only performs in smaller cavities, an inner pane of 3mm or 4mm Low Emissivity glass.The emissivity coating is on the inside face into the cavity and reflects the long wave radiation or heat back into the room. The warm edge technology perimeter spacer incorporated, ensures insignificant differential insulation value between edge and centre glass.

 

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