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How we obtain planning permission for an extension to a listed building

St Leonards, Exeter

The Brief:

  • The client requested a major ground-floor extension, replacing the conservatory and bay window, extending into the garden and creating an extended kitchen and living space

The Problem:

  • The property is a listed building within a unique style of buildings in the area.
    • Regency style architecture – spanning the first 30 years of the 19th century and showing a natural progression from the Georgian style that preceded it
  • There was a need to ensure that the new extension did not obstruct the light to the neighbours property

The Solutions:

  • The pictures below show a “butterfly roof” whereby the 2 sections of the roof (one slightly raised with a gap between them) allow light into the extension itself as well as not obstructing light to the neighbouring property.
  • Having a very positive relationship with the planning officers meant that collaboration and feedback from them was able to be taken into careful consideration and implemented in our design.
  • The extension is very contemporary and contrasts to the Regency style architecture surrounding it. This is key to the design as it allows us to tell a story of the time period through architecture.

Pictures of the final drawings:

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What are the benefits of using 3D scanning and point cloud integration in architectural work?

A point cloud is a set of data points in space. Point clouds are generally produced by 3D scanners, which measure a large number of points on the external surfaces of objects around them.

Living Space Architects have become one of the only architects in Exeter using this new technology.

Example of a point cloud of a model Stegosaurus

How does the 3D scanning work for buildings?

Using the ReCap Pro mobile app, the scanner streams the image and point cloud data to the iPad. The app filters and registers scan data in real time. After capture, ReCap Pro enables point cloud data transfer to a number of applications. The integration of BLK360 and Autodesk software dramatically streamlines the reality capture process.

Leica BLK360 Scanner in action

CLICK HERE – Point Cloud Video

 

What are the benefits of using this cutting edge technology?

  • It provides immediate 3D data for all our design drawings
  • It creates virtual reality images that we can immediately begin work on
  • The detail and accuracy of the images produced are second to none
  • The process of gathering information from the site is much easier and quicker

The results

By uploading the scans into Recap Pro, we can then create the existing 3D model. Here are some examples:

 

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Site visit to our Stoke Poges build

It’s always exciting to see a project that you have created coming together.

That’s exactly how we felt on our latest trip to Stoke Poges, to visit the site of our innovative new build with a contemporary design and similar feel to a German Huf Haus.

The greyness of the day didn’t attract from the immensity of the building as it has begun to take shape, complementing the plot with its innovative structure and creative design.

With the main structure built, and character of the interior being established, we are well on our way to completing the project in time for our May target.

So, what makes this project so unique? 

Even at first glance it is clear that this property doesn’t fall in line with convention. Its dramatic pitched roof, high ceilings, glass exterior and timber structure give it a different feel to the brick houses that Britain has grown so accustomed to. Its open-plan design and use of windows and glass allow it to capture sunlight and create a bright and modern place to live.

What inspired the design?

Our client came to us with a brief of creating a house with a similar feel to the award-winning German Huf Haus design. Big open spaces and natural light appealed to them, however they wanted the house to have a little more privacy and a more ‘homely’ feel than the original German design. We therefore designed a house with some Huf Haus characteristics, such as the pitched roof, high ceiling, terraces and large glass windows to capture natural light, while maintaining some more British features of a home and tailoring the property to suit our clients preferences, such as supplementing a brick wall on the outside ground floor.

What other features does the house have?

We decided to use innovative construction for the new building, settling on Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) from Kingspan TEK. These are made of wood, but their invisible structure gave us freedom with the interior design. Furthermore, their prefabrication meant that construction time was less and there was limited on-site waste. The panels also have high energy efficiency, allowing for a thinner construction than usual insulation.

What comes next?

Although our Stoke Poges build has begun to take shape and acquire character, there are still things to be done before our May deadline. Currently, underfloor heating and electrics are being fitted and then decorating and finishes for the property will commence. We can’t wait to follow the progress of this contemporary and modern design, and are looking forward to seeing the finished product!

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Our January Newsletter

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Living Space Architects awarded Best of Houzz 2018 award

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Big things expected from Living Space Architects after completing ‘BIM’ training

This week, two of our architects attended a three day ‘Building Information Modelling’ (BIM) training session in Bristol, equipping them with the insight and tools to more efficiently design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure.

BIM is an intelligent 3D model-based process that uses innovative software to better quantify data and manage information and costs for elements of the build. It is often used by large firms, as it increases the ability to deal with larger scale builds. It also allows architects to make more informed design decisions, build more efficiently and cost-effectively, and maintain buildings with greater ease.

A rising number of government and commercial organisations are making the use of BIM mandatory, and with increased work with local authorities and larger scale projects, Living Space Architects were pleased to be able to participate in the training.

“BIM training allows a firm to develop from a micro-practice and take on larger-scale projects” said Stuart Bayley, Director of Living Space Architects. “With the training, we can continue to step up and achieve the scope of our ambition.”

BIM is managed by Autodesk, which claims that the software not only allows businesses to operate more productively, but also produce higher-quality work, attracting new talent and winning new business. The benefits of the software are evident throughout the project building lifecycle, from enabling better design decisions, to accommodating efficient building and  guaranteeing predictable managing costs.

“We had a great grounding in all of the software functions which will enable us to get modelling our schemes from an early stage” said Living Space architect Kate Sammons, who attended the training. “It allows us to gradually build up the levels of detail and building information until we have a really intelligent model.”

With this competitive edge, Living Space Architects is looking forward to realising its creative visions using these innovative technological solutions and fulfilling its promising potential

“The training was excellent” Stuart commented. “It was very detailed but also quite interactive. We’ve come away with the feeling that we can take it on and get stuck in!”

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Design Award from Devon Historic Buildings Trust

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