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When faced with a home that feels dark and cramped, many of us would think that an extension is the solution. And while they can be a great addition to a home, they’re also expensive and require significant work, so if a solution can be found within the home’s existing footprint, it’s a great option.
This was the case with this Blackrock bungalow, which David Flynn Architects were approached to improve. David Flynn explains that while from the front it seemed like a standard bungalow, at the rear a semi-basement level added an interesting dimension, creating a raised patio from the ground floor level that overlooks the garden.
David was pleased that the design allowed them to not only preserve the home’s features, but improve how they are used. “The raised patio over the private garden was a wonderful aspect of the house, but was only accessed through a series of doors along a corridor, with no direct access from the main living spaces. We knew our design had to focus on improving this connection.”
This was done thanks to a large glazed screen, which extends along the full length of the open plan kitchen, living, and dining space, adding light and connecting the indoors and outdoors. “The aluminium doors slide away allowing the living spaces to spill out onto the extended and refurbished patio, making it easier to use on a day to day basis.”
To address the home’s poor BER rating, external insulation was added, which also gave the opportunity to modernise the home’s appearance from the outside. “A contemporary combination of white render and black charred timber cladding was selected,” David explains. “The concept was to design a monochrome structure nestled amidst lush greenery, evoking a serene, Japanese-inspired aesthetic. By recessing and projecting sections of the front façade, we created small seating areas and covered porches that play with light and shadow, adding visual interest.”
Internally, warm tones and neutral colours were chosen creating a calm, welcoming feeling, while dark kitchen units add a touch of contrast. The original flat ceilings were also raised to follow the profile of the roof, providing the chance to create a tall feature fireplace and chimney.
Overall, it’s a hugely successful project, showing how relatively simple changes can transform a space. “The finished spaces are filled with natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere,” David says. “With wide views of the garden on both sides of the main living spaces, you feel like you’re in a covered garden room that just spills outside when you open the doors. The rest of the house maintains this strong connection to the outdoors, with refurbished bedrooms opening directly onto the front patio, ensuring a continuous link to the garden and the natural environment.”