Undercliff Road, Kendal: Comprehensive Residential Extension and Renovation
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Client: Private Homeowner
Location: Undercliff Road, Kendal, Cumbria
Project Type: Residential Extension and Internal Renovation – Design and Planning
Duration: November 2021 to March 2022
Services Provided: Design and Planning Approval
CLIENT CHALLENGE
The client, a remote worker with a stunning view of Kendal from their spare bedroom, was keen to optimize their home for both functionality and enjoyment. They wanted to expand the usable space by creating a dedicated home office with expansive views, improving the outdoor living experience with multi-level balconies, and addressing existing inefficiencies such as the hidden entrance and cold drafts. Additionally, they sought to increase guest accommodation by adding a new bedroom and improve the internal flow of the house, especially around the laundry area.
They brought these concerns and challenges to Architectural Assistance, requesting innovative solutions that would enhance their home's livability and aesthetic appeal.
OUR APPROACH
The client had a clear set of problems but left the solutions to our expertise. Our design process began with thorough discussions to identify the root of each issue, allowing us to offer multiple options for how to solve them. The final proposal was an evolving collaboration between our design input and the client’s feedback.
Design Philosophy:
The house is a bungalow situated on a slope, which posed both challenges and opportunities. The existing facade lacked articulation, and the entrance was obscured, creating an opportunity to re-imagine the home's external appearance. We designed three extensions—the office, the dormer, and the entrance porch—that not only addressed the client’s functional needs but also enhanced the home’s visual coherence. The green-stained timber framing ties together the office extension, porch, and dormer, while a stone plinth provides a visual link to the existing stone features.
TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS
The project’s focal point was the stacked two-storey balconies. The lower balcony, designed as a raised deck with a timber-framed undercroft for kayak storage, provided structural stability and aesthetic continuity. The timber-stained green undercroft visually ties the balconies to the office extension, porch, and dormer. The upper balcony is supported by columns springing from the lower balcony, ensuring structural integrity while maximizing the stunning views from both levels.
The office extension incorporates a stone plinth on the lower half and a timber-framed upper section, which seamlessly ties into the home’s roofline. Two skylights over the office increase natural light, while a pitched roof ties the office into the home’s overall structure.
For the internal renovation, moving the staircase allowed for a more open corridor, improving flow and enabling the addition of a utility room inside the home, eliminating the need to walk out to a shed for laundry.
DESIGN AND EXECUTION
Key Features:
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Office Extension: A timber-framed upper structure with a stone plinth, designed to give the client a dedicated workspace with uninterrupted views.
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Stacked Balconies: The ground floor balcony serves as a deck with storage below, while the upper balcony provides an outdoor space connected to the newly created master bedroom.
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Porch: The new entrance porch improves both the visual prominence and functionality, blocking drafts and offering a clearer entry point.
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Internal Reconfiguration: Moving the staircase enabled the formation of a utility room inside the house.
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Raising the Roofline: A raised ridge on one side of the house allowed for a third first-floor bedroom and ensuite, as well as better headroom and natural light for the existing spaces.
BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS
The client was environmentally conscious and keen to enhance the site's biodiversity. A biodiversity statement was created to ensure that the project resulted in a net gain for local wildlife. The following measures were incorporated:
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Reinstallation of bird boxes after the works were completed.
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Addition of bee houses for local masonry bees.
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Installation of bat boxes to provide habitats for foraging bats.
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A second hedgehog house was added to complement the one already installed.
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A fountain was designed to be hedgehog-friendly, with safe exit routes for wildlife.
These additions ensured that the site, located near important ecological areas, would continue to support a diverse range of species.
THE OUTCOME
While the project has only reached the planning approval stage, the comprehensive design solution promises significant benefits once built. The office extension will provide a much-needed dedicated workspace, while the multi-level balconies will enhance outdoor living. The internal reconfiguration will vastly improve the home’s functionality, providing better access, improved natural lighting, and a more efficient flow between spaces.