Projects - Residential - Tooting Bec The limited space available for new build developments, the increased cost of moving coupled with the need for more affordable housing for key public sector workers within commuting distance of London has given rise to an increase in the number of residential conversions in the UK property market in recent years.
This end of terrace Victorian house conversion in Chetwode Road, adjacent to Tooting Bec station, continues Alex Coleman Associates' long tradition of high quality house conversions. The clients are a semi-retired couple who are considering a change in lifestyle in the near future, possibly involving a move abroad, but who wish to retain an interest in the UK property lettings market. With this in mind, the practice has produced a scheme which splits the 4-bedroom house into two self-contained 2-bedroom flats of approximately equal floor areas. Both flats will be accessed via the existing front doorway at street level and therefore there will be no alterations made to the existing building façade. Within the entrance lobby, new front doors will allow access to both flats, Flat 1 utilising the lower three levels with Bedroom 2 reached via a new staircase located towards the rear of the property. Flat 2, accessed by the existing stair, utilises the upper two floors and the proposed loft conversion. Access to the loft will be via the creation of a new stair. The use of space has been carefully considered and maximised through space saving techniques such as the removal of redundant chimney breasts and the minimising of lobbies and corridor routes. A conservatory at the rear of the property is planned as part of a second phase of development.
As this is essentially an interior design project, there will
be only two modest alterations to the external fabric of the
building itself. The first will be the inclusion of the small
flat roof dormer to the rear of the property which will be
visible from the rear and also at certain angles from the side.
The inclusion of this dormer allows for an En-suite Bathroom
as part of the loft conversion. The second alteration is at
Lower Ground level and involves the removal of an existing
doorway to the side of the property. The doorway is an original
opening but has been disused since a downstairs wc was created
as a later alteration. It is proposed that a new Shower Room
should be created in this area with a new window put in at
high level for light and more importantly, ventilation. . |
|
 |
While detailed design will be considered as part of an application for Building Regulations approval at a later stage, it is intended that the scheme will allow all potential users, no matter what their disability, age, race or gender, to be able to enter the site, move around the area and enter the building and use the facilities. The spaces are logical and straightforward to use. The development provides adequate access for the emergency services and there are sufficient escape routes provided. The pavement to the front of the site provides adequate area for congregation and disabled refuge points in the event of an emergency. |
