Project Type
Side-Return Extension
Duration
12 weeks
Project Value
£75,000
The Challenge
The side-return passage ran along the party boundary with the neighbouring house. A party wall award was required and the neighbour expressed initial concern about the glazed roof reducing light into their garden. The structural glazed roof required a steel frame at high level to carry loads to the existing rear wall and party boundary wall without a traditional ridge beam.
Our Solution
We engaged a structural engineer who designed a portal frame of three fabricated steel sections, sitting on two concealed steel posts at the party boundary and connecting to the existing rear wall. The glazed roof used a low-profile aluminium framing system sitting between the steel sections. The party wall surveyor produced an agreed award that included a reflective ceiling finish to redirect light into the neighbour's garden. The neighbour signed the award within 3 weeks.
Results
- ✓Party wall award agreed in 3 weeks — neighbour concern resolved
- ✓Camden planning approval in 7 weeks
- ✓14m² added to kitchen footprint
- ✓Structural glazed roof — 8.4m² of overhead glazing
- ✓New bespoke kitchen island utilising additional space
- ✓Bi-fold link doors between original kitchen and extension
- ✓Estimated property value uplift: £85,000
Key Features
- ✓Side-return infill — maximises ground floor footprint
- ✓Structural glazed roof with concealed steel portal frame
- ✓Party wall award managed end-to-end
- ✓Bespoke kitchen island in the new space
- ✓Underfloor heating to extension footprint
- ✓New bi-fold internal doors to maintain sight lines
Specification
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Steel frame | Fabricated steel portal frame, three-piece, hot-dip galvanised, concealed in finished ceiling |
| Glazed roof | Ultrasky aluminium-framed structural roof, low-profile, self-cleaning glass |
| Extension walls | London stock brick to party boundary; insulated render finish to garden face |
| Kitchen island | Bespoke painted island, oak block worktop section, Quartz to preparation section |
| UFH | Warmup wet screed underfloor system, extension only, thermostat zone |
| Internal doors | Aluminium slim-profile bi-fold doors, RAL 9005, between kitchen and extension |
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