Staple House

The original Victorian house had been recently refurbished and was in good order, but it was constrained by an outdated rear conservatory and by the proportions of its period rooms. The clients wanted one large multi-functioning family space, yet every conventional way of extending the house had already been used. The answer was to go under the garden.

The new basement opens to the upper ground floor through a generous lightwell, drawing daylight deep into the lower level. This double-height void becomes the focal point of the interior, surrounded by dining, kitchen and living areas. A change in level between the dining area and the kitchen creates a split section, allowing still more light to filter through.

In place of the old conservatory, a smaller extension steps back from the neighbouring boundaries to sit comfortably in the plot. The clients wanted low-maintenance outdoor space, so the new garden is laid out as a minimalist stone-paved courtyard. An external lightwell and large sections of glass floor are positioned to push natural light into the basement spaces below.

Project budget: GBP 635,000. Completion: 2016. Building levels: 3.

Designed by Paul Archer Design. Built by GMS Building Ltd, with Potter Raper as quantity surveyor. Photography by Andy Stagg.