Extensions – How to Add Value: Build It Magazine
Plan a successful scheme that makes the most of your time, effort and money, says Rebecca Foster. Read below some extracts from our designer Teodora Iancu, or click here to read the full article.
“The most effective way to approach an extension is to consider the planning constraints and work backwards from there. We conduct a visibility test to understand the maximum volume we can add to the house,” says Teodora Iancu, a designer at Scenario Architecture. “Once we consolidate the size of the extension, we deep dive into the owner’s needs and how the addition is going to serve them.”
Similarly to when you size up the extension, less can sometimes be more. “Our approach is to map out where the sun rises and sets in relation to the house, identifying which interior areas are naturally well lit at each point in the day,” says Teodora. “This guides our interior design, as we place each activity in the house to harness the natural daylight and functionality of the glazing.” Remember, the southern facade of the house will receive the most sunlight, so design your extension with this in mind.”
“It’s likely that your extension is a once in a lifetime investment, so it’s worth building with excellent quality and ethically sourced materials that’ll perform for years to come,” says Teodora. When planning your budget, prioritise structural and external products that are more difficult to update later. “Internal features like joinery can always be upgraded, but once the materials have been built in, it’s much more difficult to change your mind about them,” says Teodora.
