Our Stanstead Road project features in Grand Designs magazine

Grand Designs magazine recently featured our Stanstead Road project as an example of an inspiring renovation scheme.

The project, which involved the careful refurbishment and extension of a characterful Victorian house in Wanstead, was included in the publication’s Extend, Convert, Renovate! supplement. This informative guide was published alongside the November 2018 issue of the magazine.

Clear Architects’ design focused on restoring the property to its original character. As the house is situated in a Conservation Area, it was vital that any renovation work be sympathetic to its surroundings, respecting the period charm of the existing house.

Numerous eye-catching heritage details on the exterior of the house were restored, including the sash windows and the original brickwork. Inside, the layout of the house was reconfigured to provide a light-filled, flowing space that connects seamlessly to the new extension.

Interior period details were also reinstated as part of the project, including the striking tiled floor in the hallway. An original stained glass window was also incorporated as a standout design feature in the family bathroom. Other interior flourishes, such as the coving and skirting boards, were also restored as part of the scheme.

Our Ducketts Mead project features in Grand Designs magazine

Grand Designs magazine recently featured our Ducketts Mead project, a radical remodel and extension project designed by Clear Architects.

The case study-style article highlights how the rundown façade of this striking 1960s building was brought up to date.

Situated on a floodplain close to the River Stort, the bungalow sits on stilts. The dwelling was extended to establish a new kitchen-diner and the upstairs layout was reconfigured. A new photography studio was also added to the garden.

By re-jigging the layout of the upper storey, a new master bedroom, lounge and further sleeping quarters were created. This level now offers pleasant vistas across the green living roof that covers the new ground floor extension.

The new addition features a stone wall, which adds an attractive, textured design flourish to the structure. A glazed corner with an overhang provides another eye-catching architectural element.

Planning granted for Forest Rise in Loughton

We are delighted to be working with Clear Architects, who have now received planning consent to update a Victorian property in Forest Rise, Loughton. Set in a stunning position overlooking Epping Forest, the existing manor house has been poorly extended and the owners wish to completely modernise it.

The new design will provide a magnificent home and entertaining space that takes its ethos from the original Victorian architecture, but with cutting-edge contemporary additions that will enhance this home for a new generation.

The generous proportions of this contemporary design adds enormous light to the internal spaces, with an improved layout and natural flow. A new underground pavilion will house the swimming pool, with a distinctive design that is at one with the landscape and takes full advantage of the stunning aspect.

A new annex, which will replace the former stable block, will complete the transformation.

This is a very exciting project, with a design influenced by both period characteristics and some unusual architectural details to create a unique modern home.

Stanstead Road features in Property Price Advice article

This refurbishment project in Stanstead Road in Wanstead appears in an article on Property Price Advice, which considers ways to add value to period homes, in particular Victorian terraces.

The article explores the potential gains versus the cost of adding an extension, improving the internal layout and what permissions you may need.

The features goes on to examine internal features, which elements are worthwhile preserving and what should be replaced:

Click here to read the full article.

Hill Road to appear on Channel 4's Best Laid Plans

A new Channel 4 homes show – Best Laid Plans – is due to feature our Hill Road new build on 9 December.

The programme is hosted by architectural designer, Charlie Luxton, along with property developer Sophie Morgan, who help homeowners undertaking large-scale renovations to resolve their design dilemmas.

Hill Road, which was designed by Clear Architects, is used in the trailer for each episode and will feature in episode 8, to be aired on 9 December at 4:30pm.

Best Laid Plans was drawn to the Hill Road project because its internal layout encapsulates broken-plan living.

Its stunning kitchen, dining area and lounge are set on three levels to create different zones, but with an open-plan flow.

Planning consent achieved for Driftwood in Loughton

We are delighted to be working with Clear Architects, who have now received planning approval for the transformation of an existing house in Loughton, Essex. The project is titled: Driftwood.

The clients have lived in the existing property for many years and love the location and setting, and would now relish the opportunity to live in a truly unique modern abode that incorporates light innovatively to create an open space.

The overall re-modelling of the dwelling will alter its appearance to that of a statement property with cutting edge proportions.

By bringing plenty of sunshine into what is essentially quite a traditional and dark house, the design will establish better connectivity throughout the house – in the internal layouts themselves, but also by creating connections between the front and rear gardens, as well as blurring the distinctions between the internal and external spaces.

Hill Road - residential erase and replace - in Design Buy Build

Design Buy Build magazine has featured our Hill Road new build project in their latest edition.

The article focuses on the main design features of this residential erase and replace project, which emerged from a plot housing a 1950s bungalow.

The feature examines the flexible living space that has been created inside, which has become known as broken-plan living rather than the too informal open-plan living floorplan.

Click here to read the full article.

Planning permission granted for Wyvern House

We are delighted to be working with Clear Architects on a new build in Loughton.

The proposal for a new modern home on an old tennis court, adjacent to a Grade II listed property, was given permission by Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) in December 2015.

District Development Councillors hailed the design as “legacy architecture” for the local area. In an 11-1 approval vote last week (2 December 2015), several committee councillors commented during the planning committee meeting that the concept represents “stunning architecture that Loughton can be proud of”.