4 Chestnut Road, Yardley Gobion

This site is located within the Yardley Gobion Conservation Area. The project comprised the demolition of the existing dilapidated north wing, extensive underpinning and alterations to the existing external wall so that two new elements could be added incorporating open planned accommodation. The extensions are of two contrasting architectural forms. These being, firstly, the new monopitch roofed North wing. This leans against the existing North façade and extends westwards, forming a bookend for the new flat roofed garden room. To the eastern side, the garden room is contained by the existing garage. This was re-roofed in a monopitch roof to accommodate the flat roof. Between the existing garage and lounge a new stone paved courtyard garden has been provided. In the Lounge the existing floor and flat roof were replaced, existing walls were internally insulated and a new pair of French doors deliver additional daylight. The new garden room is constructed with an exposed timber post, beam and rafter structure, following the example of the existing 1830 front room. Two large sliding doors give near level access to the new Spanish tiled patio. New red engineering brick steps connect the patio to the high-level part of the back garden. The flat roofed elements extend outwards beyond their glazed walls to provide passive solar control. Sustainable systems incorporated include very high levels of insulation, windtightness and airtightness together with rainwater harvesting. The existing well was glazed over and incorporated into the kitchen. 

Clients: John and Sandra Pickles

Architect: Adrian Morrow Architects

Condition Surveyor: John C Coe

Ecologist: Bernwood Ecology

Structural Engineer: JPP Consulting

M+E Consultant: Parsons Associates

Principal Designer (CDM) BOM Surveying

Main Contractor: G.Nichols Building Ltd