Lift span

Thanks for the reply. Timber frame is an option however the extension is mainly glass. I’m now thinking that I could just build on the existing retaining wall as I’ve dug inspection holes and the footings are deep. The extension would be 0.5m smaller but the kitchen would still be a good size. A steel goalpost construction could then be used on top of that wall. I’m wondering if I could use concrete lintels below the DPC level to span the 1.5m gap from the house to the wall and then build on there. See below:

Hi All, I’m trying to figure out the best way of building my rear extension. Due to the sloping ground I’m thinking of just building a wall approx 6m long. Then using 3m beam and blocks resting on that wall out from the existing kitchen wall. Then, a steel frame with a flat roof with a rubber covering. However, due to the existing terracing, I’m not sure how I would build the sides as I would like to avoid removing the existing terracing. I was thinking of concrete lintels to act as a bridge? I’ll have to get a structural engineer involved but I wondered if anyone had any better ideas. Thanks,

You a fan of dark red lipstick and lots of eyeliner ?

Great comments thanks! The windows are square, you’re right it’s just the view. I’ve brought the cladding down, darkened the stone around the door and done some door colour options ...

Anybody?

Or with a different detail around the door...

Ok. It’s been a few weeks! I think I have a plan for the inside but I just wanted to get some opinions on the outside. What do you think?

Little bit higher? Back to what Ultramods and Jack said at the beginning!

Mr Punter and Ferdinand I'm extremely grateful and I'm going through your posts in fine detail as there is so much great info there. Mr Punter, I love your floor numbering system and lateral thinking! Ferdinand, how about if the frontage comes out a little bit like below with a flat roof of some sort :

Wow, thanks Ferdinand! There is some extra information I need to give you best seen in some photos. There is a big trench at the front which was full of earth and causing damp issues. I’m going to build a new retaining wall in a similar position to the new one and that needs to be incorporated into the design.

Split into two! That's certainly an option! But, there are lots of large 5 bed houses around here. We don't want to move any time soon and see this as an ongoing project. We don't need any more space, it's 2800 square feet and there are 2 adults, 2 children. The loft conversion may never happen for us but I'd like to design the potential into it rather than having to rethink in the future. Ferdinand, you have hit the nail on the head. The main reason for the new entrance/atrium is to allow light to transfer from front to back and through the house. All the spaces work well for us apart from the downstairs bathroom which could go and we could put a WC into the office. I don't want to go down the combined living space route. I did up our last place that way and it worked well but it was much smaller. It's just not needed here I think. The main issue is the light. There is no structure around the steam room - above that is the old entrance hallway so just ceiling and floor joists etc.. The house was built bespoke by a previous owner and had a sauna in there ... it's gone now.The EPC survey gave an E. It assumed no cavity wall insulation, but it actually does have. We've since replaced the boiler, fitted LED's and it's more like a B/C now I expect. Budget? I had estimates for the front entrance windows of 10-15k. I thought about the same again for the structural work. I'm very hands on with these things and did most of the work on my last place myself. If a new facade was required on the left I could budget for that. I have 100k to spend at the moment. I have a list of things we'd like in this order: Front sorted, rear extension to kitchen with large sliding windows, new garage, loft conversion. I'd do all internal fittings myself.

Thanks all for the responses it's all great stuff! Ultramods, yes, we have trawled through Pinterest etc to look for ideas. The-r-sole, yes the right hand side used to be a garage. It's now a home office on the right and a bathroom on the left half. The bathroom is too big and doesn't get used much. The existing entrance way is 2.1m wide internally. As Mr Punter said, the kitchen is at entrance ground level and I too would expect to stay on the same level to get to it. Maybe I could use some of that bathroom? But yes, still need a WC on the ground floor. Newhome, yes, it definitely lacks balance. With an unlimited budget I think I would completely redesign the left hand side but that's not going to happen! I'll have a look at other options for the dormer to try and balance things. Ferdinand, will try your sketching idea. Yes, I get your left/right different but with something to link them. The question is what! It's interesting to see those before and after shots. Especially like the detail in the roof work. Also, your bay window idea is one we did consider at one stage... maybe we will reconsider. We have had two architects and a builder have a quick look but no inspiring ideas came out. But, as mentioned by a few of you they said it has to work from the inside out as well. I'll upload some floorplans. Thanks again!

On the contrary Jack it's honesty I'm after! I'll have a re-think!

I like yours very much, ultramods, nice clean lines. As others have said I'd like to keep it simple but at the same time make it stand out. I have it sticking out from the front of the house so you can step into the hallway before having to go down the 5 or 6 steps to the lower level. I've cleaned the windows up a bit below:

Another try:

That's a good question. It's very quirky which is why we bought it! But it works really well, apart from the front entrance. The levels are split by about 80cm so not that much. Yes, there are a lot of living type rooms and only three bedrooms. Hence, in the future we may do a loft conversion.

Yes, the house is approached from the front as in the photo. I did think about approaching one of those programmes but I'm more of a diy'er than an exhibitionist!

"Escher", I like it! It would be a great name for the house! I don't like the lean-to roof on the left either. My idea was to make that a store room with access from the outside only. Here are a couple of variations:

Here is a non pdf version of my original post

By the way, the front elevation is directly south facing.

Thanks for the alternative idea for the front. What I really need is these alternative ways of doing it! Ultramods, my first impression is that I don't like the boxy look. Looks a bit to office like for me. But it's a look I hadn't considered so that is good. I did come up the the look below as well with a dual pitch. Is that what you mean Jack?

Thanks for the replies so far, much appreciated! Here is a floor plan and some different views. As it's over four levels it's confusing (people get lost in our house!). To get to the kitchen for example you would enter, go down, then turn right up the stairs.

Hello all, We have a split level house with an ugly front which is in need of a re-design. The entrance way was originally via external steps up to the first floor. The lack of any proper membrane resulted in a lot of penetrating damp so I've removed the steps plus earth and rubble that was against the house and now we are damp free. I'd like a double height entrance hallway with lots of light. Attached is an idea I've had for a completely new look. What do people think? Although it looks like a bungalow the left side of the house has two storeys also as the bottom floor is sunken at the back. The entrance way would step down into this level. FrontJan2019v2.pdf