Addition of a rear roof extension, internal and external alterations that include window replacement, across the first, second and loft levels to convert the existing upper floor flat into 2no. new residential units to a residential property in a conservation area at West Kensington W14, Hammersmith and Fulham.
“Flats development Kensington W14 – The proposed roof will be clad in dark grey zinc cladding with a glazed opening centred on the rear elevation and proportionate to the visible part of the new cladding.
The new extension will sit amongst a number of rear extensions or variable quality along Gunterstone Road and it will be a quality and appealing addition in terms of form, materiality and sitting that enhances the character of the conservation area (the conservation area character appraisal for this conservation area is yet to be published by Hammersmith and Fulham).
We propose the replacement of the existing windows to improve thermal performance as follows:
Front elevation: Full window replacement by Wandsworth Timber Doc L standard 45 mm sash window in Solid Redwood with Solid Utile Hardwood Cill.
Rear elevation: Full window replacement by TimberLook flush sash in uPVC with (Radlington) deeper cill option.
Roof skylights: VELUX GGL 3570H Conservation Rooflight.
The conversion to flats aims to create 2no. new residential units that manage to comply with the space requirements of the London Plan (London Plan Guidance, Housing Design Standards – June 2023) to the degree that this is possible given that we are dealing with the conversion of an existing building and the associated limitations that this creates.
We propose the creation of the following residential units:
• First floor flat – 1person / 1 bedroom flat. Internal floor area: 44.1sqm
• Upper floor flat – 4 person / 2 bedroom flat. Internal floor area: 85.8sqm.
All rooms were designed to meet or exceed the floor area requirements and every effort has been made to create accommodation that is comfortable to live in and consideration to adaptability and fire safety matters.
We do not propose to alter the access around the front of the building or the access to the property in general; for anything further please see the attached drawings and forms that accompany this application.”
Area and context.
Flats development Kensington W14: The property is part of a terrace of houses in the Gunter Estate Conservation Area in Hammersmith and Fulham, and it is not a locally or nationally Listed Building.
For more information about the Hammersmith and Fulham planning department, policies and requirements please click the link above to be re-directed to Hammersmith and Fulham Council website.
Name and origin
Hammersmith has disputed origins as a place name. Some sources suggest it derives from Hammoder’s Hythe (a safe haven belonging to Hammoder), others, perhaps more satisfyingly, suggest it’s simply a concatenation of ‘hammer’ and ‘smithy’, denoting an area important for metal working. Fulham is an area belonging to an Anglo-Saxon called Fulla, but rather than the usual ‘ham’ meaning homestead, this one was originally ‘hamm’, signifying a bend in the river. [Londonist.com]
Hammersmith and Fulham planning department
You will probably need planning permission if you want to build something new, make a major change to your home – e.g. building an extension, or change the use of your property. There are different rules depending on what you want to do and the relevant planning policy that applies to your property. At GOAStudio we have a proud record of dealing with the local authority planners and building control inspectors and we are on hand to assist with your application and successfully handle every stage of your project.
Sustainability matters.
As part of the renovation and extension works (Flats development Kensington W14) we took a whole building approach and looked at how we could retrofit the property under this application and we considered a range of measures that would be appropriate and effective for this property and for this heritage setting to ensure that
a. we create a healthy and comfortable internal environment, and
b. do so in a way that responds to the effects of climate change.
The following measures are proposed as part of this development:
Internal wall insulation – We will take this opportunity to introduce internal wall insulation across the two new residential units. This will require the gutting of the internal finishes, re-wiring, replacement of skirtings / cornices, and it will be carried out by specialist contractors that understand thermal bridging issues. We will be adding about 100mm wall thickness to the external walls, and around 1m. continuous wall insulation along the side walls to prevent cold bridging. Details to be confirmed at the next stage when we prepare detailed technical and structural information for the Building Regulation approvals.
Window replacement and new double glazed units – It will go hand in hand with the introduction of internal wall insulation; these new windows will match the appearance of the existing windows. Triple glazing was considered however the view was taken that the additional thickness of the frames would harm the appearance of the building and it will appear inconsistent with the character of the conservation area. We propose the following:
Front elevation: Full window replacement by Wandsworth Timber Doc L standard 45 mm sash window in Solid Redwood with Solid Utile Hardwood Cill.
Rear elevation: Full window replacement by TimberLook flush sash in uPVC with (Radlington) deeper cill option.
Roof skylights: VELUX GGL 3570H Conservation Rooflight.
Roof insulation – As part of the whole building approach it is important that we also insulate internally the underside of the front pitched roof to create a consistent thermal envelop that includes both the existing walls and the new roof extension. There is a limit to how much insulation we can add to the pitched roof, limited by the amount of habitable space we need to create and the resulting internal headheights; we expect that we will be able to add 50-75mm insulation under the rafters and another 100mm min. between the existing front roof rafters.
Airtightness, Overheating and Ventilation – We have ensured that all habitable rooms are provided with windows of a suitable size, that the reception areas for both flats are served by a number of windows, and that the top flat reception area benefits from cross ventilation. The new internal wall and roof insulation will improve the air-tightness of both residential units. Due to the constraints of the existing building it is not feasible to introduce the ducts required a full heat recovery mechanical ventilation system however we propose the use of localised heat recovery ventilation units similar to this; the exact specification will be confirmed post planning approval: https://www.envirovent.com/products/heat-recovery-ventilation-mvhr/heatsava/
Heating – We explored various options, including the installation of solar panels and air source heat pumps however it was not deemed feasible to include such measures as part of this development in this setting. A new efficient gas boiler will be fitted for the new residential unit at the top floor and energy efficiency will be optimised by the new internal insulation, the higher standards of insulation of the new roof extension, and the replacement / new glazing. Introduction of low energy light fittings across the new development.
Embodied Carbon – During the detailed design stage every effort will be made to use less carbon intensive materials, to reuse materials, and to use fewer finishings where this is possible. The principle of adapting and extending an existing building ensures that a new residential unit can be created with the minimum amount of embodied carbon used for this development.
Water efficiency – As part of this development we aim to achieve the AECB Good practice fittings standard for showers (6-8l min measured at installation), basin taps (4-6 l/min measured at installation), kitchen sink taps (6-8 l/min measured at installation), WCs (less than 6l full flush) and baths (less than 180l).
Contact us
Architectural services for residential projects in the following Hammersmith and Fulham areas:
NW10 Old Oak Common
SW6 Fulham, Parson’s Green, Sands End
W6 Hammersmith
W12 Shepherd’s Bush
Read our Hammersmith and Fulham residential architect and planning guide that includes detailed planning and design advice for your home project and for similar residential developments (Flats development Kensington W14).
When a proposal requires planning application support GOAStudio’s architectural planning service can take it from early design and local-policy review through to submission and council liaison.
GOAStudio London residential architecture and interior design is an award-winning practice, specialising in offering architectural services for residential projects across London.
As your local residential architect our team aims to provide a friendly and professional service for your home project.
Our approach is based on carefully considering the particular aspects of each scheme before coming up with a creative way for you to instil your unique stamp on what we do and how we do it.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Architects Registration Board (ARB).
HOME DESIGN – Find ideas for your project.
- Side extensions London residential guide
- Rear extensions London residential guide
- Kitchen extensions London residential guide
- Roof extensions London residential guide
- Residential renovations London guide
- Mansard roof extensions London residential guide
- Contemporary extensions London residential guide
- Flat extensions London residential guide
- Garden flat extensions London residential guide
- House extensions London residential guide
BOROUGH SPECIFIC ARCHITECT AND PLANNING GUIDES FOR YOUR HOME PROJECT
Your local Council will have in place design and planning requirements for your home project and you will need to obtain planning approval for a wide range of extensions and alterations to your property.
When you get in touch we will offer you detailed advice about what is likely that your Council will approve and in the meantime we have prepared the following architectural and planning guides that include extracts of the relevant planning policy and examples of our projects in our Borough.
Barnet architects | Planning and design homeowner guide, Camden residential architect and planning guide, Enfield residential architect and planning guide, Hackney residential architect and planning guide, Hammersmith Fulham residential architect and planning guide, Haringey architects | Planning and design homeowner guide and planning guide, Islington residential architect and planning guide, Kensington and Chelsea Conservation architects, residential and planning guide, Lambeth residential architect and planning guide, Lewisham residential architect and planning guide, Newham residential architect and planning guide, Tower Hamlets residential architect and planning guide, Waltham Forest residential architect and planning guide, Wandsworth residential architect and planning guide, Westminster residential architect and planning guide
We provide architectural services for residential projects in the following London Boroughs:
Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster
We specialise in
- Greener homes
- Retrofit and energy efficiency for older and traditional buildings
- Conservation areas
- Listed Buildings
- Homeowner architectural services
- Property developments architectural services
GOAStudio London residential architecture limited.
86-90 Paul Street, EC2A 4NE, Hackney
Chestnut Avenue South, E17 9EJ, Waltham Forest
t: 0203 984 3005
