Lantern House

New sculptural extension and internal remodelling, to unlock a suburban home

We have remodelled the interior spaces of a family home in Cambridgeshire, improving spatial coherence while retaining a sense of intimacy for the young family.

Sketch views from the back garden

Aerial view from the back garden

View from the back garden

View from the back garden

Prior to the reorganisation, the 1930’s semi-detached property had a poor internal layout with dark, restricted rooms and a lean-to extension. In addition to delivering a new high-quality extension, we have opened up the internal spaces, introducing natural light and visual connections across permeable living zones.

Internal sketch views

Moments from the construction process

Sequence of spatial experiences

Conceived as a sequence of key moments based around the family’s living patterns, our design intent fosters interconnectivity throughout the spaces. A large internal window in the entrance frames a view through the living area to the garden beyond, while a refined material palette both connects and differentiates between discrete living zones.

Moments from the living room

Viewed from the street, the extension sits behind the existing garage and respects the dominant line of the eaves. From the rear, the extension appears as two discrete larch-clad elements that together form a striking double-height ‘lantern’ rooflight above a sunken seating area – the centrepiece of the home. Wrapping around the existing property at first floor, the extension also provides additional bedroom and bathroom space, allowing the young family to continue to live and grow in their home, rather than relocate.

Through clearly defining zones, at once discreet and interconnected, and through an orchestrated layout with corresponding material treatment, we have maximised the usable floor area whilst retaining domestic proportions and a sense of enclosure for everyday family living.

Further information

Data

Location

Cambridge

Project type

Private houses

Budget

£350,000

Status

Completed 2015

Floor area

224m

2

Credits

Gort Scott Team

Jay Gort

,

Fiona Scott

,

Susie Hyden

Collaborators

Cambridge Architectural Research (CAR) (Structural Engineer), I.D. Construction (Contractor)

Picture Credits

Jim Stephenson (Photographer)

Keywords

Craft

Extension

Infill

Landscape

Materials

Refurbishment

Built

Interiors