Energy efficient renovation and ground floor extension to this 1920s semi detached property.

The clients were interested in using renewable technologies to power their home. We opted for substantial improvements to the building fabric to increase the building’s performance and combined this with photovoltaics and an air source heat pump to sustainably power and heat this home. By lowering this home’s CO2 emissions from 10.92 t/y to just 1.73 t/year, we have achieved an energy reduction of 84%, making this our first deep retrofit.

In addition to the improvements to the building fabric, the property has been extended and remodelled. Originally the rear of the property featured a collection of small and dark rooms (kitchen, pantry, coal shed and utility). The rear wall of the house has been demolished, the existing spaces have been reconfigured and a 1.5m deep extension has been added across the rear of the property to provide a new kitchen dining space with views onto the garden.

The extension is built in Staffordshire blue bricks for their durability and as a nod to the blue fireplaces discovered in the property that have been restored and retained. The blue theme is carried on throughout with colour accents to the family room chimney breast, the kitchen cabinetry, the vanity units and the feature tiles to the shower room.

A fabric first approach included improved insulation levels to the roof, floors and external walls along with air tightness of the building and windows. The property suffered from compaction of fill which required the digging out and the replacement of the ground floor slab. This enabled us to insulate the entirety of the ground floor and to install an underfloor heating system throughout.

The materials have been chosen to be durable and easy to clean and maintain. The clients were keen to future proof their home as they are both retired. Adaptability has been built in with a walk in ground floor shower room, sliding doors with generous clear widths for future wheelchair access and a lift and slide gear to the large external doors which ensures they glide effortlessly.