BARN CONVERSIONS

Nicolas Tye’s Hertfordshire barn sports a completely glazed gable end that ensures natural light is not a problem If there is a single rule that will lead to a successful design scheme for a residential barn conversion, it is to be ‘true to the building’, in other words to ensure that the barn retains its essential character and form, and does not simply get turned into a house.

If this simple philosophy is applied to every aspect of design, from window and door treatments, to internal subdivision, the project should not go far wrong and should also be in line with the requirements of the local planning authority.

HOUSE EXTENSION

PLANNING YOUR HOUSE EXTENSION – 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

With a slow housing market that doesn’t show any signs of picking up soon, many people are opting to stay put and extend their existing home, rather than up sticks and move.

This may seem like a great idea and a good way to save both money and time, but before you jump in and start buying breeze blocks to get started on that house extension, there are a few things you need to consider.

So here, produced with the benefit of over 25 years of continuing experience in the business of planning and managing property extensions, is the Harvey Norman Architects 10 Point Guide to what you need to know before heading off towards your new house extension:

KITCHEN EXTENSION

We all know that the kitchen is the heart of the home, nevertheless the majority of us don’t actually have our dream kitchen – yet. More often than not the one thing we all want in our kitchens is space, and no, for most people that doesn’t accumulate to moving home. In fact, kitchen extensions are by far one of the most popular home development ventures.