Scholars Close

The existing site is a detached single-family dwelling located at the end of a cul-de-sac within a new build housing estate constructed around 2003-2005, with a separate double garage located away from the property at a lower level due to the existing topography. A steep embankment leads up to the western site boundary that is lined with metal fencing and trees along its full perimeter.

The site is bound to the north by an existing office building (Temple Row House) located on the A41 Soho Road, a terraced property to the east with a significantly modified and developed rear garden area, a shared play park to the south and a railway line to the east.

The western perimeter of the site presents a poor-quality edge that is highly permeable and has become a security issue for residents. The proximity of the adjacent railway line creates acoustic issues within the property and a such there was an opportunity to implement urban planning principles to repair the site boundary, complete the built form, respond to the topography, improve access and security and create an acoustic buffer to mitigate noise from the railway and repair a ‘leaky’ and unsecured boundary.

This proposed design is for a single storey extension linked to the existing three-storey property that replaces the detached garage and follows the existing topography, containing a new garage and ancillary functions linked to the property and the rear garden that enhances the house and its’ suburban context and establishes a focal point and visual marker when entering Scholars Close.

The extension maintains a modest, subordinate scale relative to the principal dwelling, presenting as a single storey element that complements the main house. The massing is restrained to ensure the extension remains subservient to the main building while providing additional floor area.

The form is a cascading pitched roof design that harmonizes with the existing dwelling’s roofscape. Facing materials complement the existing red brick construction, with matching brickwork detailing ensuring a cohesive integration.

The extension respects neighbouring amenity through appropriate setbacks and considered fenestration placement. The design maintains the rhythm and grain of the existing residential area, with the addition sitting comfortably within the established pattern of development.