Wimbledon family home receives a complete renovation
Widely recognised as one of London’s most perfect villages, full of beautiful shops, prime period properties and green open spaces, Wimbledon is an idyllic location for any family. Therefore, it came as no surprise to Up Architects when they were appointed by a young family, who required more space, to deliver the full refurbishment and extension of their existing home. Kebony, a global leader in the production of sustainable modified wood, was carefully selected by the architects for the exterior cladding of the extension to create something truly beautiful without being ostentatious.
After making the decision to stay in their house, rather than moving to a bigger property in the area, or moving away from the children’s school, the family recognised their pressing need for more space. Up Architects wanted to design an extension that stood out from the run-of-the-mill extensions in the area, and started with the idea of a single large space that could be adapted to suit the family’s needs over time, incorporating dining, living, a playroom, study area, TV room and guest room into the brief. Now their hectic family life could take place in a modern, light filled open-plan living space, all with an enhanced connection to the garden.
In keeping with the client’s brief, the design is simple, un-assuming and honest with two simple roof forms sitting over the main space, formed from an exposed glulam timber structure with Kebony cladding used for the exterior walls and roof. The simple geometry of the twin-hipped roofs breaks up the bulk seen from outside and defines the different spaces internally without a physical division. The timber Kebony cladding lines up across the walls and roof, with compound mitred joints, making the whole extension appear to be carved from one block of wood, with no visible gutters to compromise the sharp lines.
All the timber used was sustainably sourced and the Kebony cladding is guaranteed for 30 years. Developed in Norway, Kebony’s revolutionary technology is an environmentally friendly and patented process which modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by heating the wood with furfuryl alcohol – an agricultural by-product. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall, the softwoods permanently take on the attributes of tropical hardwood including high durability, hardness and dimensional stability. This unique process also provides Kebony with its characteristic appearance, which only grows more beautiful with time.
Marty McColl, Director at Up Architects commented: “Following our appointment for this project, it was essential that the family felt they had made the right decision in opting for an extension rather than moving house. We were able to create substantially more space, whilst ensuring the extension reflected the brief to build something that was beautiful in design without being ostentatious; we are thrilled with the final product and loved working with Kebony to transform this traditional suburban semi-detached house into a contemporary and more practical family home.”
Adrian Pye, International Sales Director at Kebony added: “We are delighted with the growing demand for Kebony extensions, the wood is extremely versatile and can be used for both traditional and modern properties as well as detached, semi-detached or terrace houses. It is evident that Up Architects have carefully considered the brief and created the perfect living space to meet the needs of this young family and the final product is a testament to their hard work.”
