Ranelagh Courtyard House: A Tudor Beauty Redefined
Explore the revamped 1930s house, now with universal access and captivating brick details
The challenge was to convert this 1930s two-storey house with a small kitchen, external WC, and North facing rear garden into a fully accessible home that can be enjoyed by all.
An existing extension to the rear, covered side passage and sheds prevented evening light reaching the rear of the site and resulted in dark internal spaces. These are to be demolished and replaced with a single storey extension to the rear of the site which has been arranged to catch as much light as possible.
The Master Bedroom, accessible bathroom and master wardrobe are located at the rear corner, with the residual outdoor space creating two private courtyards with large areas of glazing opening from the living spaces and bedroom.
The new sloping zinc-clad roof will allow low evening light to skim over the roof into the courtyard. This will create bright, warm internal spaces and cheerful suntraps inside and out.
Rear courtyard visualization
The principal living spaces and master suite are organized around a manageable courtyard garden.
Before
An old addition to the rear is to be removed as well as opening up the back of the original house.
Context model
Sitting on a street of Tudor gable-fronted houses, the new significant new addition is tucked away to the side with a new south-facing window to the master bedroom.
Before
The original house lies on a bend in the road creating a tapered site which widens towards the rear.
Context model Image
The existing covered side passage and sheds stopped Western light reaching the interior. These are replaced with a private courtyard allowing evening light to stretch deep into the living spaces.
Model Image
The extended floor area intersects the external space of the property creating two private courtyard areas. A minor addition at first floor level creates new bathroom and ensuite areas without disruption to the original eaves line of the house.
Interior visualisation
A feature brick wall will provide a semi-private corridor to the Master Bedroom from the living spaces without blocking off the spaces entirely.
Model Image rear high level view
The extended areas have been carefully designed to slip into a back-garden world of sheds and outbuildings without an impact on adjacent properties.
Model Image Courtyard view
Within the property, it was important to maintain a degree of privacy between the main living spaces and the master bedroom suite to the right-hand-side of the view.
Kitchen Visualisation
A brick pier extending from the courtyard to the kitchen along with floor-to-ceiling glazing results in the courtyard and living spaces feeling like one.
Master Bedroom Visualization
The Master Bedroom sits between two private courtyards resulting in a bright and cheerful space over the course of the day.
