T2 Proposed Ground Floor Plan

T1 Proposed Ground Floor Plan

Once the designs were formally approved, the Architects commenced a more detailed investigation of the internal and external spaces, material selections, relationships between spaces and environmental concerns.

The Architect considered a number of options in relation to the existing ceiling height (3300mm) in the front bedroom and the new proposed ground floor height of 2750mm. The Architect had to decide whether to step the ceiling from one height to the next or install a continuous 2750mm ceiling height throughout, adding a deeper bulkhead at the existing street window. In the end it was decided to slope the ceiling through the space to dramatically reflect the movement from old to new.

To balance out a pokey bathroom and the generous walk-in-robe (WIR), the architect combined the bath/shower, helping to form a less cluttered area. Natural light was important and by adding translucent glass to the north and south walls of the bathroom a feeling of space beyond was created.

All other elements of the project were now considered in more detail:
the light shaft - loss of space versus quality of interior spaces;
a fully glazed floor through the meals area along with more skylights - structural issues versus quality of interior spaces;
additional highlight glazing to the western side of the living room, again light versus constructional simplicity; the stairwell - could a glazed balustrade reinforce the view through the north-south axis within the town house and to lighten the stair?

By this point, T1's Architect was ready to consult with structural and geo-technical engineers. Many structural questions remained, such as how thin could the new roof be the over the living room, or how would they support the first floor roof cantilever at the northern façade? Would a first floor concrete floor system work and how thick would it need to be? And would they be able to lay a tiled finish over a first floor concrete slab without experiencing cracking? These design decisions had to be reviewed and compared along with the cost of other alternative structural systems.

While the structural design was taking shape the Architect was considering where the services would be located. How would waste pipes and exhaust lines be concealed? Where could a garden water storage tank be located - under ground or above ground? What about the cost? In summary, a constant reappraisal and refinement of the design was carried out as more and more pieces of the building fabric were stitched into place.

The windows and doors were detailed next with particular attention to frame clearances and lines to ensure functionality and a high quality appearance. The skylight over the kitchen area was refined and added to the window schedule. Internal wall elevations at a scale of 1:50 were prepared for the bathroom, kitchen and en-suite. Both the bathroom and the laundry cupboard required minor reconfiguration.

Detailing the Design Fact Sheet

T2 Proposed First Floor Plan

T1 Proposed First Floor Plan