Weeke House Starting on Site in October
Paul Cashin Architests are pleased that Weeke House is to start on site in October 2018.
The project includes renovating and extending a Grade II Listed dwelling in Winchester, Hampshire.
Due to the listed status of the property, careful investigation was conducted into the history and formation of the dwelling in order to discover the age of different parts of the building fabric.
The existing property has an unassuming appearance from the roadside and upon entering through the front door, it feels like a typical family home.
Passing through the ‘main’ house portion, you arrive at a single storey conservatory style rear extension containing dining and kitchen spaces.
This acts as an intermediary space as you continue into a large double height room with open mezzanine above that acts as a living space and office. This portion of the property was once an old billiards room. and there is a large roof lantern above that floods light into the space.
This part of the property is hidden from the roadside and provides a reveal moment in contrast to the more usual spaces. This space is large and flooded with light via a roof lantern two storeys above.
The concept is to create similar unexpected reveal moments across other parts of the property.
The infill extension area was highlighted as currently the least successful space, therefore, the proposal includes replacing this with a new contemporary extension including new open-plan kitchen and dining areas.
This more modest space aims to create an opposing atmosphere to the billiards room. It will be a darker space, centred around the use of natural materials and textured surfaces such as exposed roof rafters, polished venetian plastered walls and a dark modern kitchen.
This provides contrast to the billiards room but also helps to direct the view outwards towards the walled garden through large Crittall style windows that both relate to the era of the existing property and a contemporary aesthetic. Externally, black fibre cement cladding helps the extension stand out against the red brick of the existing so that it can be seen as a modern architectural intervention to the original property.
The first floor is to be transformed into a large master suite. The loft space will be opened up so that the bedroom benefits from a vaulted ceiling that reveals a hidden high-level circular window, part of the original building fabric and character, that was previously un-utilised in the loft.
Internal walls will be reconfigured creating an open-plan feeling to the master suite. The bedroom and walk-in-wardrobe areas will be separated by a freestanding chimney breast with modern fireplace that acts as a focal point and island in the space.
Overall, the proposal aims to transform the entire property and involves a new extension alongside a full renovation, re-decoration and landscaping elements.
Paul Cashin Architect - External view of extension, Winchester, Hampshire