A small addition
Homebuilding & Renovating|May 2023
Looking to downsize in a home she could futureproof, Catherine Chalmers reorganised and extended the layout of a 1950s bungalow
Caroline Ednie
A small addition

When Catherine Chalmers decided to downsize from her family home and find a more suitable house to spend her retirement in, a 1950s bungalow in the same local area to the south of Edinburgh came along and seemed to offer the potential that she was looking for.

“The aim was to futureproof my living plans, but in an affordable way,” says Catherine. “The main drawback of the bungalow was that it had no real gathering space-cum-dining area for my family and friends when they visited. But the possibility of an extension to the new home with the potential to provide that meeting space made the property attractive.”

Another key shortcoming that Catherine was keen to address was the lack of light internally — a common problem with many period properties of this period. The back of the house was all utility space with no garden connection — the garage occupied the prime sunny site in the mature garden.

Catherine sought an architect to help realise her ambitions for the house. “A few years earlier, while flicking through a magazine, I came across an article on a modernised property in the north of Scotland. The design really appealed to me and I noticed that the architect was from Edinburgh. I noted the details in case I should ever want to consider getting building work done and, a few years on, called T.A.P to see if they would consider a small, local project. The architect, Neil Taylor, said he’d be happy to meet with me and things quickly moved forward from that point.”

"The aim was to futureproof my living plans, but in an affordable way"

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2023 من Homebuilding & Renovating.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2023 من Homebuilding & Renovating.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING مشاهدة الكل
SOLAR MYTHS DEBUNKED
Homebuilding & Renovating

SOLAR MYTHS DEBUNKED

We ask the experts about the truth behind 12 common myths around solar panels...

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
Experience pays
Homebuilding & Renovating

Experience pays

Seasoned renovators Sue and Jim Savege put their knowledge and skills to the test when renovating and extending their 19th-century Scottish cottage

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN EXTENDING YOUR HOME
Homebuilding & Renovating

10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN EXTENDING YOUR HOME

You've got your plans in place and are close to getting started on site, but what other key tasks need completing to keep everything on track? Here's what you need to consider...

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Lofts Conversion glazing
Homebuilding & Renovating

Lofts Conversion glazing

Extending upwards is a great way to gain extra space but it is crucial to get the glazing right to capture views, control the light and prevent overheating

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
A modern slant
Homebuilding & Renovating

A modern slant

After buying an east London Victorian terrace, one couple decided to extend it outwards and upwards to make it fit for 21st-century living

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
A BUILDER'S VIEW
Homebuilding & Renovating

A BUILDER'S VIEW

Make sure you get accurate quotes for your project by following this key advice

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
12 tips for tackling a slow renovation
Homebuilding & Renovating

12 tips for tackling a slow renovation

Taking on a renovation project? Consider our tips on doing it in your own time and undertaking the work in stages to avoid the pressures of a strict deadline

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
PLANNING LOOPHOLES
Homebuilding & Renovating

PLANNING LOOPHOLES

If you get familiar with some of the lesser-known rules, they may just help you get approval for your project

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Pastures greener
Homebuilding & Renovating

Pastures greener

Having built their previous home themselves Paul and Johanna Suter decided a custom oak frame self-build in a verdant setting was the perfect choice for creating their family home

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
In perfect harmony
Homebuilding & Renovating

In perfect harmony

Susi Clark's long-held wish for creating a combined home and workspace came to fruition on a tricky sloping site

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024