Butterfly Roof - Leyton

Brief: Internal reconfiguration, rear extension and loft dormer extension

Budget: Undisclosed

Scope: Permitted Development, Building Regulations & Construction Information

This 1930’s property in Leyton is much larger than the typical Victorian terrace which gave us the freedom to design a number of different layout options that aren’t possible in smaller properties.

The rear extension is the smallest we have designed at only 1.3m deep and 3m wide but in adding the small amount of floor area it completely opened up what are at present two very disconnected spaces in the property. The clients initially had assumed leaving the kitchen in place in the existing outrigger would be the sensible option but we suggested options that changed the kitchen location and create an additional seating area.

The roof has been designed as a ‘butterfly’ roof where we have mirrored the pitch of the existing rear outrigger roof to form a ‘V’ around the existing eaves. The fully glazed elevation to the new extension floods the dining and kitchen spaces with light throughout the day.

The existing single storey outrigger and new extension with the fully glazed wall helps define the area in front of the doors as an outdoor entertaining area. In the summer the doors can be fully opened which will create a flowing entertaining space from inside to out.

The butterfly roof and exposed roof profile in the existing outrigger provide very interesting ceiling plans which add to the animation of the spaces. The insulation in the tall ceilinged areas was uplifted to ensure heating the rooms wouldn’t be any more expensive than a usual room. The clients chose the leave the steels and the original brick corbels exposed in the outrigger ceiling which are details that really add to the space.

The layout tucks a utility room into the dark, deep area of the plan. A utility space is very useful in a family home, specially once a dormer loft conversion is completed in the future and the house becomes a four bed.