Upper Lansdown Mews, Bath. 'Single bed development'

Upper Lansdown Mews, Bath, 'Single bed development'
Client: Private

SR Architects designed and secured planning permission for the conversion of a single-storey detached garage into a single-bedroom flat for the client’s elderly family member.

The existing garage is detached from the main dwelling. Its northern wall forms the boundary wall to an adjoining property with the east wall being the entrance door which opens onto the shared access courtyard. The west and south walls face the enclosed and good-sized garden of the client’s property.

The design challenge required the careful integration of the additional accommodation without detracting from the character of the existing dwelling and its context. The proposal extends the garage vertically with a one storey addition providing a bedroom space and a small extension to the rear at ground level forming the living accommodation.

The mass of the extension is reduced with a shallower pitched roof than that of the existing garage, and a flat-roofed rear addition reduces its visibility from the street and neighbouring properties to enable the new extension to sit comfortably in its environment. The choice of materials, articulation of detail and finishes to match existing will combine to provide a positive contribution to the immediate context.

This design solution therefore achieves a satisfactory balance of retaining the garage parking whilst creating additional accommodation for the overall property which remains discrete from view from the main street and minimizes loss of space from the garden area.