North Oxford Victorian Suburb
Among the Victorian villas of North Oxford’s cherished conservation area, this substantial 250 square metre semi-detached house is a fine example of its period. Situated on an important corner plot, the house had been extended in 2003 with an unsuccessful pastiche of the Victorian conservatories formerly found in the area. As specialist architects for historic buildings, we were approached by our client to propose a strategy to improve the existing extension, unify this with a new two storey extension and develop plans for the enlargement and renovation of the original basement. The brief called for a full update of the lower two storeys of the house to provide new living space including kitchen, dining room, games room, utility room and TV room.
To create these spaces an open-plan approach is being taken to realise the full potential of the basement and enable this to become the focal point of the house. The primary walls will be re-supported on steel frames, while modern waterproofing and insulation will upgrade the comfort and longevity of the interior. A new sunken terrace will give the basement spaces direct access to an outdoor dining space linked by new steps and banks to the main garden. Additionally, to ease the pressure on space experienced by a growing urban family the project includes the thermal upgrade and conversion of the garage. This converted space will provide a games room and relaxation area away from the main open-plan living space of the house.
Planning permission for the project was achieved following detailed consultation with the Council’s Heritage team in 2023. A full technical design package has been completed. This process is often lengthy and intense to enable architects, engineers’ and landscaping designs appropriate to historic buildings to be developed.
The project is currently out for tender and construction work is expected to commence in 2025.
Client: Private client
Project Type: House extension and remodel
Location: North Oxford
Status: Tender
