Wythenshawe Road – Sale, Trafford

PJH Architectural Services were appointed by our clients to produce proposals for a ground floor rear and side extension with basement works on their semi-detached property in Sale, Trafford.

The brief

Moving to Manchester from Brighton, our clients had looked at multiple houses prior to securing this spacious Victorian semi. They had the idea of buying a property in need of attention, in order to sculpt it into something suited to their family lifestyle. This 4-storey dwelling already boasted a second floor and a partially converted basement, so space wasn’t necessarily the issue, it was how this space was utilised that our client needed help with. As existing, the property consisted of the stereotypical “3 up 3 down” layout, where every room is isolated from one another – something our client felt does not meet their requirements of modern living. Additionally, the basement also comprised of 3 awkwardly shaped rooms, accessed off of a dark corridor and narrow staircase, creating an unwelcoming approach to the lower floor – again in contrast to our clients’ desires. The previous basement conversion had also been executed below standard, so our client wanted this re-visiting to ensure the new basement works future proofed the space for years to come.

Having viewed a number of recent projects completed by PJH, our clients loved the contrast of classic and contemporary aesthetics, and therefore gave us freedom to explore designs to would provide the ‘wow-factor’ and challenge convention. Like with most clients, natural light is a must-have, therefore we were encouraged to maximise this within our designs.

Design & planning

The core of the proposals saw a contemporary new extension to the rear of the property; we looked to the infill the awkward dog legged rear elevation to order to create a new heart to the property. The goal was to transform the long and narrow galley kitchen into a more practical and aesthetically pleasing workspace. To create a captivating centerpiece we integrated a floor-to-ceiling corner glazing unit at the far end of the extension, this not only offers picturesque views of the lush surroundings but also floods the new dining area with ample natural light. The kitchen takes centre stage in the room, strategically positioned to provide a direct view through Crittall-style double doors and side screens that line the side elevation. To further delineate the space, a 3.5m long rooflight in the side extension perfectly aligns with both the side doors and the kitchen, to frame the focal point kitchen island & draw the eyes upwards into the sky beyond. Furthermore, we included a snug to the open plan space for the social family lifestyle, as well as a WC and utility to the ground floor for added convenience.

In the course of our basement renovations, we undertook a comprehensive redesign of the internal staircase to meet the latest building regulations. Additionally, we reconfigured the external steps, as the new side extension now occupies the space above the previous external access. Our design approach involved removing existing internal walls and merging three small, evenly sized rooms into two new spacious, light-filled ones. These two larger rooms were transformed into a generously sized front-facing double bedroom along with an open-plan lounge with a kitchenette at the rear; the new lounge is complete with a compact yet functional shower room. This self-contained basement floor offers versatility, serving as a guest room or an income-generating Airbnb rental.

For the exterior, our client desired a visually striking appearance. The combination of Crittall-style glazed corner elements at the rear and full-height double doors on side created a classic yet contemporary glazing package. The burnt larch timber cladding, complemented by the anthracite PPC fascia, creates a captivating contrast against the existing red brickwork of the residence. In line with our eco-friendly ethos, we opted for a green roof system, a choice our client eagerly embraced after perusing our eco-blogs.

Building regulations & tender

Once we obtained planning consent, we proceeded to create a comprehensive package of building regulations and tender documents. These documents, in collaboration with structural engineers’ drawings, were presented to the client. This allowed us to initiate the tendering process among a group of recommended local contractors based in Trafford. Throughout this phase, we provided our client with guidance, sample tendering letters, and suggestions for local contractors.

Thinking of pursuing something similar to this project? Feel free to take a look at some of our blogs:

PJH Eco Series: Green Roof Retrofit

PJH Eco Series: Underfloor Heating Retrofit

PJH Eco Series: Glazing Comparison

If you need any advice on the first steps of designing and planning an external renovation project, extension or new build feel free to get in touch for a brief chat, we are here to help.

Email: enquiry@pjhas.co.uk

Tel: 0161 4600382