A Case Study: Double-Storey Front Extension & Open-Plan Transformation

Project Overview - Double-Storey Front Extension

This project involved a double-storey front extension designed to significantly enhance the layout and appearance of a 1960s property.

The first floor was extended to create larger bedrooms and a dedicated study, while the ground floor was reconfigured to form an open-plan living area, a larger kitchen, and a new home office. The overall vision was to modernise the property and deliver a layout that felt brighter, more spacious, and better suited to contemporary family living.

Project Duration: Structural design completed August 2024. Construction estimated for completion January 2026.

Collaborators: Dobra Villa Architects

Special Requirement: Achieve the desired results as cost-effectively as possible.

 

The Challenge

I was approached by an architect I've successfully partnered with on many previous projects. Their client wanted the new and existing parts of the home to read as one coherent space with no awkward nibs, piers, or intrusive structural elements disrupting the openness of the proposed layout.

The aim was a clean, uninterrupted flow throughout the ground floor and a seamless visual connection between old and new.

Our Structural Solution

To deliver the open-plan layout without compromising the building's stability, I designed a series of steel goalpost frames. These frames provide the essential lateral support required for the property while eliminating the need for internal protrusions.

This approach:

• Preserved a completely open-plan footprint

• Allowed the architectural vision to come to life without structural obstruction

• Provided a robust and cost-efficient solution in line with the client's budget goals

 

The Result

The final design achieves a fully open-plan ground floor with a smooth, uninterrupted transition between the existing structure and the new extension. The space now provides flexibility for modern living while maintaining full structural integrity.

Related Services

This project showcases our expertise in:

• Structural design for extensions

• Renovations and reconfigurations

• Load-bearing alterations and goalpost steel frame design