Hall Place, W2

Mark Fairhurst Architects have obtained planning consent from Westminster City Council for a full width roof extension, ground floor extension and three new elevated roof terraces to the former park keeper’s house at St. Mary’s Gardens, in Paddington Green.

The building is the only detached dwelling within an area characterised by blocks of 6 storey flats situated to the north east, Little Venice Sports Centre to the south west and the historic public gardens to the south. The building is accessed via a drive and footpath from Hall Place, which runs between the blocks of flats.

The building is a 3 bedroom dwelling of 2 storeys, comprising of ground and first floor levels. It has secluded front and rear walled gardens with a detached garage. The building is of grey/brown stock brick with UPVC cladding on the recessed sections of elevation and a flat roof. Matching brickwork forms a 2 metre high boundary wall on three sides of the site, with the south west elevation fronting the access road.

It is proposed to replace the non-original cladding and windows with new aluminium windows and treated timber cladding both to improve thermal performance and quality of materials.

A ground floor extension to the rear garden increases the size of the living and dining area that, together with the demolition of the existing partition between living room and kitchen, creates a new dual aspect open plan living space. A pair of new double sash sliding doors along with a skylight improves both the views on to the courtyard garden and daylight and sunlight to the ground floor rooms. The new addition is discretely positioned between the existing garden walls minimising the visual impact to the neighbouring properties and the park.

The new ground floor extension creates a flat roof suitable for a first floor terrace to the main bedroom facing St. Mary’s Gardens. The terrace is subtly screened from the foot path to the park with the continuation of a new timber trellis screen above the existing garden wall.

The unique setting of the house along with the existing volumetric form of the building provided an opportunity to propose an individual innovative roof extension exceeding the typical restrictions for domestic properties. A square volume responded to the existing plan form setting back the extension from three sides allowing two new terraces facing south and west with excellent views over the park and conservation area. The new extension comprises of a study, bathroom, and kitchenette creating flexibility for the owner to work from home.

Vertical timber battens are proposed to clad the new roof extension which project in front of the flank window to the flats providing privacy to the new accommodation and protection from stray balls from the adjacent play area. Large double sashes are proposed to the elevations with narrow mullions extending to the parapet contrasting the extension with the original house below creating an elegant legible addition.

The successful application once constructed will transform the existing house enhancing the quality of the building, increase the usable floor area and create a truly unique domestic property surrounded by pleasant amenity space and mature landscaping in a central inner city location.