Home Design Studios were tasked with producing designs for the refurbishment and extension of a somewhat dilapidated and untidy three-bedroom semi-detached property in Girdlestone Road, Headington, Oxford, for use a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).
The remit was to achieve six comfortable size bedrooms, each with its own en-suite facility, a communal lounge and dining space, and shared kitchen. Click the drawing to see more detail.
This was achieved by utilising the ‘Prior Notification’ planning application process for a larger home extension projecting rearward six metres.
CLC Limited of Cowley, Oxford were appointed to undertake the construction and refurbishment works. The project was not without its challenges. During the ‘strip out’ and formation of new openings it became apparent the building was a Lang Easiform insitu cast concrete wall construction resting on a shallow depth 400mm wide footing bearing down on rock and shale.
Invasive works identified hairline cracks in the Lang Easiform wall panels and this introduced concern with specific regard to the structural implications of the removal and cutting of these panels to form the large opening through the rear external wall.
CAM Consultancy the structural consultants for the project produced designs for an encased portal frame over the foundation in order to tie the existing wall leaves to the new structural opening and foundation.
