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Puddleduck
Architects
Simon Cottel
Technical design
David Radford & Daisy Sherwil -Zopf
Location
Guernsey, UK
Year
2023
Reworking a traditional bungalow into a modern family home characterised by high-end finishes and Puddleduck is the transformation of a bungalow plagued by poor insulation, damp, and an inefficient layout into a modern, open-plan, four-bedroom family home.
The ground floor is extensively reconfigured, utilising the existing footprint and incorporating the garage, whilst a small northern infill extension adds service space. Most of the existing structure is retained, altered, and thermally upgraded for cost efficiency and to retain existing embodied energy.
The efficient remodelling of the ground floor creates a generous entrance hall running through to the rear of the house - bringing natural light into the house’s core, reducing the need for artificial lighting and providing a much-needed connection to the rear garden and southern terrace from the main living spaces. To accommodate a family member's additional needs, a self-contained annexe is integrated into the front of the property, allowing long-term flexibility, and encouraging independence.
To meet the brief, and retain garden space, the design utilises a more efficient vertical expansion to incorporate a master suite and snug with dual aspect views over the common. Placed centrally, the additional volume minimises visual impact by following a similar massing to the original house, and the lightweight timber-clad structure spans between the existing walls below. The parapets to the flat roof allow for the incorporation of discreet solar panels while visual privacy to the rear is maintained through splayed timber screens.
Limited excavation was required, with a focus on waste reduction through the preservation of existing openings and optimal removal of internal partitions. The project prioritises sustainability, thermal performance, and a harmonious blend with the existing structure – to create an elegantly simple and functional family home.
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