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CDC Studio

Midsummer Retreat

Re-modelling and 21st century environmental upgrade of a Traditional Terraced Property with Sun-drenched Courtyard Garden
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CDC studio designed the hard landscaping to create an inviting pathway through the small garden, offering visual interest along the route.

Enable the light to pass through the house with a seamless flow. "The house and garden are great! I am immensely grateful to Delphine for her level of commitment and her genuine enthusiasm to help clients turn projects into true homes for life"

Client
Existing extension with raised courtyard garden offering limited useable space
Side return gardens are traditionally left over unloved spaces. CDC Studio's challenge was to bring this back to life

The traditional bay fronted terrace property suffered from cracked stone and a failed bay roof. With single glazed sash windows, the property required some updrading and investment.

Existing building
Renovated terrace with thermally upgraded double glazed sash windows, renovated dormer and repaired stonework. Removal of the box hedging and adding a bistro table makes use of the wonderful views to the common

Good flow and direct views through the house, was a key briefing requirement. Removal of the internal walls and inner structural corner enabled views from the rear courtyard garden kitchen at the rear of the house through to the front reception room and onto the common beyond. Admirers can now be found lingering to catch views through the house.

A social client, places to sit and engage in conversation were key brief requirements. A long bench offers perching areas with seating niches to add interest.
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The "Feature Wall" had some key objectives, create a space for a specific sculpture, allow for the storage of different book depths and heights, provide some concealed storage and also contain the soil and vent pipe !

Tying togther the formal front and rear reception rooms was completed with the creation of a continuous 'Feature Wall' in a unifying dark tone. Pops of colour to key locations bring the wall to life and the concealed lighting compliments 'the look'

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Removal of the internal supporting walls and the installation of slimline corner to corner sliding doors allows the garden to flow into the centre of the house. No left over spaces here !
A client with a love of entertaining a large dining space was a must. CDC created a fixed upholstered banquette dining room bench seat with pendant light and place for artwork. Acoustic panels sit above the table to dampen reverberation on the hard surfaces. The table is now used for crafting and collaboration as well as dining.

The client wanted a bright kitchen to contrast with the moody tones of the dining area and feature wall. Off white walls and a textured oak veneer was selected for the kitchen island units. A concealed sink / work space was hidden within the tall units which were spray painted to match the wall colour and disappear.

Kitchen 

A real workhorse the tall units were oversized with 750mm deep drawers. Providing a route for extractors and incoming pipework from the external Air Source Heat Pump it also hosted a full Quooker tap, reservoir, sparkling water vessel, de scaler and three waste bins

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Bright and light the new rooflights had external blinds added to enable shading during the intense summer heat
Level access onto the lower garden extends views from the kitchen outward and slimline aluminium doors offer easy accessibility

Removal of the internal corridor required the creation of a fire rated wall. CDC incorporated glazing to connect the hall to the living room and incorporated low level led lighting to the stairs rising to the first floor.

A secret door opens onto the concealed wc, an underwater world collated by the client and turned into reality by CDC.

Concealed closed

Details 

A sea themed under stairs wc is a quirky client choice. CDC enhanced this with timber shelves and concealed lighting

Cdcstudio-cambridge-concrete-extension-joinery
CDC studio designed the hard landscaping to create an inviting pathway through the small garden, offering visual interest along the route.
After
After
Before
Before
Breaking from tradition playful coloured tiles lead you to a bright front door
The client chose a moody dark palette which we emblicshed with woody tones and soft lighting
The principal bedroom made use of the space either side of the chimney breast through the creation of a false wall to conceal two dressing room areas. Painted to match the wall colour push to open doors create a concealed entrance

  • Client

    Private

  • Location

    Cambridge

  • Budget

    Private

  • Design Team

    Martyn Leeks Cost Consultants
    Award Assoc. Structural Engineers

  • Team

    Delphine Dryer

  • Images

    CDC Studio
    Richard Chivers