Abingdon Villa’s, Kensington, W8
Located within Scarsdale & Abingdon Conservation Area
Located within Scarsdale & Abingdon Conservation Area
Removal and replacement of existing staircase throughout the main house with associated works of reinstatement and redecoration. Excavation to rear garden together with significant scheme of hard landscaping forming open plan terrace with timber decking. Application of specialist finishes and installation of custom joinery throughout the basement area. The entire Scarsdale and Abingdon area which extended to approximately 8 acres was a working agrarian farm until 1850 when it was purchased by the local master builder Mr George Nokes. Construction of the properties within this section of Abingdon Villa’s began in 1858 and were completed by 1867.
Having recently acquired the property our clients quickly realised that the overall extent of the accommodation was insufficient for their family needs. Following an initial meeting with the Client Cranbrook prepared a number of schematic design layouts with the aim of providing three additional bedrooms together with ancillary accommodation at basement level. During the process of design development, a utility room and plant room were added to the basement and the scope of works was expanded to include alterations to the rear garden area.
The existing rear garden featured a number of different levels and surface irregularities which prevented effective use of this substantial external space. The client’s brief was that the garden should be accessible to all family members and to be capable of being used as a dining area, weather permitting.
Cranbrook provided a full Design and Build function which included both Architectural and Structural Engineering. This approach enabled the early submission of applications for full planning approval and conservation area consent. Having successfully obtained all local authority approval Cranbrook promptly negotiated party wall agreements with a number of adjacent property owners and their technical representatives.
The basement construction process was to be executed within a high profile location which was subject to very significant traffic flows, particularly during school run periods. Cranbrook consulted with local residents, schools and businesses to ensure that all deliveries to site were co-coordinated so as to avoid disruption to neighbours and retail premises.
The basement was excavated so as to achieve a significant floor-to-ceiling height of 3.6 m (12ft) and large format windows were added to the front and rear lightwells.
The Client’s design intention for the basement interior was “City Centre Urban” and to achieve this Cranbrook used a variety of polished plasters, specialist wall finishes, Crittall metal framed windows and coordinated decorative finishes.
Please complete the short form below and we'll get in touch, or call 020 7148 1732
