The Project Casebooks
We don't just show polished "after" photos. We document the raw challenges, structural steels, and structural phases so you know exactly how your home is built.
Case Study 114: The Abington Orangery
Victorian Terrace Renovation & Wrap-Around Structural Extension
An uninsulated Victorian lean-to with failing clay foundations.
The original Abington property suffered from poor light levels, a disjointed connection to the garden, and severe settlement in the existing 1970s extension. The brief was to clear the site entirely, design a permanent raft foundation, and create a modern 6.5m wrap-around kitchen diner.
- Issue identified: 70mm subsidence on the south-facing bay.
- Permitted Development: Achieved within standard boundaries.
- Client request: Crittall-style doors and maximum natural overhead light.
Laying 1.2m deep trenches & hoisting 3-tonne structural steels.
Groundwork required engineered foundations to clear the Northampton clay line. We installed an array of structural steel RSJs (305x165x40 UK specs) to remove the entire load-bearing rear wall of the Victorian house, creating a single unified level floor plan.
- Steelwork: Goalpost rig to support three storeys of masonry above.
- Drainage: Relocated main foul run using clay-to-plastic modern adaptors.
- Insulation: 150mm Celotex floor slab detailing exceeding current Part L regs.
A light-filled, thermal-efficient architectural statement.
The completed extension features seamless level-threshold aluminum bifolds, a bespoke lantern skylight, and underfloor heating cast directly into a polished screed floor. The external brickwork was sourced from local yards to perfectly match the original 1890s Northampton red-clay masonry.
- Thermal Rating: Calculated U-value of 0.15 W/m²K.
- Glazing: Argon-filled double glazing with solar-reflective coating.
- Handover: Building Control sign-off achieved on first inspection.
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