Wimbledon Village - New detached house Our client acquired a detached property with significant potential for extensions on a large corner site in Wimbledon. We were commissioned to design extensions and alterations to maximise the development potential of the house and we obtained planning permission to add approximately 50% to the useable floor area including a substantial roof extension. A subsequent ground investigation indicated that the existing foundations which were on clay and compromised by the large number of surrounding mature trees were unable to support additional loads. The only practical way forward for this project was to demolish the existing house and redevelop a new house on piled foundations. A further planning approval was obtained for the new development despite persistent opposition from the Conservation Officer. A further planning approval was granted on ‘economic grounds’ and allowed an increase in the floor area of the new house to approximately twice that of the original property. The new design was for a 3-storey house with a full basement level beneath, and designed externally as 3 interlinked and symmetrical pavilions capped by pyramid shaped roofs and feature chimneystacks. The main rooms at each level were arranged around a central hallway and a circulation space that opened up through 3 floors to a large central rooflight that flooded the centre of the house with natural light. The main reception rooms open onto a secluded private landscaped garden at the rear. We were instructed to develop the detail design and tender documents for the new house excluding the basement although the structural design has been developed to facilitate the future addition of the basement if required by the new owner. A contract was signed with the client’s preferred builder and the work was completed broadly on time and within budget. The house has been designed and built to achieve Code of Sustainable Homes Level 4 as required by the Planning Approval.