Category: Case Study

This wonderful home, The Clock House, is located in Clipsham and is a listed building that needs listed building consent. Experience told us we were more likely to gain permission for a new extension if we created a modern structure. As it turned out, our thinking was much the same as our customer’s, and after two design iterations, we submitted the plans, and permission was granted. This slim-line hybrid garden room and orangery was built using aluminium. A stone chimney breast, built by our stonemason to exacting standards to house a log burner, was added as a main feature. Underfloor heating was included to ensure the room was always warm when needed. This modern structure has three electric-opening roof vents with solar control and Low-E glass to the elevations, which provides plenty of ventilation.

This orangery project is a beautiful home in a small village in Leicestershire. During the Initial discussions, we were advised that the homeowners wanted more space to relax and enjoy their beautiful garden. They also wanted an additional orangery link to a dining room area for family get-togethers, celebrations, and entertaining, as the kitchen wouldn’t be big enough. Our client had spoken with several companies but struggled to find a specialist to undertake the entire project. They didn’t want to have to manage several suppliers but wanted to include all aspects of the building works as well as the design and installation of the new orangeries. Finally, they found us and chose us to deliver on their dream project as we offer a complete turnkey operation and use our planners, designers, carpenters and builders. The L-shaped orangery design was created and approved. Hardwood was the material of choice with feature pilaster posts. The colour chosen was ivory, probably one of our most popular colours.

Ketton Grange is located in the village of Ketton, near Ketton, Rutland. Parts of the building date back to the 17th Century, and the Main building was divided into three dwellings in the 1950s and given a grade II listing in 1984. Our clients wanted our help to design an orangery for their home; Bespoke Design is local to Ketton and provides all the design services at no cost to the homeowner, negating the need for an external architect and alleviating the associated costs. During the project discussions, it was explained that a little more space was required for relaxation as the children and their toys had taken over the lounge. The homeowners felt they needed some private space where they could enjoy the garden and the views over the countryside. It is essential when dealing with listed buildings that any proposed changes are sympathetic to the property’s listed status, and that was a key part of our discussions. Living in a Grade II listed building located in Rutland makes any simple changes very difficult. In addition to the orangery build, the existing French doors and side windows set within the stone bay window also needed changing as they offered very little security, locking with a simple metal hook for closure.

Our client’s brief was to increase the size of their kitchen for a better dining room and knock through to the snug room, which is used for relaxation. This project involved comprehensive and complex structural works to create the new openings. As a major section of the lower rear wall was to be removed and structural steel added for support, accurate structural calculations were needed to ensure stability. Due to soil conditions, the footings needed to support the entire structure were more than a metre deep; the liquid concrete was then pumped in. The block and beam floor construction had a flow screed finish added to give a level surface for the finished floor covering. As you can see from the calculations in the images, the building works team needed to follow a great deal of detail. The senior surveyor completed more than a dozen separate drawing processes before finalising; you can see the details in the drawings below. The final result was a wonderful orangery that delivered a stunning kitchen and dining room space.