Cellar Conversion + WFH space
Project type: Domestic
Build cost: £135, 000
Location: Woodseats, Sheffield, S8
Client: Confidential
Contractor: Precision Builders
Status: Completed 2023
Fees: Basic Package
Area cost: £2700 / m²
Discover what was involved in transforming a damp and unused cellar into a cosy, multifunctional space for the entire family to enjoy living in. There is a teenager hangout + work from home space + movie room with a decent high quality audio visual system installed. A small WC and Utility Room were also slotted in. The underground work from home space benefits from natural light flooding in from a new lightwell above.
We worked with our clients Geoff and Louise to create extra family friendly spaces from unused cellar rooms. Technically the project was quite challenging as most of the existing semi-detached house needed to be underpinned to create extra head height. The ceiling heights were made quite high, over 2.1m high, so the rooms and spaces feel light, airy and spacious, and not cramped and small. This triggered the Party Wall Act and everything was agreed with the neighbours without any issues. 7 new steel beams needed to be designed and installed to support the structural walls removed. Ensuring fire safety separation from the rest of the house and a new Building Regulations compliant staircase also needed to be completed. Tanking / structural waterproofing was also required to keep the basement nice and dry from underground water, this bit was to specialist design.
A big part of the process was having regular discussions and conversations with the Clients + Contractors + Structural Engineer + Building Control + specialist manufacturers. All conversations started fairly early on, before too much design work was completed, and way before building work started. All the thoughts and comments from the team were fed through into the design. This resulted in a much richer quality of work with less chance of having to do things twice on site. This is what collaboration and partnering looks like at the smaller end of the scale of construction projects.
We are so glad that we helped make a positive a difference to the lives of Geoff, Louise and their family by transforming a damp cellar into a cosy family space, and creating the extra space they needed.
By the way, the photos were taken with the internal lights switched off, so you can see how much natural light floods the underground rooms and spaces.
Problems Solved:
Working out the heights + ensuring lots of natural light + structural design co-ordination + obtaining Planning Permission + Building Regulations
What our customers say
The conversion has made a huge difference to our family life…
“We were embarking on a significant basement conversion project on our home in Woodseats, Sheffield. After receiving quotes from several building companies we soon felt lost and overwhelmed. A friend who works in architectural services recommended Nathan at Ikonografik to help us with the design of the project as well as navigating complexities such as planning permission, building regulations etc.
From the first conversation with Nathan we knew that we were in safe hands and the project almost instantly had structure and focus and we felt for the first time that we were actually going to make it happen. Nathan took the time to understand what we wanted and made clear and achievable what had previously seemed impenetrable.
Nathan provided highly detailed plans and was amenable to alterations and changes. He also arranged for planning permission visits and paperwork and regulation checks and guided us through processes such as the Party Wall Act.
The builders that we eventually employed for the work were able to follow his plans throughout the entire build. Using Ikonografik saved us time, money and hassle throughout the project. Having clear designs and timelines from the start made everything easier and meant that the project was able to stick closer to time and budget.
It’s clear that Nathan really cares about his work and showed a real interest in our project. The conversion has made a huge difference to our family life, expanding the functional space for our family of five significantly as well as providing an office space for home working.
I would not hesitate to recommend Ikonografik to anyone looking to embark on conversions, extensions or any architectural projects.”
Geoff + Louise
If you’re bouncing around ideas…
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