Client design brief:

The brief for this conservatory was for a basic garden room off a south-east facing kitchen/diner. The client wanted to take full advantage of the outstanding views this position would provide but, at the same time, the structure needed to be sympathetic to the renovated stone and render cottage.

As it is an old property there is a tendency for the rooms to appear small and dark, therefore one of the client’s main requirements was for a light, airy room in which to relax.

As the property had already been extended above 70 cubic metres, planning permission was required and obtained.

The specifications and the main materials used are as follows:

• Floor – 50mm insulation, 100mm concrete capped with laminated wood flooring.
• Walls – external block and render, 50mm cavity wall insulation, internal thermalite block dry lined.
• Sides – 70mm fully reinforced white PVC-u internally glazed with 28mm double glazed low e glass units. ( U value 1.9)
• Roof – PVC-u clad aluminium incorporating 25mm five wall heatguard on opal polycarbonate sheets. ( U value 1.6 )
• Ventilation – twenty opening sashes, two roof openers, integral ridge ventilation, french doors, remote controlled ceiling fan.

The roof pitch of the conservatory was designed to echo that of the house and give a feeling of spaciousness. This also helped dissipate potential heat build-up during the summer months in this south-east facing conservatory.

The line of opening top lights was designed to give a sense of uniform and symmetry whilst also providing secure ventilation. General security and the aesthetics of the design were carefully weighed up against the potential loss of view due to the transoms.

To the client’s surprise and delight, the conservatory has also helped to keep warm a previously cold kitchen/diner during winter, as well as maintaining a pleasant temperature during warmer weather. All of these features have resulted in the conservatory becoming the most used room in this house, throughout the entire year.