As part of the minor grand design project described on the kitchens pages this basement excavation provided space for a small home cinema at one end and a laundry at the other. It also accommodated the new condensing boiler, freeing up more space in the kitchen, and provided substantial storage in huge cupboards extending under the existing house. Style Within designed and managed the entire project, engaging an architectural designer and structural engineer to support the building control application, as well as managing signatures to the Party Wall etc Act, 1996 in conjunction with a Party Wall surveyor. 3 tenders were evaluated, potential contractors interviewed and the successful builder commissioned. Significant underpinning was required to provide the headroom under the existing house, tanked to ensure water-tightness, and insulated substantially to comply with building regulations. A polished concrete floor provided a practical solution for this space
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Style Within
25 Rockliffe Rd, Bath, Somerset, BA2 6QW
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Interior Designers in Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Avon & Wiltshire.
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An existing low level undercroft provided the basis for the basement excavation and subsequent conversion. Accessible from the outside and with a side path to the front of the house, the wheelbarrows shuttled back and forth: a 6 yard skip was filled every day.
The first phase of digging, underpinning and reinforcing took around 6 weeks. Concrete walls formed the shape of the new room and of the extensive storage
The floors were reinforced, and insulation fitted. The entire surface was tanked to provide a water-proof barrier. Underfloor heating pipes were installed and a concrete floor laid ready for polishing: selected chipping were added to the top layer to create an attractive finished surface. Half white cement was also used to lighten the aggregate.
The polished concrete floor is ideal for this basement conversion. A beautiful terrazzo finish with selected chippings, and simple to clean. The boiler is housed in these new storage cupboards, which also accommodates a water softener, tools and sports equipment: all out of sight to create a stylish space. The home cinema and multi-room music system is a big hit.
LED downlighters provide all the task lighting here: another cutting edge feature, and environmentally friendly, each fitting only consumes 9W yet provides about 85% of the equivalent lumens from a halogen downlighter.
LED downlighters provide all the task lighting here: another cutting edge feature, and environmentally friendly, each fitting only consumes 9W yet provides about 85% of the equivalent lumens from a halogen downlighter.
The frameless glass balustrade allows all light from the glass extension to enter the basement. Low iron glass was selected to minimise the “green” effect common with cheaper glass products.