How we created a circle of warmth

Through the round window

How we created a circle of warmth


Number of circular windows: 4
Thickenss of new wall insulation: 210mm
Seating places added to dining room: 4

The original brief was to reconfigure the existing ground and loft extensions that had been carried out by the previous owner as they were too small and very cold in winter. The focus of the project was to improve the dining room that was located in part of the tiny kitchen projection and adjacent coal shed….

The original house was unmodernised apart from a poorly insulated loft extension

The existing rear extension, that was originally part of the kitchen and contained the coal shed, had been altered to become a dining area. Unfortunately, the tiny room barely had space for a table a four chairs and had no view due to the high window sill. In addition, Eliot, Diane and their two young boys dreaded mealtimes as the uninsulated ground floor was bitterly cold. We addressed this by demolishing the existing extension and rebuilding with a bigger footprint, higher ceilings, lots of insulation and a huge circular window to create a dramatic view where previously there was none.

The colour references to the London Underground can be seen throughout the house.

The project is fun from start to finish. It would have been easy to install large patio doors to the dining room but the clients, who have an interest in the history of the London Underground, suggested that a circular picture window, evocative of the tube tunnels could be used. "Of course!" we said, and proposed that this motif be used throughout the home. The Underground symbolism continue with the decoration design referencing the colours of the iconic modern tube map that was created in the same period as the original house.

The original house was a series of small rooms with little connection. By removing several internal walls and introducing internal circular windows, diagonal views between spaces are created, similar to the glimpses of people hurrying on their way through the connecting tunnels and halls of the Underground. The semi-open plan layout improves the flow, makes the home feel bigger and floods the interior with daylight.

"We love that through adding just 8sqm we have a home that feels bigger but not to excess. It's wonderful to feel warm!" says Diane.

The circular windows ensure that there is a view from every room.

Underfloor heating and space for 8 people makes the dining room the heart of the home.

The courtyard to the side extension contains an external 'plant pod' and bike wash facilities.

The original house was constructed in the late 1920s with solid brick walls and coal fires for heating. The new design brings the home into the 21st Century with thick external insulation to the walls, floor and roof, underfloor heating and triple glazed windows. An insulated 'plant pod' has been created in the side passage that contains the boiler and water tanks. This liberates space within the original home and has been designed to allow the easy future connection of an air source heat pump and battery storage without disturbing the main house. Eliot is a keen cyclist and this area also contains the bike wash facilities behind a timber screen next to the rear patio.