We often use hand sketches and models as a way of working out the design problems in three dimensions in the early stages of design.
In this split level extension to a terrace house in Edinburgh, the garden was 1.7m lower than the main house. So we put the new extension at garden level, and allowed the roof slope to follow the stairs, creating a triangular window into the kitchen space which would have been isolated with no natural light.
By folding the roof diagonally, this allowed more volume and height in the new garden level living space.
Inside the space, we created a cozy space with a window seat, stove, large window to the garden and high level window to let in morning light. On the ceiling we exposed the timber beams to give a texture and rhythm.
We often build working models to work out the shape of the project, and how light gets into the space. Above we were working out the triangular window into the kitchen, plus a similar shaped high level window into the new living space.
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