A substantial, new-build annex within Norwich’s Golden Triangle

The owners of this two-storey Norwich house were keen to future-proof their home by creating accommodation, where someone with limited mobility could live independently.

Their existing Victorian house, set on a desirable road in the Golden Triangle, was accessed by steps and had no areas within it suitable for the creation of a ground-floor bedroom and bathroom.

The solution was therefore to build a completely new space.

The design we came up with makes use of a former garage site, adjacent to the property’s own garage.

This has, in fact, allowed the owners to create what is in effect a whole home, with its own new living space, kitchenette, wet room and bedroom.

From its ramped entrance and doorways to its individual room designs and fixtures and fittings, the entire annex has been designed to be wheelchair accessible.

Contemporary in style, it offers sharp and effective contrast to the elegant grey brick of the main, period house, and is an eye-catching addition to the street.

The project has not been without its challenges.

As the main house is Grade II Listed, the design had to meet the stringent requirements of the planners, who wanted a distinct level of contrast.

This was not only achieved through the very contemporary shape of the building and its façade but also the materials used.

In order to further enhance the aesthetic appearance of the annexe beside the house, the property’s garage had to be reconstructed to work with the new roof lines.

We also designed a new ramp for the back of the Victorian house to enable the main accommodation to become accessible for a wheelchair user.

In total, we have added some 64 sq m of living space to this property and if all goes to schedule it should be ready to move into by spring 2022.

For this family, creating wheelchair-accessible accommodation met their needs but for others, the addition of an annexe might add to the flexibility through the presence of a workspace, gym or leisure studio.

Not everyone is lucky enough to have the space for a whole new annexe, but where it is possible it can not only future-proof and enhance flexibility, but it can also add significant value.