Swinnate Road

Swinnate Road is a two-storey renovation project in Arnside, Cumbria, focused on reconfiguring the existing layout and improving the home's energy performance. The original plan was compartmentalised, with small, disconnected rooms and limited access to natural light. The brief sought to open up the spaces, create a stronger connection to the garden, and introduce more daylight throughout the home.

A key intervention is a rear timber-clad extension that merges the kitchen and dining spaces into a bright, open-plan kitchen-dining-living area, complete with large sliding doors and roof lights to bring light into this northerly aspect. A south-facing garden room has also been introduced at the front of the house, creating a multifunctional space for guests to relax or remove coats and shoes, while improving the thermal buffer and comfort of the home.

The renovation extends beyond layout and flow – the existing home, once finished in roughcast, has been wrapped in external wall insulation (EWI), then rendered and painted white to refresh its appearance and increase thermal efficiency. Triple-glazed doors and windows have been specified throughout to minimise heat loss and improve acoustic comfort.

To support a low-carbon lifestyle, solar PV panels and an electric car charging point have been installed. A rebuilt garage and sheltered parking area offer functional upgrades, while varied-depth timber cladding adds warmth and texture to the design.