FREE Green Open Homes house tour

Event information

As part of Muswell Hill Sustainability Group's Green Open Homes season ...

A one-hour tour and Q&A opportunity with Nikki Blustin of Blustin Design - the architect behind this stunningly designed, low energy refurbishment of an end of terrace Victorian house in a Conservation area.

Works included a full strip out and refurbishment with rear and side extensions and loft conversion with rear and side dormers.

Much of the interior has been remodelled to provide a contemporary open plan living room at lower ground level, connecting through to the original house at ground floor and above. The orientation of the house is South / North front to back and it has a level change from front to rear. This meant that previously the front living room was always overheating and the rear kitchen was always very cold. The architectural vision was to utilise the solar gain from the front and bring this deep into the plan of the house, so that the rear could benefit too from the sun. Hence the decision to remove the ground floor of the front living room and make a double height space.

Now the kitchen opens to the living room at lower ground level, allowing connections for living as well as light and heat. All the spaces have the option to be opened up or closed down to be more intimate.
The result is a playful, dynamic home with numerous ways to be discovered and enjoyed. (works completed Dec 2023)

Sustainability ...
This project aims to balance the design with energy efficiency. A renewable energy feasibility study was carried out early on in the project to ascertain the low carbon options, the economic considerations and the long term benefits of a final system strategy.

Design features ...
• A Mitsubishi Ecodan 11.2kw UQ Air Source Heat Pump connected to 300 litres hot water cylinder and expansion valves
within new plant room. The ASHP is located on the roof of the side extension providing sufficient air clearance in front from
the neighbours wall. (Gas has been removed from the property)
• In the house, underfloor heating is installed throughout with controllable thermostats to each room.
• Microcement was used in the kitchens and bathrooms. which is very responsive to the UFH.
• New conservation double glazed sash windows were fitted to the front and rear, and Maxlight double glazed doors to the rear extension and roof lights.
• The loft hallway has an opening roof light over the hallway to allow heat to dissipate and close automatically if raining.
• The original brick walls of the house were all insulated using a Cork lime render called Diason Diathonite Thermalite render. The bedrooms all had a 50mm build up, while the hallway had 30mm thickness due to the impact on the existing stairwell.
• Graphenstone paint was used throughout for its breathability.
• The insulation thicknesses were increased such that the U values achieved for the roof, ground floors and any new walls were above regulation standards.
• Provision has been made for a car charging socket to the front garden.
• Provision has been made for PV solar panels on the roof in the future.

Credits ...
• Architect : Nikki Blustin www.blustindesign.com
• Interior Designer : Josephine Lecoufle-Vinet JLV-Design.co.uk
• Structural Engineers : Conisbee www.conisbee.co.uk
• Main Contractor : Structum www.structum.co.uk
• ASHP and UFH: Elite Renewables www.eliterenewables.co.uk
• Diason Diathonite application : Vitaliy Zakharchuk vitaliy@vsconstructionservices.com

photo credit: Matt Gamble (mattgamble.com)