Our Dukes Avenue project is featured in September's Grand Designs Magazine. "A loft extension has been hidden behind the retained brick gable end of the roof of this Victorian home in west London. Inglis Badrashi Loddo designed a shared space for the children leading onto a pair of bedrooms. Lined in painted timber boarding, the loft is part of a major refurbishment that included an expanded basement and small extension"
The article also features an interview with one of our Directors, Kim Loddo -
"Take an eco-friendly approach with this advice from Kim Loddo, director of architect Inglis Badrashi Loddo (ibla.co.uk)
Reuse materials where possible. My practice has completed many projects where we kept parts of a roof, or recycled original roof tiles, trusses and floorboards. Carefully assess each element: can it be retained, repaired and adapted? If a complete replacement or redesign is needed then it should be done as sustainably as possible.
Choose the best-performing glazing that your budget allows. The Window Energy Rating (WER) tells you how energy-efficient windows are. Options for double or triple glazing include inertgas between the panes and low-emissivity coatings to let in light and heat but reduce the amount of warmth that escapes.
One of the most effective things you can do is increase the level of insulation. If you are retiling, add insulation over the existing structure to createa warm space. A good pitched roofing board, for example from Kingspan (kingspan.com) or Celotex (celotex.co.uk), should be paired with a breathable membrane installed over it and under the tiles. If you are not replacing the roof covering, install insulation between and under the rafters, and apply insulated plasterboard to provide a skimmable ceiling.
Installing underfloor heating, either between or over existing joists, will increase the eco-efficiency of the space. Intelligent heating controls and draught-proofing may improve the environmental performance of the whole house.
A simple skylight that can be opened over the stair will maximise airflow and create stack-effect natural cooling. This is a cost-effective, low-tech and eco-efficient element, optimising comfort and bringing light into the heart of the home."
