LOFT CONVERSION
Compared to university projects, work projects are more challenging due to the
involvement of real clients.This project was built up taking into
consideration every detail of the clients' vision. Their main request was to convert the
loft into a two bedrooms flat, with a spacious games room (pool, cards, etc.), which opens
into a modern balcony that faces the sea. Since there was no proper access to the
loft, some changes were made on the first floor, in order to create space for a staircase.
Having the stairs to arrive in the center of the loft space, and meet the 2 m headroom
Building Regulations requirement, was an ideal solution. The final version of the
drawings shows that the stairs arrive almost in the center, creating a hallway that connects
all the rooms.
The design was thought, firstly, to meet the client's requirements and secondly, to function.
There is a single bedroom, behind the stairs, a hobby room (our clients' required a
room where they could sew, and spend time on the computer), a spacious enough bathroom, a double
bedroom and a games room. The focus was on the games room and balcony.
involvement of real clients.This project was built up taking into
consideration every detail of the clients' vision. Their main request was to convert the
loft into a two bedrooms flat, with a spacious games room (pool, cards, etc.), which opens
into a modern balcony that faces the sea. Since there was no proper access to the
loft, some changes were made on the first floor, in order to create space for a staircase.
Having the stairs to arrive in the center of the loft space, and meet the 2 m headroom
Building Regulations requirement, was an ideal solution. The final version of the
drawings shows that the stairs arrive almost in the center, creating a hallway that connects
all the rooms.
The design was thought, firstly, to meet the client's requirements and secondly, to function.
There is a single bedroom, behind the stairs, a hobby room (our clients' required a
room where they could sew, and spend time on the computer), a spacious enough bathroom, a double
bedroom and a games room. The focus was on the games room and balcony.
EXISTING / PROPOSED ELEVATIONS
The placement of the stairs had a massive impact on the design, as it led to the
formation of a unusual shaped room (the games room). Trying to use this outcome as
an advantage, the games room was divided into two spaces, a possible breakfast area and
the actual games room, spacious enough for a pool table.
Five-panels sliding door open up into the balcony.
The balcony was designed as a key feature of the building, as it highlights an outlet towards the sea. Enclosed with a glass
railing, the balcony offers a modern air to the building. Moreover, the weatherboarding on the walls and the decking floor outline the
contemporary look of the balcony, creating a clean, simple space, perfect for relaxation.
formation of a unusual shaped room (the games room). Trying to use this outcome as
an advantage, the games room was divided into two spaces, a possible breakfast area and
the actual games room, spacious enough for a pool table.
Five-panels sliding door open up into the balcony.
The balcony was designed as a key feature of the building, as it highlights an outlet towards the sea. Enclosed with a glass
railing, the balcony offers a modern air to the building. Moreover, the weatherboarding on the walls and the decking floor outline the
contemporary look of the balcony, creating a clean, simple space, perfect for relaxation.
EXISTING / PROPOSED PLANS
UPGRADE OF PITCHED ROOF
(imposed load max 0.75 kN/m² - dead load max 0.75 kN/m²)
Vented roof – pitch 22-45°
To achieve U-value 0.18 W/m²K
Roof construction - 47 x 150mm Grade C24 rafters at max 400mm centres max
span 3.47m. Insulation to be 100mm Xtratherm Thin-R between rafters and
45mm under rafters. Fix 12.5mm foil backed plasterboard (joints staggered)
and 5mm skim coat of finishing plaster to the underside of all ceilings using
galvanized plasterboard nails. Maintain a 50mm air gap above insulation to ventilate roof.
Provide opening at eaves level at least equal to continuous strip 25mm wide and opening at
ridge equal to continuous strip 5mm wide to promote ventilation or provide equivalent high
and low level tile vents in accordance with manufactures details.
DORMER CONSTRUCTION (balcony walls)
To achieve minimum U Value of 0.28W/m²K
Render finish (to comply with BS EN 13914-1:2005) - applied in 3 coats at least 20mm thick to
stainless steel render lath. Render should be finished onto an approved render stop. Render lath
fixed to vertical 25 x 50mm preservative treated battens to provide vented and drained cavity, Fixed to breathable membrane (having a vapour resistance of not more than 0.6 MNs/g) and 12mm
thick W.B.P external quality plywood sheathing (or other approved).
Ply fixed to treated timber frame studs constructed using 150mm x 50mm head and sole plates and
vertical studs (with noggins) at 400mm centres or to structural engineer's details and calculations.
Studs infilled with 95mm Kingspan TW55 insulation and over boarded with 12.5mm Knauf wall
board with vapour check. Finish with 3mm skim coat of finishing plaster. All junctions to have
water tight construction, seal all perimeter joints with tape internally and with silicon sealant
externally. Dormer walls built off existing masonry walls to have galvanised mild steel straps
placed at 900 centres. Dormer cheeks within 1m of the boundary to be lined externally with
12.5mm Supalux and 12.5mm Gyproc FireLine board internally to achieve 1/2 hour fire resistance
from both sides. (Provide an additional 15mm pur insulation over studs to prevent cold bridging if
required
SAFETY GLAZING
All glazing in critical locations to be toughened or laminated safety glass to BS 6206, BS
EN 14179 or BS EN ISO 12543-1:2011 and Part K (Part N in Wales) of the current building
regulations. i.e. within 1500mm above floor level in doors and side panels within 300mm
of door opening and within 800mm above floor level in windows
Vented roof – pitch 22-45°
To achieve U-value 0.18 W/m²K
Roof construction - 47 x 150mm Grade C24 rafters at max 400mm centres max
span 3.47m. Insulation to be 100mm Xtratherm Thin-R between rafters and
45mm under rafters. Fix 12.5mm foil backed plasterboard (joints staggered)
and 5mm skim coat of finishing plaster to the underside of all ceilings using
galvanized plasterboard nails. Maintain a 50mm air gap above insulation to ventilate roof.
Provide opening at eaves level at least equal to continuous strip 25mm wide and opening at
ridge equal to continuous strip 5mm wide to promote ventilation or provide equivalent high
and low level tile vents in accordance with manufactures details.
DORMER CONSTRUCTION (balcony walls)
To achieve minimum U Value of 0.28W/m²K
Render finish (to comply with BS EN 13914-1:2005) - applied in 3 coats at least 20mm thick to
stainless steel render lath. Render should be finished onto an approved render stop. Render lath
fixed to vertical 25 x 50mm preservative treated battens to provide vented and drained cavity, Fixed to breathable membrane (having a vapour resistance of not more than 0.6 MNs/g) and 12mm
thick W.B.P external quality plywood sheathing (or other approved).
Ply fixed to treated timber frame studs constructed using 150mm x 50mm head and sole plates and
vertical studs (with noggins) at 400mm centres or to structural engineer's details and calculations.
Studs infilled with 95mm Kingspan TW55 insulation and over boarded with 12.5mm Knauf wall
board with vapour check. Finish with 3mm skim coat of finishing plaster. All junctions to have
water tight construction, seal all perimeter joints with tape internally and with silicon sealant
externally. Dormer walls built off existing masonry walls to have galvanised mild steel straps
placed at 900 centres. Dormer cheeks within 1m of the boundary to be lined externally with
12.5mm Supalux and 12.5mm Gyproc FireLine board internally to achieve 1/2 hour fire resistance
from both sides. (Provide an additional 15mm pur insulation over studs to prevent cold bridging if
required
SAFETY GLAZING
All glazing in critical locations to be toughened or laminated safety glass to BS 6206, BS
EN 14179 or BS EN ISO 12543-1:2011 and Part K (Part N in Wales) of the current building
regulations. i.e. within 1500mm above floor level in doors and side panels within 300mm
of door opening and within 800mm above floor level in windows
