Mannering Road, Shawlands

Paul and Seonaid had lived in their house in the South Side of Glasgow for many years and raised their family there. They were attached to the quirks of their unique Victorian house but ready to add a new chapter to the life of the house.

Having previously opened the house’s ground floor with the removal of some walls, the house had a unique character that Paul and Seonaid had made the most of. One of the main frustrations that hadn’t been solved was a small kitchen accessed through a narrow doorway and a general disconnection between the house and the garden, an evening sun trap they regularly used.

There was little more to be done with the existing floor plan, and the only way to add a larger kitchen and connection to the garden was to build it out. The design we arrived at was one that was small in footprint but big in impact. A new kitchen sits within the garden and is connected by generous glazing, and the extension of a pergola structure right to the back of the garden. Raised beds surround the kitchen window for a herb garden within easy reach.

Adjacent to the new kitchen is a new rear entrance with storage and allowing access to a utility room and toilet taking the place of the former kitchen.

The interiors have been crafted from Douglas fir and oak panelling, creating a rich scheme that nods to the home’s history but is sharp and contemporary in its detail. A bespoke storage wall is formed, integrating a wood-burning stove for the winter evenings and creating opportunities for Paul and Seonaid to display their sculptures and artwork.

The extension will create a new connection to the garden and bring light into a dark corner whilst improving the everyday function of the house with additional storage and utility spaces. Along with significant cosmetic upgrades to the house, the work will be transformational.

Completion Spring 2024.