Duration
12 Weeks
Budget
£110,000
Area Added
55 m²
Type
Full Renovation
Architect
In-House Architect
What the Client Needed
A retired couple in a 1930s Richmond semi had lived with the original layout for 25 years. The separate kitchen, dining room, and lounge felt isolated and impractical. They wanted a full ground-floor renovation that unified the three rooms into one open-plan living space with bi-fold access to their mature garden — without any extension footprint.
Before & After
Key Architectural Features
- 4-panel aluminium bi-fold doors
- Underfloor heating system
- Open-plan 55 m² living space
- Relocated central kitchen
Our Workmanship
To achieve the completely unified 55m² space without internal pillars, a massive heavy-duty 6-metre structural steel universal beam was craned in and bolted into place, contrasting beautifully when painted matte black against the white ceiling. The premium 4-panel aluminium bi-fold doors feature a flawlessly flush threshold track, demanding millimeter-perfect leveling between the indoor engineered oak and outdoor porcelain paving. Below the surface, a state-of-the-art underfloor heating manifold was expertly routed to eliminate radiators entirely, while the central island showcases immaculate custom joinery with precision-cut mitred quartz waterfall edges.
What We Delivered
We removed two load-bearing walls, installed a 6-metre universal beam, and reconfigured the entire ground floor into a single 55 m² living space. New 4-panel aluminium bi-fold doors span the full rear elevation, and underfloor heating throughout replaced the old radiator system. The kitchen was relocated to the former dining room position, creating a natural cooking-entertaining-garden flow.
“We were nervous about removing two walls in a 1930s house, but APEX's structural engineer explained everything clearly. The result is beyond what we imagined — it feels like a completely new home.”
Peter & Linda K.
Richmond, TW9