From sleek glass boxes to characterful oak frame extensions, this selection of projects shows the design diversity that’s possible for your wow factor sunroom
Contemporary glazed garden pavilion
This traditional house suffered from a lack of connection to the surrounding garden. The owners briefed CDC Studio to design a light-filled garden room to provide the seamless indoor-outdoor connection they desired. Glazed on three sides, this rear extension is the result. The ground-floor layout was redesigned so the extension connects to the reconfigured kitchen-diner, providing a calm and tranquil space for cooking and eating together.
“The pavilion functions differently to a standard conservatory as there is a thermally insulated and robust warm roof, which prevents summer overheating and winter heat loss,” says Delphine Dryer from CDC Studio. The roof is combined with an extended canopy to all sides of the addition, ensuring the high angle of the summer sun is kept out to prevent overheating, while the low angle of the winter sun flows straight in to help keep the space warm. “Thermally efficient glazing with solar control glass adds to the ability to reduce heat gain, and doors on opposite sides of the space allows for cross flow ventilation,” explains Delphine.
Material inspiration
The design for this glazed extension, by Turner Architects, was inspired by the works of John Prentice, the owner’s grandfather, an artist and engineer. The materials and colours used for the addition were chosen to harmonise with the colours and textural qualities of Prentice’s paintings, displayed throughout the house.
“The brief was to create additional floor area and link the kitchen to the rest of the living spaces without losing light in the second reception room,” says Paul Turner, a director at the practice. The main component of the extension’s design is a timber and concrete tree, with branches that extend across the back of the new kitchen to provide seats and an outdoor swing. The sunroom frames garden views for occupants during winter, while opening up to provide an unbroken connection between house and garden during summer.
“The specification of glass was very important on this project, to make sure we weren’t losing heat in the winter or overheating in the summer,” says Paul. “While the concrete structure looks like a mass, it’s thermally broken with insulation sandwiched between two layers of concrete.”
Oak orangery
This capacious 8m x 6m bespoke orangery is the work of Prime Oak. The owners of the house wanted a sense of connection to the outdoors as well as a spacious new dining area bathed in natural light. This handsome oak frame structure ticks both of these boxes thanks to the overhead lantern
