A modern loft-style room with a high, wooden vaulted ceiling. Sunlight streams through large floor-to-ceiling windows at the far end, revealing a small outdoor patio. Inside, there is a red leather sofa with a white throw, an abstract colorful painting on the wall, a woven hanging chair with a person working on a laptop, and a person standing near the window.

AD++ HOUSE

A two-storey extension in a conservation area in York that includes a glazed and elevated living space to enjoy the evening sun

A large tree with orange and yellow leaves in front of a modern house on a sunny autumn day. Two people are walking on the driveway.

The project includes a large, elevated living space heavily glazed to the west, to enjoy the evening sun, with a red stair leading to the studio at ground level.

The family who live in the home have a long tradition of working in the seed trading business. Our extension connects the home to the adjoining landscape and offers a place for planting. An external water features create a sense of place and relaxation. The roof cantilevers a significant distance to cut and carve the consistent pitched roof form to allow light and views to and from the space. As the sun tracks around in the afternoon the space is filled with light and the shadows of the leaves from the surrounding trees.

Modern house with glass addition, a woman in a white dress walking outside, a parked white car, autumn leaves on the ground, trees with some remaining leaves, and a clear blue sky.

A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION

The project is constructed primarily from sustainably sourced timber and clad in recycled zinc. Zinc uses the least amount of ores out of all non-ferrous metal cladding solution – 1/4 that of aluminium and 1/2 that of copper and steel. Additionally, zinc requires low levels of maintenance during its life cycle and is a self finish material that ages with beauty, omitting the need for continuous redecoration.

3D schematic of a small house or building with detailed interior and exterior walls, roof, and foundation, shown in a wireframe style.
A person with long hair standing on a balcony, surrounded by trees with green and autumn-colored leaves. A modern building with a sloped roof and blue-tinted glass windows is visible next to the balcony.

“Thanks to Coffey Architects, we have added a striking, modern addition onto a house. We have enjoyed working with them, and winning two RIBA awards is one hell of a bonus!”

- The client

LIGHT AND SHADOWS

The pitched roof is cut and folded to create a tension between the cantilever and glazing, allowing south sunlight to penetrate deep into the house. The self-finish zinc cladding both reflects and contrasts with the surrounding trees.

Modern house with a glass and metal structure, surrounded by trees with autumn leaves.

A CONNECTION

The addition extends the existing living area at first floor; glazing visually connects it to the landscape beyond an adjacent retaining wall. This new living space is linked to a studio/guest room below, via a 1m2 bold red stair.

Woman in white dress standing inside a modern house, looking out through a large glass window at plants and trees outside.
Modern house with glass balcony and open glass sliding door revealing interior staircase
Interior view of a modern room with a sloped ceiling, featuring a glass door leading to an outdoor patio with potted plants, trees, and a black cat walking on the wooden deck.
Modern living room with vaulted wooden ceiling, large glass sliding doors, a person standing and looking outside, another person working on a laptop in a woven pod, red sofa with a white throw blanket, colorful abstract painting on the wall.

LOCATION

Southbank, York, UK

SIZE

506 sqft

STATUS

Completed in 2012

CLIENT

Private

AWARDS

/ Blue Ribbon Award, Ideal Home of the Year - won
/ RIBA Best Small Project Award in Yorkshire Award - won
/ RIBA White Rose Yorkshire Award - won
/ RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize - shortlisted