Subterranean London: Fulfilling the capital’s basement boom
Basements come in all shapes and sizes. As Stockbridge works in desirable, high-value districts, we understand the paramount importance of avoiding any impacts on adjoining or neighbouring properties, as mistakes can be very costly.
Land in and around London comes at a great premium, especially in the most sought-after neighbourhoods, as is reflected in the demand for new basement construction and extension projects across the region.
And, as Stockbridge’s own portfolio shows, basements come in all shapes and sizes.
At the smaller end of the scale is the retrofit, in which excavation work occurs under the building footprint, and often while residents continue living in their home above.
Open excavations are at the other end of the scale, either for new build constructions, or where a basement is extending beyond the building footprint and below a garden, for instance.
And then, in addition to the basement design and construction itself, are the limitations posed by the close proximity of neighbouring buildings – especially those which adjoin the development site.
As Stockbridge works in desirable, high-value districts, we understand the paramount importance of avoiding any impacts on adjoining or neighbouring properties, as mistakes can be very costly.
It’s for this reason that Stockbridge works closely with planning professionals and surveyors, either as principal contractor or sub-contractor, on any basement project.
Stockbridge provides the complete design-and-build service for any basement, incorporating initial design, planning and preparation work, to temporary and structural work, waterproofing, fit-out and finishing.
If we’re brought in at the start of a retrofit or basement extension, we’ll survey the structure and fabric of any existing buildings to assess the project’s feasibility. This obviously also includes an assessment of any potential impacts on nearby properties.
Said Stockbridge’s Adeel Bhatti: “It’s important to be clear on a project’s feasibility and impacts right from the start, and we will always offer our assessment based on our experienced professionals’ findings.”
Two of our most delicate recent basement constructions formed part of shell-and-core projects, one for a luxury three-storey new-build townhouse within the Chelsea Conservation Area and the other a new apartment block in Munster Road, Fulham.
Built on the site of a garage, the Chelsea project involved excavating a new basement area that occupied the property’s entire footprint while protecting the foundations and walls of the two adjoining Georgian townhouses. The excavation itself was divided into several phases, to ensure all the necessary temporary works were in place.
All construction work was conducted on-site, with materials delivered to the site envelope via one access point during specific times of days.
Stockbridge’s work on both the Chelsea and Fulham projects was completed earlier this year, and is now in the latter stages of a two-storey apartment retrofit, including basement, in Primrose Gardens, Belsize Park – with residents continuing to live in the floors above.
The Stockbridge team has also recently completed two open excavations as part of multi-million pound shell-and-core projects on private Surrey estates. In addition to general living spaces, the schemes included bathrooms, a sauna, movie room, swimming pools and a gymnasium.
Added Mr Bhatti: “Today’s customers demand more ambitious construction solutions than might have been the case a couple of decades ago, and the growing scope and use of basements is very much part of this.
You can’t stand still in this business. We’re always looking to improve and provide our customers with effective new products and services. This is why we also provide specialist waterproofing solutions, for instance. This is what a modern design-and-build service look like.”
Des res redefined: Bespoke design boom reshaping London living
As home designs and services have become a standard part of the mass-market, so the demand for original design solutions has increased among discerning clients. Many now demand tailored, high-end features to create unique spatial designs that more closely reflect their individuality and tastes.
As home designs and services have become a standard part of the mass-market, so the demand for original design solutions has increased among discerning clients. Many now demand tailored, high-end features to create unique spatial designs that more closely reflect their individuality and tastes.
Today, clients want control over the technical specifications, shapes, colours and textures of big-ticket items, such as a kitchen or hand-crafted staircase, to the little touches that create subtle moods and effects, such as alcoves, patterned glazing and lighting. In this way, ‘bespoke design’ essentially refers to solutions tailored to a client’s individual requirements, and its popularity looks set to continue growing strongly.
Bespoke design elements now form a very prominent element of our own work, as is clear from our most recent projects in Chelsea, Belsize Park and Hampstead. For instance, staircases are becoming signature pieces, turning otherwise functional areas into distinctive spaces in their own right. In addition to stairwell dimensions and location of skylights, more clients will specify the materials and finishes for the stairs themselves.
Hand-crafted elements are very popular, creating a unique overall effect. A client might specify handrails hand-crafted from a specific wood, with the staircase finished off with Mediterranean-style ironwork and tiled risers. Specialist joinery work is now a feature right across the home, along with fine lacquer finishes, inlay detailing and the use of handpicked handles on furniture and doors. LED mood lighting is also commonly incorporated into coffered ceilings and picture rails.
Stockbridge’s loft conversions construction director, Adeel Bhatti, said: “We’re passionate about delivering on our clients’ vision, and we work with highly-skilled specialists to make it happen. Today, they’re increasingly looking for innovative design solutions that incorporate multiple materials – iron, steel and other metals, as well as wood, glass and acrylic.
So we work with the very best architects, metalworkers and stonemasons, carpenters and joiners, glaziers and glass manufacturers to produce the very best work. All are artisan or master craftsmen, experts in their field who can be trusted with even the most demanding and complex requirements.”
All of these elements have expanded the scope to create rare spaces and broad themes that can make a home distinctive, quirky and full of character, and today’s clients are much clearer on the wow factor they want from their property conversions, extensions and new-build projects. Stockbridge is very much part of this design boom, where innovative design comes as standard.
