Oxford Mid-Century house, retrofit and extension

Living Through a Deep Retrofit: Progress on Our Oxford Project.

We are delighted to share an update on the progress of our Oxford project, a comprehensive retrofit and extension of a 1960s mid-century home.

The project combines a deep retrofit of the existing house with the addition of 97m² of new accommodation and garaging. The aim is to transform both the performance and functionality of the property while retaining the character of the original building.

The retrofit works include upgrading the entire thermal envelope of the house, breaking out the existing concrete ground floor to install a fully insulated floor with underfloor heating, fitting an air source heat pump and a mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system, and installing solar PV panels with battery storage. Together, the solar array is expected to generate approximately 9,200kWh of electricity each year.

Alongside these improvements, the project includes the construction of a double garage, two single storey extensions, a complete reorganisation of the internal layout and the relocation of the staircase.

Undertaking work of this scale on any property would be a major challenge. However, when the homeowner is acting as a self-builder, has a young family and continues to live in the house throughout construction, the task becomes even more impressive.

The key to making the project work has been the careful phasing of the construction programme. The design was developed to ensure that some form of kitchen, bathroom, sleeping and living accommodation would remain available at all times, allowing the family to continue living on site while work progresses.

Phase One is now nearing completion. This stage has included upgrading the floor, roof, windows and doors of the existing living room, removing the original chimney and constructing a new 37m² studio and home gym complete with its own shower room. At the same time, a new double garage has been built, providing valuable storage space during the construction process.

Once Phase One is complete, the family will move into the newly finished living room and studio accommodation. This will allow work to begin on the remainder of the house, including the creation of a 59m² open-plan kitchen and living space, the conversion of part of the integral garage into a utility and plant room, and the reconfiguration of the staircase and bathroom layouts.

With the most challenging phase now approaching completion, it is exciting to see the project beginning to take shape and the long-term vision for the house becoming a reality.

Project Information

Location: Oxford
Project Type: Deep Retrofit, Extensions and Double Garage
Status: Phase One nearing completion
Floor Area: 319m²
Planning Authority: Vale of White Horse District Council

Key Features

• Deep retrofit of an existing 1960s mid-century house
• 97m² of additional accommodation and garaging
• 59m² open-plan kitchen and living space
• 37m² studio/home gym with shower room
• 40m² double garage
• Air source heat pump
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
• Solar PV array with battery storage
• Upgraded thermal envelope throughout
• Phased construction allowing continuous occupation by the family