Bungalow Conversion within Trafford, Cheshire by Moduloft

Simon and Helen approached Hunter Architects & Planners with a simple brief, but one that proved difficult to achieve technically and within their budget using traditional techniques but was one that ultimately that the Moduloft system was able to achieve.

The existing Cheshire Bungalow sat on a large plot and had been extended by previous owners although those extensions created a few inner rooms. Our clients sought additional bedroom accommodation, that while could be accommodated with further single-storey extensions, such extensions would have taken a substantial amount of the garden, which is a big part of what attracted our clients to the house, as well as causing issues with daylighting and views from the existing room.

The benefit of the Moduloft bungalow conversion system is such that additional accommodation, effectively via a loft conversion, can be easily provided without needing fundamental structural changes to the ground floor.

Planning permission was required for this particular Moduloft loft conversion as it substantially increased the perceived scale and massing and bulk of the property. Not every Moduloft loft conversion or bungalow conversion project would require planning permission as often many utilise the existing roof size and shape, without making substantial changes to the existing property. In addition, where changes are made, such Moduloft loft conversions can be undertaken using the properties existing permitted development allowances, including increasing the cubic capacity of the roof (depending upon whether the existing house is a terraced, semi-detached or detached property).

Building Regulations approval is required for such Moduloft loft conversions or bungalow conversions, including new staircases, the changes the thermal properties (insulation etc) of the roof as well as the structural alterations necessary to install the Moduloft system.
As Architects & Planning Consultants, Hunter Architects & Planners were able to design an appropriate scheme, which when presented to the Local Planning Authority, via a robust planning application including photomontage visuals, obtained planning approval at the first attempt.

The Moduloft loft conversion creates three additional bedrooms, including a Master Bedroom with en-suite and external balcony.

Access to the Moduloft loft conversion was facilitated by a new staircase, located within the existing heart of the bungalow, utilising under-used space accessed from the main hallway.

The moduloft system allowed the construction works to complete within a couple of days on this particular project and even then this was slower than would be typical of the Moduloft system as the weather was very poor on the day of the planned works.

Arriving on a series of trucks, the individual Moduloft panels, complete with roof lights, radiators, plumbing, windows and internally plastered, were delivered to site and craned on to the existing bungalow in sections. Once the first Moduloft panel was in-place, the remaining modular panels were easily positioned.

Once the individual Moduloft panels were in place, a small number of works were required on-site to complete the project, including the bungalow interlocking roof tiles, the fascias and guttering as well as internal staircase etc.

Photographs/Images © Hunter Architects & Planners