Private House, Ilkley

Originally constructed in the 1960s by a Danish émigré teaching at the Architecture School at Leeds University, this single-storey brick house stands out in the quiet residential conservation area. Unlike the typical houses in this historic Yorkshire spa town, which are primarily built with millstone grit and sandstone, this house features brick construction, lightweight timber cladding, and large windows that open onto gardens on either side.

One of the most striking feature of the house was its perfectly flat blue roof, designed to retain water and cool the building in summer.

Over the years, the house saw several modifications: the garage was converted into a long, narrow bedroom with unique damp problems, a shed was added with its own lean-to, and a blockwork garage was built, blocking access to the shed. The roof had been overpainted and was cracking, and the house showed considerable wear and tear. Although the layout and room sizes were once practical and generous, they no longer met the needs of modern living.

The client wanted to remove the unsympathetic additions, extend the house, and connect the garage to the main house in a sympathetic style. Proposed internal changes include creating a larger kitchen with an attached dining area, a more spacious living area, a home office, a hobby room, and guest quarters.

A first-floor extension, set back from the principal elevation and accessed by a double-height stairwell, provides generous new bedrooms, dressing rooms, and bathrooms.

Plans to upgrade the house include improving insulation (for the roof, walls, and floor), updating the electrical system, and installing underfloor heating. The existing rotten windows will be replaced with new composite double-glazed windows and doors. Additionally, new timber rainscreen cladding will be installed on both the existing house and the new extensions.

Interior Design:
Lister + Lister

Structural Engineers:
Holdgate Consulting

Arboriculturists:
Welch Design

Environmental Consultants:
Civic

Contractors:
Most Construction