DESIGN DESCRIPTION
The intent of the design is to transform an old small detached Villa into an open and spacious habitable space. It is proposed to retain main bearing walls to minimize construction time and cost and re-create the house with more sustainable and contemporary design. Design cues have been taken from the images suggested by the client.

According to Italy law of “Piano casa”, the existing volume can be increased by 20%. This has influenced the transformation of the House. Rooms are designed according to the extension of volume and also incorporating the existing furniture which has to be reused i.e. Kitchen, Bookcase and Chaise lounge.

Design approach: At the Ground Floor, an entry porch is proposed which would give an entrance from the lawn to the redesigned living space. The Living and Dining is combined space that has a continuous glass wall which gives a view of the garden and also provides natural light in the space. The kitchen is accessed from the dining room an also has an independent entry from outside. The existing kitchen cabinet layout has been maintained though some of the overhead storage counters will have to be dismantled. A storage pantry has been provided under the staircase. An island counter with high stools is also proposed in the kitchen for informal dining for the family. In addition, a guest room is attached to the living area. The toilet has been provided at the existing position with more privacy to users.

The first floor is accessed from a straight flight which leads to a landing. The height of the ground floor has been reduce to 2.7 m (apart from garage and toilet area where original roof slab is retained). This along with the increase in volume by 20% gives a minimum height of almost 2.1 m on the first floor. Two options have been proposed for the first floor layout, one with two large bedrooms and one with one large and two small bedrooms with a shared toilet. Access to the terrace has been provided from two of the bedrooms in both options. The introduction of the dormer windows/door and the Velux windows will lead to major changes in the existing roofs while allowing a lot of natural light to enter the first floor from the roof and the walls.