Exterior facelift/refresh - ideas/inspiration/recommendations...

[another20]

We are looking to do an exterior facelift/refresh on our detached MCM low slung, flat roofed home. Can anyone share links to a designer or architect who has or might undertake such a project. Would an architect undertake such work or is it more of a interior (exterior) designer remit?

You really need to look at work that's already been done in this area (Pinterest is great) and see whose stuff you like - then you will know whether you can just get a really good builder, or whether you need an architect. The latter will help you to think of things you wouldn't otherwise get to, but if you don't want to remodel the space at all, a builder may be fine.

Think about insulation as you do it - this could be a chance to reduce your heating bills!

I am only tweaking the internal layout - so no need for an architect for that part. It is the whole exterior that needs a good face lift - will need structural landscaping as well to tie it all together. I do want a professional eye on it tho - not confident just working on my own with a builder.

This is a really tricky one, and I'd be interested to see the answers you receive.

In my experience, one thing architects are really, really bad at is the transition from house to surrounding garden, where "garden" is understood as an area with planting in it, and not simply as a piece of hard landscaping with something repeated all the way down. I actually gave up with our practice's efforts, which were awful, and did the transition spaces myself, after spending hours and hours looking at the external surroundings of every modernist house I could find in libraries.

With an external renovation, you are right at the frontier of two disciplines, really: you may want the expertise of an architect on what you can do that is sympathetic to the character of your building (which sounds amazing) but upgrades the structure in ways that give you what you want, AND the experience of a landscape architect of some kind. But two trades will mean greater expense.

I think a lot depends on what you want to do with your renovation - whether you're really looking to conserve everything exactly as is and simply to upgrade materials, or whether you're looking to take elements and creatively reimagine them a bit more, creating a kind of sympathetic hybrid between MCM and now.

Thanks guilty. I had initially thought to definitely avoid a "contemporary" face lift as I wanted to avoid falling into the yellowy render and grey window update that I have seen a lot of recenty and I think will date. So I veered towards restoration but that would be limited as it is a bit drab - so your sympathetic hybrid sounds spot on but I think requires skill to achieve - hence the need for a professional. Good point about the skill sets of landscapers and architects - although I think there are landscape architects. The more I think about it the success will be in the landscaping as the house is v simple and there is only so much you can do with it. Think it really needs to be anchored and dressed by the landscaping -- now to find a landscaper with MCM skills......!

It really depends a bit on what you have. If you've got a listed MCM structure by Le Corb, or a vernacular house that is beautiful and distinctive and of its time, it would be a great shame to mess it around too much. (I think UrbanSplash learned this lesson with Park Hill - Phase 2 of that regeneration is going to tone down on the rather extensive and inappropriate changes made in Phase 1). If, however, you have a fairly undistinguished building that isn't distinctive, then to be honest there is an awful lot you can to do modernise it, and bring things like insulation in line without losing what works about your building. Have a look on Pinterest for "mid century renovation exterior" - there are some lovely ideas using all kinds of cladding (not just cream render!)

Landscape architects are highly trained hard landscapers, not architects - they'd be ideal for managing the transition from your house to your garden, but most aren't trained as architects to do internal or external remodelling work. To be honest, if funds will stretch, you might benefit from both. I know it's a big expense, but honestly a GOOD architect (and it will require work and research to find a good one with the right kind of aesthetic for a project like yours - you do not want someone who does twee brick-built extensions with UPVC!) will deliver something that is far more transformative for you than any technician can.

www.backtofrontexteriordesign.com/our-work/

These people are often recommended

Thanks guilty - sound like you have been down a similar route to me....feel free PM and off load any links you might have.

The house is not listed, v simple design by a UK architect known for his commercial/industrial facilities. He did a handful of residential homes in the 1950s. My research shows that it is very much influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian homes but on a budget and the materials used are not great. The original plans incorporate two courtyards (front and back) so landscaping / transitional space was key. Think I need to invest in both disciplines - or find that rare architect that can do it.

I could go the "restoration" route and look to use the materials in the images below - or could go for an update and use more modern materials and colours. Feel like I am obliged to do the former (safer?) but really my personal pref would be to go for a modern palette. Anxious not to mess it up.

www.google.co.uk/search?q=frank+lloyd+wright+usonian&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwja0YLd1cfWAhWGL1AKHWFoCEoQ_AUICigB&biw=1250&bih=606

.....and then I get all distracted and think what I really, really, really want is a Palm Springs or Miami beach type house with a palm tree growing through a circular hole cut the porch roof.......

Newts - thanks for that link - will take a look.

Bloody hell, it's not a Robert Townsend house, is it??!?!?!

If so, you definitely, definitely need to take good care of it. I mean, MCM work is underappreciated in terms of conservation at the moment, but his stuff is absolutely classic and needs handling with great finesse and care, definitely conservation mode rather than imaginative recreation!

Are you a member of the Modernist Society? They may be able to help.

I'm so jealous, btw. I just have your absolutely bog standard, mass produced 1930s semi, to which I'm adding a modernist extension.

No its not a Robert Townsend, v similar design but budget version! I will look at the Modernist Society. Would love to see your MCM extension & landscape plans. Might also approach The Modern House and Wowhouse for ideas.

It sounds like you have something really unique and special , I'm very . There should still be ways of improving the spec and modernising without destroying what you have! You just want a sensitive architect rather than one of the ones that goes in with a heavy-handed approach.

In terms of landscaping, my house is on a very sloping site. The new extension is open plan, with a kitchen and a garden room at the back of the house. However, due to a level change, we can make the garden room 1.5 times the height of the kitchen, so it actually sits below the level of the kitchen units. There will be tall glazing at the back of this room, and I'm transitioning to the garden (another drop) with a pond and a walkway over the top, which will hopefully look something like this picture when finished (only mine is raised up to be level with the floor, not on the ground and then to have a step down). Under the other (higher) window, I'm putting a logstore and a paved area for DH's hosta collection. The rest of the landscaping I will need to redo once these are in place and I can see and feel how they work - I would like it to feel really leafy, so I am thinking some slender young trees.