As part of a major refurbishment of a semi-derelict four-bedroom home and adjoining coach house, Adam and Sarah Johnson saw the opportunity to add an 83m² rear extension that includes a kitchen and open plan living area.
To help create the industrial look they wanted they chose steel windows and doors from Steel Window Association Member, Monk Metal Windows.
When the Johnson's, who have two children, bought the 150-year-old property in Harborne, a suburb of Birmingham, they were keen to develop some of the design ideas that they had gained developing The Plough at Harborne, the pub that they also own in the village. One of the trends they had noticed in bars and restaurants, particularly in London, was the use of steel windows and doors.
The couple's architect, Matt Lucas, and their interior designer, Melony Spencer, worked with them to incorporate these and to achieve the appropriate look and proportions for their new home, in conjunction with Monk Metal Windows who produced a detailed working drawing.
Monk subsequently manufactured and installed a 3.7m wide by 1.6m high window together with two screens containing windows and doors measuring nearly 3.7m wide and 2.7m and 3.1m high respectively. Fabricated from W20 sections and polyester powder coated in RAL 9005 matt black, the screens were glazed with traditional small pane ‘Georgian' 16mm high performance double glazed units with a centre pane U-value of 1.2Wm²k.
The window unit provides ventilation and a view out above the kitchen sink while the larger of the two screens stands alongside in the main living area. The second screen is installed in the coach house, which is at a lower level and will, one day, accommodate a more ‘adult' area with an office, lounge area and dining room. An additional internal steel screen has also been installed to divide the kitchen from the rest of the house.
Along with the steel windows, bare internal brickwork, a polished concrete floor that incorporates underfloor heating and polished concrete kitchen work surfaces cast in situ, all contribute to the industrial feel.
Adam Johnson comments: "Monk has done a very, very good job. They've been great, incredibly helpful and professional, delivering on time and to cost. I was able to be involved in ensuring that the windows were exactly what we wanted by being invited down to see the progress of the production. The fitters were absolutely brilliant. The windows work perfectly and the white render on the exterior of the property offsets the black powder coated finish of the steel well."
