London-based studio McLaren Excell recently added a floating loft to a renovated holiday home in Dorset, England. While old buildings can be converted into beautiful new homes, these spaces do not always have enough room for separate living areas. These architects found a creative way to maximize space in a converted schoolhouse.
The 'Merrydown' building is a former Victorian schoolhouse that now functions as a holiday home. The original building featured a monastic layout that was not conducive to a residential property. In order to create separate spaces within the home, the architects added a floating loft above the main living area. The loft was created by taking advantage of the unused space above the original ceiling. To give the room a greater level of privacy, the architects also added wooden hatches that can be folded shut to close off the space.
Floating Loft Inserts
This Holiday Home Features a Hidden Loft Above the Main Living Area
Trend Themes
1. Maximized Space - The architects' creative use of a floating loft demonstrates the trend of maximizing space in small homes.
2. Flexible Design - The addition of wooden hatches that can close off the loft shows the trend of flexible and adaptable living spaces.
3. Renovated Buildings - The renovation of the Victorian schoolhouse highlights the trend of repurposing old buildings for modern residential use.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture and Interior Design - Architects and interior designers can leverage the trend of maximized space and flexible design to create innovative living solutions.
2. Real Estate and Property Development - Developers can tap into the trend of repurposing renovated buildings to offer unique and attractive residential options.
3. Home Improvement and Renovation - The trend of repurposing old buildings and adding floating lofts presents opportunities for home improvement professionals to offer innovative design solutions.