Danny Morgan
Posted: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 12:30 pm

Award-winning Welsh designers Hyde + Hyde Architects may have set a new standard in Wales for quality building conversions with the completion of a striking, contemporary basement extension for a four storey period town house overlooking Swansea Bay. ‘Pinewood’ exemplifies the sort of deep thought processes, and building detailing, that Hyde + Hyde are getting a reputation for becoming so good at putting into their projects.
The raw material was unpromising – as is so often the case – and the transformation was therefore all the more dramatic. A neglected and virtually abandoned area of the house has become the client’s favourite room.
The client wanted to maximise the building’s capacity for beautiful views – after all that is much of what Swansea Bay is about. There was also a requirement for simplicity, storage, a guest area and flexibility of use. Hyde and Hyde simplified the structure and then ensured that the detail was warm and engineered carefully for ease of use. 
After careful reconfiguration the existing ground floor south wall was removed to reveal panoramic views to the Bay and Devon in the distance. This dramatically altered the perception of internal space and the connection to the outside. A substantial amount of new space was created.
The function of the main south facing room can be adapted according to the specific furniture used. Atmosphere and colour are affected by the amount of light entering through the glazed end wall. The spaces seem even larger than they are. The creation of a guest suite, in an area that can be separated off, provides privacy and limits the disruption that even the most welcome house guests can bring.
Hyde + Hyde also designed the handmade staircase that has become a delightful piece of furniture in its own right. Furthermore, the wooden wall slats help to link all the internal spaces and lead the eye to and from the external spaces.