The proposed extension of a non-listed existing building of mud-bricks into a three-member family home with contemporary need, is located in an area adjacent to the Venetian walls of Nicosia. The plot includes a larger existing building consisting of 2 semi-detached houses but the proposal is limited to only one. The need to maintain the existing envelope of the building arises to prevent the planning authorities to increase the setback of the new proposal from the street edge if the building is demolished .
The existing building was divided into four main rooms with the south area as the main one. All the internal dividing mud-brick walls are removed and the south wall that surrounds the main entrance is replaced by glazing allowing the sunlight to penetrate the open plan ground floor of the existing building during the winter months. The existing timber roof structure and tiles are removed. A skylight is inserted following the geometry of the eaves separating, the existing building from the new addition, both structurally as well as visually. Due to the removal of existing partitions and unification of the internal ground floor space the shell is reinforced and new foundation with steel structural elements holding the upper floor addition is inserted. Programmatically the private spaces as bedrooms and restrooms are moved upstairs leaving all the communal areas to the ground floor. Although the existing entrance remains, is converted into access the southern garden and pool, moving the main entrance from the busy main road at the south to the east quiet off-road.