The normalisation of single storey basements as the 21st century version of the loft conversion

A report authored by Roger Burrows , Stephen Graham & Alexander from The School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape, Newcastle University, entitled ‘Bunkering down? The geography of elite residential basement development in London‘ asserts that basement excavation has become highly normalised throughout London.

Refreshingly the report sets out that the majority of basements are dug by middle class professionals and not by oligarchs.

Lead author, Roger Burrows, comment to The Guardian “What we’ve seen is a normalisation of single-storey basements as the 21st-century version of the loft conversion.”

That too is our experience of working on London basement excavations: most of them are simply about making a house fit for a modern family.

Given the level of house prices and stamp duty excavating a basement is still the most cost effective means of securing a large home. One of our clients recently commented  that the stamp duty cost of moving would in itself pay for the cost of the basement shell and core.

Given the massively increased cost of loft conversions basements are now often cheaper, on a square meter basis, than loft conversions.

OLBC can help you with all your basement design, planning and construction needs.