21/06/2026
🏡 有時候，一條排水管就足以改變整個設計方案。
夏天一向都是工程施工最繁忙的季節，最近有幾個住宅擴建項目都陸續開始施工。今次想和大家分享其中一個剛剛開工的側邊擴建 (side extension) 項目。
最初業主的想法其實很直接，希望在後花園位置興建一個 4 米深的後擴建，擴大廚房及家庭活動空間。不過在第一次到現場site visit時，我留意到屋後有一條主要公共排水管經過，而且位置非常接近擬建擴建範圍。
其後查排水公司紀錄後，確認如果按照原方案興建，便需要申請 Building Over Agreement。雖然技術上並非不可行，但無論是申請時間、施工安排還是整體成本，都會有所增加。在分析過業主的實際需求後，我提出了一個不同的方向：改為興建側邊擴建。
有趣的是，這個方案不但避開了排水管帶來的限制，更能夠達到業主原本希望改善生活空間的目標，甚至效果比原來更理想。
原本面積不大的廚房被搬到新extension部分，並結合開open kitchen設計，令整個家庭活動空間變得更加寬敞。新增的天窗將自然光帶到室內深處，令空間感大大提升。同時，新的布局亦讓車庫能夠直接與住宅內部連接，日常使用更加方便。最重要的是，原有位置騰出了空間，可以在地下層增設一個洗手間，對於家庭聚會或有客人來訪時都十分實用。
很多人以為建築設計只是將業主想要的東西畫出來，但其實設計往往是從場地限制開始。排水管、結構、法規、預算、施工難度，每一個條件都會影響最終方案。而建築師的工作，就是在這些限制之中，找出最適合業主生活方式的解決方案。
你覺得這個改動值得嗎？如果是你，你會選擇後擴建還是側邊擴建呢？
🏡 Sometimes, a single drainage pipe can completely change a design proposal.
Summer is always one of the busiest times of the year for construction projects, and several of our residential extensions have recently started on site. Today I'd like to share one of them – a side extension project that has just commenced construction.
The homeowner's original plan was straightforward: to build a 4-metre rear extension to create a larger kitchen and family living space. However, during my initial site visit, I noticed that a public sewer ran very close to the proposed extension area.
After checking the water authority records, we confirmed that the original proposal would require a Building Over Agreement. While this is certainly achievable, it would add additional costs, approval time, and construction complexity to the project.
After reviewing the family's requirements in more detail, I suggested an alternative approach: a side extension instead.
Interestingly, this solution not only avoided the drainage constraints but also achieved the homeowner's original goals even more effectively.
The existing kitchen, which was relatively small for the family's needs, has been relocated into the new extension and combined with an open-plan dining area, creating a much larger and more sociable family space. New rooflights bring natural daylight deep into the interior, significantly improving the sense of openness and connection to the garden.
The revised layout also allows the existing garage to be connected directly to the house, making it far more practical for everyday use. Perhaps most importantly, relocating the kitchen has freed up space within the original footprint, allowing a new ground-floor bathroom to be added – a valuable feature for both family life and visiting guests.
Many people think architectural design is simply about drawing what the client asks for. In reality, good design often starts with understanding the site's constraints. Drainage routes, structural considerations, planning requirements, regulations, budget, and buildability all influence the final solution.
The role of an architect is to navigate these challenges and find the solution that works best for the way a family actually lives.
What do you think of this design change? Would you have chosen a rear extension or a side extension?
曼城建築佬
#加建擴建 #曼城
