It is not always about a large extension

Street facing side extension in a conservation area unlocking internal rearrangement. Full refit and garage conversion.

Why is this special?

Because it not always about the size of your extension but how it makes the best use of rest of the floor space you have. Because even in a conservation area extending towards the street may be possible if you keep it discrete.

The Challenge

The house is on a corner plot in a conservation area. The client had been advised that any further extension would be very difficult to achieve. But the existing kitchen at the side made no sense and they wanted a utility / boot room and a proper side entrance since they have a dog.

Our Solution

Designing the utility and back door extension very carefully to look like a part of the original house. Getting planning consent for this extra space then unlocked the old service rooms to become a big ‘heart of the house’ kitchen. Changing the roof profile to one based on the main house changed a long low and thin garage into a brightly lit office and gym with individually vaulted ceilings. Internal reconfiguration of the loft stairs and the upper floors provided a master bedroom suite with dressing room, additional bathrooms and bedrooms for the family.

The Results

The house footprint has changed very little, but careful reallocation of spaces has provided the cli-ent all they wanted and given a modern layout to a traditionally styled house. Ivy was stripped away and façade features restored making the house even more in keeping with its Conservation Area setting complemented by the internal colour palette.