Brief
Our clients wanted to adapt their 1930s bungalow to better accommodate family life as their children grew. A new principal bedroom suite and additional storage would allow the existing house to work more effectively without sacrificing the rear terrace that had become an important part of everyday family life.
The house had already undergone significant alteration, including a kitchen extension and attic conversion. Our challenge was therefore not simply to create additional space, but to ensure that a further intervention would bring clarity rather than complexity to the existing building. Protecting sunlight to the rear terrace was particularly important to the clients and became a key consideration in the development of the design.
Proposals
The extension was conceived as a complementary addition to the existing house, positioned to the side and rear to create a generous new principal bedroom suite overlooking the garden. A dressing area, ensuite and integrated storage provide a transition between the new accommodation and the existing house, helping to balance privacy with functionality. Additional external storage for bicycles and outdoor equipment was incorporated alongside improvements to the main entrance, creating a more welcoming and practical arrival sequence.
The design establishes a stronger relationship between the house and garden, with the reconfigured terrace forming a sheltered courtyard that connects the different phases of the building’s evolution. Large corner glazing and carefully considered floor levels enhance the sense of connection between inside and out, while minimising the visual impact of the extension and preserving sunlight to the existing outdoor space.
Finished in a pale grey-white brick, the extension provides a contemporary interpretation of the materials found locally, giving the new addition its own identity while complementing the character of the original house.
