The brief

This project involved a significant rear extension and internal reconfiguration to create a large, open-plan kitchen-dining space at the back of the house. The scope also included first-floor alterations and modernisation throughout. The overall aim was to transform the living space while ensuring the new elements blended naturally with the existing home – as though they’d always been there.

The challenges

One of the key challenges was achieving aesthetic continuity. To satisfy planning and maintain the home’s character, it was essential that the materials – especially the clay roof tiles and facing bricks – matched the existing fabric as closely as possible. This required careful sourcing of reclaimed and new materials that would weather sympathetically over time.

Another major technical challenge was the installation of underfloor heating. The original flooring had to be removed and dug down extensively to accommodate the system, requiring careful sequencing and close consideration of insulation and damp protection.

The team also faced an issue with a very large roof light originally specified as a single piece, which would have been impractical to deliver and install safely.

Our approach

Our focus throughout was on delivering a high-quality, practical build that met both the visual and technical goals of the project. For the external finishes, we sourced matching roof tiles – including reclaimed clay tiles – and selected bricks carefully to ensure the new structure felt fully integrated with the original house.

Installing the underfloor heating required full floor excavation and a re-lay from the ground up. This was planned and managed carefully, drawing on experience from similar projects, with building control involved at each key stage.

To resolve the oversized roof light, we worked with a specialist supplier to design a modular alternative. This retained the desired level of light and openness while being far more practical to manufacture and install. The units were craned in and assembled on site, minimising disruption and avoiding delays. During the build, we also set up a temporary kitchen to help the family maintain day-to-day life as smoothly as possible.

The result

The completed extension and reconfigured interior have transformed the rear of the house into a calm, light-filled living space that works effortlessly for modern family life. The new kitchen-dining area opens fully onto the garden, creating a strong connection between inside and out, while the roof lights bring daylight deep into the plan.

Careful material choices and detailing mean the extension sits comfortably alongside the original 1930s house, without feeling overly new or imposed. The finished space feels cohesive, considered and settled – exactly in keeping with the original ambition for the project.