Case Study:
West Drive, Brighton

The brief

The client set out to fully refurbish a late-Victorian home in Brighton, with a focus on unlocking space and improving day-to-day liveability. The project centred on replacing a poorly built side conservatory with a new kitchen extension, alongside upgrading the rest of the house to modern standards – from heating and electrics through to windows, roofing and finishes.

As the project progressed, the brief evolved into a more comprehensive transformation, addressing deeper structural issues and reworking the layout to create a brighter, more cohesive home throughout.

The challenges

Early on, it became clear that the existing rear structure was unsafe. The conservatory and surrounding elements had been built to a poor standard and needed to be fully demolished and rebuilt. The main roof was also at the end of its life, with multiple areas of damp identified throughout the house.

The scale of intervention introduced significant structural complexity. Large steel RSJs and crank beams were required, installed via crane while maintaining the integrity of the remaining structure and keeping the site safe and weather-protected.

As expected with a property of this age, a range of hidden issues emerged during the build – including inconsistent lintels, asbestos risks, ageing plumbing and uneven floors. Each required careful sequencing and problem-solving to resolve properly without creating knock-on issues elsewhere.

Our approach

Rather than patching over problems, we took the opportunity to do things properly. Working closely with the architect and structural engineer, key issues were resolved early and thoroughly, avoiding reliance on temporary or reactive fixes.

The side return was rebuilt from scratch, with new structural steelwork installed into pad foundations to support the extension. Building control remained closely involved throughout, with each stage – from demolition through to structural installation – signed off before work progressed.

Because the house was unoccupied, we were able to sequence the more disruptive elements efficiently, including the crane installation of the steels and other major structural work. This allowed steady progress without the compromises that can come with working around an occupied home.

Once the structural work was complete, attention turned to the internal fit-out and detailing. The focus throughout was not simply on creating more space, but on making the whole house feel considered and cohesive – balancing the realities of an older Brighton property with the comfort, practicality and finish expected of a modern home.

The result

The completed house is a significant transformation from the property we first encountered. At the rear, the new extension has created a generous, light-filled kitchen and living space, with large areas of glazing opening onto the garden and substantial rooflights bringing daylight deep into the plan.

The bespoke kitchen gives the new space a strong focal point, while the combination of natural oak cabinetry, pale stone surfaces and large-format flooring creates a warm, understated finish. Throughout the rest of the house, renewed rooms, bathrooms and upper-floor spaces bring the same sense of quality and consistency.

Behind the finished surfaces, the property has also been comprehensively upgraded – resolving the structural, roofing and service issues uncovered during the build rather than simply concealing them.

What began as an extension and refurbishment has ultimately become a complete renewal of the house: structurally sound, comfortable and practical, while retaining the character that made the original Victorian property worth investing in.