Extensions

This mid-terrace suburban house already had a 3m extension, but it was impractical for the family, being divided into a small kitchen, unconnected to the garden, and a 'study' that was really no more than a corridor linking living room to kitchen to garden. Our innovative design only went out a further 1.8, yet looks and feels far bigger as a result of the integration of the 2.3m patio.

The key to connecting these spaces was a continuous floor with level threshold, which we achieved with a hand-crafted microcement surface that even wraps up the front of the bench. The side walls also continue outside onto the patio, as does the run of kitchen units on one side and bench seating on the other.

The final ingredient was to open up the entire width in-between via bifold doors, creating one huge inside/outside room for family and entertaining, complete with 10-seater dining table and a 7m long run of bench seating that also doubles as storage.

As well as demonstrating the value of connecting inside and outside spaces, this project was also a lesson in how adding just a small area of floor space can sometimes be the key to unlocking an internal reorganisation and creating spaces that are both practical and spectacular.

Our design for this 4m rear extension incorporated the garage at the back into the house itself, creating an L-shaped room with a nook projecting into the garden and bifolds on two sides. East-facing, this corner catches the early sun making it a perfect spot for a morning coffee. We also opened up the pitched roof above this corner to help differentiate the space and bring in even more sun through a skylight.

In the kitchen, instead of more doors we added bifold windows over the sink. The impact on the kitchen is huge, making it feel wide open and connecting it with the garden without sacrificing practical unit space below.

We always strive to incorporate something different to make each project unique, and the two outstanding features here - the garden-nook and the kitchen windows - make the end result feel truly special.

The brief was for a first floor side and rear extension to provide a new master bedroom suite. It was important to maintain the chalet character of the property at the front, but also at the rear, where our innovative asymmetrical gable design echoes the original cat-slide roof.

This project was a full refurbishment with new electrics, windows and decoration throughout, as well as a new feature kitchen-diner housed in a 3.5m rear extension.

The client wanted a traditional design that still allowed a lot of light into the extension, so, instead of bifold doors, we introduced French doors with sidelights either side and semi-circular fan light above to create a Venetian style window.

This project was to replace a rear conservatory and WC with a modern kitchen/diner, whilst also finding room for a utility, which we put on the side in the middle of the house to double-up as a mud-entrance with shower. To the rear, folding doors combined with continuous flooring and a walled patio work to create a fluid inside/outside space.

This project was for a rear kitchen-diner extension, along with adding a first floor bathroom and reorganising the loft rooms. Being within a conservation area, the project required extra sensitivity and familiarity with the borough's design guide.

This project involved squaring-off the existing rear extension to increase the size of the bathroom and incorporate the existing separate WC, thereby also enlarging the kitchen.  A great demonstration of how even a modest change can unlock layout changes and create more practical and comfortable spaces.