A two storey cottage with small living spaces and a dated conservatory, in need of an update and much needed additional living accommodation. I was appointed to design a side extension to accommodate a living room with a kitchen/diner extension to the rear.

The property is set in expansive grounds with lots of room to accommodate a side extension of this nature. The proposed design would incorporate a new staircase to a proposed first floor bedroom leading out onto a roof terrace.

The existing bedrooms are very small, with low head room throughout the property. The proposal will have more height internally and will be built from a SIPS roof structure.

The Client wished for a spacious bedroom with a separate dressing area and en-suite shower room. The bedroom will have views over the garden and paddocks as well as roof terrace access.

The poor quality existing conservatory will be removed. The design was based around using the footprint of the conservatory and extending out towards the rear garden.

The kitchen/dining room extension will be single storey. The Clients will utilise the roof space by incorporating a flat roof terrace which can be accessed from both the new bedroom and the landing on the far side.

The existing view from the road shows the cottage with the conservatory and its high level windows being the most unattractive element of the property, detracting from the rest of the cottage.

A new gable will be added to the side where the conservatory will be removed. This will be clad with weatherboarding on the first floor which will be carried throughout the building, updating it with modern materials.

The side entrance on the north of the property is most used as it is closest to the car parking area. This currently has an odd approach with a door tucked behind an extension.

The proposal is to form a porch within the existing extension and remove the front door, relocating it to a more sensible position which will be a more attractive entrance to the property.

Although the conservatory currently benefits from the sun on the south side of the property, as with many conservatories it is very cold and under utilised in the winter.

The south side of the property is on the boundary adjacent the neighbours. The design therefore has no first floor windows overlooking neighbouring properties.

The west elevation opens up onto a large rear garden with paddocks, which the Client enjoys. There is currently no view across this area, other than via the conservatory, which is a shame. The rooms are very dark.

The proposal will have large bi-folding doors and views across the paddocks so that the Clients can enjoy looking at their horses. The scheme achieved planning permission in January 2020 and the Clients are delighted to be able to move forward with the project.

There was some steelwork required to take the floor joists, this was set within the SIPs structure and designed in to suit. The photo shows where the staircase will be.

The existing property, with a poor quality conservatory attached to the side, in need of refurbishment.

June 2020 - The SIPs structure has gone up in very little time and works are well under way on the extension.

From the front it is evident how the design of the gable reflects the existing cottage and is already blending in, so that it will look like it has always been part of the property.

The first floor bedroom, dressing area and en-suite, with impressive glu-lam beams supporting the SIPs roof.

The roof tiles are going on (June 2020) and the dormer over the first floor door, accessing the balcony, has already been formed. The Clients are very pleased with the progress to date.

View from the road before development.

View from the road during construction, with the extension visible.