Building Modern Extensions

ABOVE: Sue and Roderic O’Sullivan have extended their traditional thatched cottage with a breathtakingly modern extension, which more than doubles their living space. Read more about this project...

Whilst many people choose to extend their home in a style that matches or mirrors the original building, more and more people are now opting for something bold and in complete contrast to the style of the rest of the house.

Not only will this approach have the effect of highlighting the period character of the original building, but it also means you will not have to choose between a period- or contemporary- style home because you can have both, meaning even those living in period cottages can experience open plan, light-filled spaces. After all, it seems a shame to disguise your extension why not highlight it as something new and exciting instead?

Whilst many people still believe that the safest option is always to attempt to blend in with the period style of the original house, this is actually no longer true. In fact, many planners now welcome well-designed, contemporary extensions often favouring them over a structure which tries to be something it is not. In addition, if your extension falls under your Permitted Development rights, the planners will be unable to have any say at all on your design so you can be as radical as you please.

The key factor in securing planning permission is that the building is thoughtfully designed to make the most of the site and to be of architectural merit to the area. And it is not all about the planners either be sure that the design suits your needs too.

At all costs, avoid ending up with a design that falls somewhere but nowhere between a traditional and contemporary extension be clear about what you are trying to achieve from the start. In the case of listed buildings, talk to the planners before coming up with a design, in order to get a feel for the kind of thing they are looking for in your area.

The Architect's View

Architect Henning Stummel explains his own radical extension to a Georgian townhouse in London

An extension should be well considered with regards to internal lighting and the flow of spaces. Although I believe it is right to show what is new and what is old, I think that the new intervention and the historic monument need to work together to create a greater whole.

The point of departure for the designer should be one of respect and understanding of the period building. Choose your architect/designer carefully: good advice will make a enormous difference. In our practice we work with large-scale models that help visualise the ideas. Your architect should be like a tailor, tailoring his design around your needs. Needless to say, planners can easily identify a well-thought-out and nicely presented scheme, and this will greatly increase your chances of getting approval. henningstummelarchitects.co.uk

Further Reading:

• Extending Cottages
• Extension Types
• How to Design a Modern Home