Double Storey Side & Rear
Project Description
Like many older homes, this property was shaped by a layout that belonged to a different time — smaller rooms, tighter hallways, and an exterior that had gradually fallen behind the rest of the street. The family weren’t looking for anything extravagant; they simply wanted a home that felt easier to live in, more comfortable day to day, and more reflective of the life they lead now.
The project focused on creating that balance. With a double storey side extension, a part-rear extension, and a series of internal alterations, the house was given the extra space and clearer structure it had always needed. Rooms that once felt cramped are now well-proportioned, circulation is smoother, and the overall layout supports family living without feeling overly open or overly divided.
One of the most noticeable changes is the exterior. The tired original façade — with mismatched materials and ageing details — has been replaced with a clean, modern frontage that immediately lifts the presence of the home on the street. Dark-framed windows, crisp render, and a more confident roofline bring a sense of order and simplicity that the property never had before.
Inside, the improvements are equally transformative. Better room sizing, improved flow between spaces, and new glazing at the rear all contribute to a home that feels brighter, calmer, and more practical. It’s still recognisably the same house — just finally arranged in a way that suits the family living in it.
This project shows how thoughtful extensions and internal adjustments can turn an outdated property into a home that works effortlessly for modern life, without losing the character and familiarity that made it worth improving in the first place.
The project focused on creating that balance. With a double storey side extension, a part-rear extension, and a series of internal alterations, the house was given the extra space and clearer structure it had always needed. Rooms that once felt cramped are now well-proportioned, circulation is smoother, and the overall layout supports family living without feeling overly open or overly divided.
One of the most noticeable changes is the exterior. The tired original façade — with mismatched materials and ageing details — has been replaced with a clean, modern frontage that immediately lifts the presence of the home on the street. Dark-framed windows, crisp render, and a more confident roofline bring a sense of order and simplicity that the property never had before.
Inside, the improvements are equally transformative. Better room sizing, improved flow between spaces, and new glazing at the rear all contribute to a home that feels brighter, calmer, and more practical. It’s still recognisably the same house — just finally arranged in a way that suits the family living in it.
This project shows how thoughtful extensions and internal adjustments can turn an outdated property into a home that works effortlessly for modern life, without losing the character and familiarity that made it worth improving in the first place.
01. Introduction
02. Process
03. Decor
Case Study
This project transformed a dated semi-detached home in North West London through a double storey side extension, a part-rear extension, and targeted internal alterations that reshaped the property into a more functional and contemporary living environment. The extensions allowed the footprint to be widened and deepened, creating the opportunity to reorganise the interior layout, improve circulation, and form better-proportioned rooms throughout both floors.
Inside, the changes are most evident in the way the home now moves and feels. The staircase, once enclosed and visually heavy, was rebuilt with cleaner detailing and modern finishes, helping the circulation core become a brighter and more welcoming part of the home. The kitchen and rear living areas benefitted from increased depth and new glazed openings, bringing more natural light into the house and creating a clearer relationship with the garden. These internal improvements were supported by upgraded flooring, refined material choices, and a layout that eliminates the cramped transitions present in the original plan.
Externally, the redesign introduced a contemporary façade with crisp render, modern window profiles, and simplified rooflines that replace the tired appearance of the former elevation. At the rear, new glazing and a more ordered composition give the home a calmer, more unified presence, enhancing the usability of both the interior spaces and the garden beyond.
Through careful coordination of structural work, improved insulation, and updated services, the completed project delivers a home that is significantly more comfortable and better connected, both visually and spatially. The result is a renewed property that aligns with the needs of modern family living while retaining the character and familiarity of the original house.
Inside, the changes are most evident in the way the home now moves and feels. The staircase, once enclosed and visually heavy, was rebuilt with cleaner detailing and modern finishes, helping the circulation core become a brighter and more welcoming part of the home. The kitchen and rear living areas benefitted from increased depth and new glazed openings, bringing more natural light into the house and creating a clearer relationship with the garden. These internal improvements were supported by upgraded flooring, refined material choices, and a layout that eliminates the cramped transitions present in the original plan.
Externally, the redesign introduced a contemporary façade with crisp render, modern window profiles, and simplified rooflines that replace the tired appearance of the former elevation. At the rear, new glazing and a more ordered composition give the home a calmer, more unified presence, enhancing the usability of both the interior spaces and the garden beyond.
Through careful coordination of structural work, improved insulation, and updated services, the completed project delivers a home that is significantly more comfortable and better connected, both visually and spatially. The result is a renewed property that aligns with the needs of modern family living while retaining the character and familiarity of the original house.