The owners of this 1930s semi needed a fourth bedroom for their growing family, along with additional utility space. With very limited room available to the side and a loft conversion proving unviable, every square metre had to work hard.

Our response was a compact two-storey extension, carefully designed to maximise the available footprint while minimising disruption to the existing house. The construction and internal alterations were rationalised to make the scheme as efficient as possible, while still creating a clearly contemporary addition.

At first-floor level, the extension is set back from the boundary to reduce the visual effect of terracing and retain the character of the semi-detached pair.

At ground floor, a new contemporary porch improves the arrival to the house and gives the project greater kerb appeal, while also creating a useful new cloakroom.

A very small extension, but one that resolves several problems at once and makes a significant difference to how the house works for the family.