The clients had owned the 1960s bungalow as a second home for many years and explored the idea of replacing it with a new house. However, much about the bungalow was fine, and their needs were not appreciably different in terms of accommodation. They decided, instead, to retain and extend the bungalow, rearranging the house to make better use of the plot. The brief was to increase the living space and add an en-suite bathroom.

Our solution was to move the kitchen and living room which were at the southern end of the plot, missing out on sunlight and views of the garden due to the proximity to trees on the southern boundary. A large (rarely used) garage was at the north end of the plot so has been replaced by the new extension, which projects into the garden, allowing the new living room to have a south-facing view to trees beyond the garden. A large east window faces the sea with views of the sky.

The extension deliberately elevates the scale of the house, creating a space that is modest but grand. A change in level creates a more intimate living area, and a triangular fireplace and rooflight allow south light into the middle of the plan. The overcladding of the existing house unifies the new extension to the existing house.