Making full use of the garden’s south-facing orientation, the new extension has been designed to be filled with natural light and facilitate an enhanced connection to the garden through the use of multiple roof planes and expansive glazing.

The main flat roof element provides shade to an external seating area and is separated from the existing house by roof glazing to bring light into the existing house whilst a second roof plane lifts above this to bring light into the new open plan kitchen from a high level, and a third runs along the side of the existing house to form a new bedroom to the first floor.  The modest material palette consists of smooth white render offset by rich timber cladding to the soffits of the planar roofs.

The extension is accessed via the main hallway and is formed around family life with an expansive, open-plan kitchen benefitting from a linear rooflight whilst the dining and seating areas are located towards the garden and benefit from large, folding sliding doors.

Light Open is a successful example of how careful consideration of a client’s brief and the site can enhance family life through creating an open-plan, sociable space that benefits from fresh air, enhanced natural light and a seamless connection to the outdoors.