Priestfields
Rochester
Extension and alteration of an Edwardian detached house
This project involved the extension and alteration of a large Edwardian detached house in Rochester. While generous in size, the rear of the property lacked a clear relationship with the garden and did not fully support modern family living.
Context
The existing house had been extended previously but the arrangement of spaces to the rear remained fragmented. Connections to the garden were limited, and the internal layout did not make the most of the available footprint.
Brief
The brief was to create a more functional and spacious home for a growing family, with additional bedrooms and improved living areas.
This included a two storey rear extension and a separate garden building to accommodate a home office and storage.
Design Response
The design extends the house in a way that respects its Edwardian character while improving the overall layout and connection to the garden.
The rear extension introduces a more ordered arrangement of spaces, with carefully positioned openings to improve natural light and strengthen the relationship between inside and outside. The scale and proportions of the extension were developed to sit comfortably alongside the existing building.
Externally, materials were selected to complement the original house while giving the extension a distinct identity. Roughcast render and painted timber elements provide a subtle reference to traditional detailing without direct replication.
A new garden building is positioned close to the main house, helping to define the garden and create a more enclosed and usable external space.
Outcome
The result is a well balanced six bedroom family home that is more connected, functional and suited to everyday living.
The extension and garden building work together to create a clearer structure to both the house and garden, while maintaining the character of the original property.
Location: Rochester
Project type: Extension and alteration
Existing house: Edwardian detached
