Conservation Area Home Transformation

Loft Extensions, Dormers & Wraparound Extension Our Work Speaks for Itself

This project began with a dated, unloved detached property in need of full modernisation. Located within a conservation area, the scheme required a careful balance of architectural ambition, planning strategy, and technical precision.

Our clients had a clear goal:
to create a forever home that could accommodate a growing, multi-generational family, without compromising the character of the original building or its sensitive setting.

What followed was a comprehensive transformation that turned a tired house into a six-bedroom, four-bathroom family home, designed for modern living and long-term comfort.

Loft Extensions & Dormer Design

The loft conversion was a key part of unlocking space within the existing footprint.

We designed a combination of:

Dormer extensions to maximise head height and usable floor area
Carefully positioned rooflights to improve daylight and ventilation
A layout that created generous bedrooms, bathrooms, and circulation space

The result is a light-filled upper floor that feels fully integrated into the house, rather than an afterthought.

Interior Layout & Whole-House Reconfiguration

Beyond the extensions themselves, we undertook a full interior layout redesign, ensuring every part of the house worked efficiently.

This included:

Rationalising circulation
Improving bedroom and bathroom layouts
Enhancing daylight and views
Creating clear zoning between private and shared spaces

Despite the increased size of the property, careful detailing and insulation upgrades ensure the home remains efficient, warm, and comfortable year-round.

Navigating Planning & Conservation Constraints

Because the property sits within a conservation area, the planning process was never going to be straightforward.

The proposals included multiple elements that required careful justification, including:

A projecting front gable extension
A pitched roof dormer
A rear dormer with balcony and terrace
A rear ground floor wraparound extension

Each element was designed with close attention to scale, proportion, materials, and visual impact, ensuring the scheme preserved and enhanced the character of the original building.

Using our experience in planning consultancy and conservation area applications, we successfully navigated discussions with both planning and conservation officers, securing approval for a scheme that significantly increased the size and functionality of the home while remaining sensitive to its context.

Rear Wraparound Extension & Open-Plan Living

At ground floor level, a rear wraparound extension allowed the home to be reimagined around modern family life.

This included:

A large open-plan kitchen, dining, and family space
Strong visual connections to the garden
Improved internal flow between old and new parts of the house

The extension was designed to feel calm, spacious, and practical, supporting everyday living while remaining flexible for entertaining and family gatherings.

A Home Designed for Generations

The finished result is a six-bedroom, four-bathroom home that supports multi-generational living without compromise.

Importantly, our involvement didn’t stop at planning or drawings. We have remained actively involved during construction, continuing to support the project as additional buildings and future phases are brought into the wider grounds.

This long-term, hands-on approach reflects how we work:
not just as designers, but as trusted advisors throughout the life of a project.

View from rear dormer roof (conservation area too!)

Thinking About Extending a Property in a Conservation Area?

If you’re considering a loft extension, dormer extension, or wraparound extension within a conservation area, getting the design and planning strategy right from the outset is critical.

At 81 North Architecture, we don’t just produce drawings. We run projects from start to finish, using our in-house expertise to guide schemes smoothly from first survey through planning, technical design, and on-site delivery.

For this project, we handled everything from measured survey and concept design, through planning submissions and heritage statements, to construction drawings, consultant coordination, building control liaison, and ongoing on-site support. One team. One clear vision. No handovers.

If you’re looking for an architect who understands planning, conservation, and the realities of construction — and stays involved when it matters — we’d be happy to help you create a home built for the long term.

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