Alresford Orangery & Kitchen Extension
A stunning orangery extension with exposed brick piers, full-height aluminium glazing and a chandelier roof lantern, seamlessly connected to a redesigned kitchen — transforming a traditional Hampshire home into a dramatic entertaining space.
Project Photography
Project Overview
This Alresford project is one of the most dramatic transformations in our portfolio. The clients — a family of four who love to entertain — came to us with a traditional detached home that felt disconnected from its generous garden. The existing rear was a cramped, dark kitchen that offered no view and no sense of space. They wanted something bold: an orangery that would become the heart of the house, a space for dinner parties, Sunday lunches and lazy summer mornings with the garden in full view.
The result is a 42m² orangery extension with full-height aluminium glazing on three sides, a dramatic chandelier roof lantern that floods the interior with natural light, and exposed brick piers that reference the Victorian character of the original property. It is connected to a completely redesigned kitchen through a generous opening framed by matching brick reveals — the two spaces feel like one, but the orangery retains its own distinct character.
Design Approach
The architectural challenge was to create a structure that felt genuinely classical — not a conservatory, not a glazed box — while meeting modern planning and building regulations standards. We specified solid masonry walls to half height, topped with full-height aluminium-framed glazing in an anthracite powder-coat finish. The exposed brick piers were the clients' own inspiration, referencing the Victorian chimney breasts inside the original house. We specified a reclaimed handmade brick to match the house's existing fabric, laid in Flemish bond to give the piers authentic weight and craftsmanship.
The roof lantern is the centrepiece: a five-sided aluminium structure rising above the flat perimeter roof, fitted with a client-supplied crystal chandelier that creates theatre at night when lit from within. The lantern brings daylight deep into the space even in winter, avoiding the overheating problems that plague poorly designed conservatories by balancing solar gain with thermally broken frames and low-E glazing.
Kitchen Integration
The existing kitchen was reconfigured at the same time — a key benefit of our Pre-Build package, which covers both the extension drawings and the internal remodelling plans in a single fixed fee. The original rear wall was removed and replaced with a structural steel, creating the wide opening between kitchen and orangery. Exposed brick reveals on both sides of the opening tie the two spaces together visually, while the contrasting flooring — dark engineered oak in the kitchen, large-format marble-effect porcelain in the orangery — defines each zone clearly without interrupting the open-plan flow.
The kitchen layout was redesigned to face into the orangery rather than the original exterior wall, so the cook is never separated from family and guests. An island unit with bar stools creates an informal breakfast bar that bridges the transition between the two rooms.
Planning and Building Regulations
The orangery was granted planning permission following a full application to Winchester City Council. The key planning considerations were the overall height of the lantern (carefully modelled to remain subservient to the ridge line of the house), the impact on the neighbouring property to one side, and the choice of materials. Our detailed design drawings and planning statement — prepared as part of the Pre-Build package — secured approval at the first submission with no conditions.
Building Regulations approval addressed the thermal envelope (the glazing specifications were carefully calculated to meet Part L requirements), structural design of the masonry piers and steel to the kitchen opening, and underfloor heating specification. All documentation was prepared and submitted as part of the project, leaving the clients free to focus on choosing their finishes.
Key Design Features
- Chandelier roof lantern: Five-sided aluminium lantern with thermally broken frames and low-E glass — bringing daylight deep into the room year-round
- Exposed brick piers: Reclaimed handmade brick in Flemish bond, matching the Victorian character of the original house
- Full-height aluminium glazing: Anthracite powder-coat frames on three sides with opening casements and French doors to the garden
- Open-plan kitchen connection: Structural steel opening with matching brick reveals — kitchen and orangery read as one integrated space
- Marble-effect porcelain flooring: Large-format tiles with underfloor heating throughout the orangery, providing warmth and a sense of luxury
- Black-and-white rug zone: Defined dining area within the orangery using a bold graphic rug — creating a sense of purpose within the open space
The Result
The clients described the finished extension as "completely life-changing." The space they use for morning coffee is the same space where they hosted a dinner party for twenty guests last Christmas. The chandelier creates a focal point that photographs beautifully and impresses every visitor. The exposed brick gives the room soul — it does not feel like an add-on, it feels like it was always there. This project illustrates what becomes possible when a fixed-fee design package removes the financial anxiety from the process: the clients were able to make bold decisions because they knew exactly what they were paying for design, and could direct their construction budget with confidence.
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