The Brief
A young family in Petersfield approached us with an ambitious but clear vision: they needed significantly more space but did not want to leave their home near the town centre with its excellent schools, independent shops and South Downs access. Their 1930s semi-detached house had three bedrooms and a separate kitchen and dining room — functional but far too compartmentalised for modern family life.
The brief was to create an open-plan kitchen-diner on the ground floor and add a fourth bedroom with en-suite above. The design needed to respect the character of the street whilst introducing a contemporary aesthetic that reflected the family's taste.
Our Design Approach
We designed a 45m² two-storey rear extension — approximately 22m² on each floor. The ground floor opens up into a generous kitchen-living-dining space, with the new extension housing the kitchen and casual dining area whilst the original dining room becomes part of an interconnected living zone.
Upstairs, the new space accommodates a double bedroom with built-in wardrobes and an en-suite shower room. The landing was reconfigured to provide natural access to the new room without compromising circulation space.
Externally, we chose a contemporary approach: smooth render in a warm grey tone contrasts with the original brick, creating a deliberate distinction between old and new that Petersfield's planning officers responded to positively. Large-format windows on both floors maximise light and views towards the South Downs.
Planning and Approvals
Two-storey extensions almost always require full planning permission, and this project was no exception. We submitted a detailed householder application (£528) with carefully prepared elevations, floor plans and a design statement explaining our approach. The application was approved within the standard 8-week period with no amendments required — a testament to the quality of our drawings and understanding of what East Hampshire District Council expects.
Key Design Features
- Two-storey design: 45m² total — maximising space on a modest footprint by building upwards
- Open-plan ground floor: Kitchen, dining and living zones flowing into one continuous space
- Fourth bedroom: Double bedroom with built-in storage and South Downs views
- En-suite bathroom: Walk-in shower, basin and WC in a compact but well-designed layout
- Contemporary render: Smooth grey render creating a modern contrast with the original brickwork
The Result
This extension has completely transformed the family's daily life. The open-plan ground floor is now the social heart of the house — spacious enough for the children to play whilst meals are being prepared, and elegant enough for adult entertaining in the evenings. The fourth bedroom has given each child their own room, resolving the space pressure that originally prompted the project.
Moving from a three-bedroom to a four-bedroom property in Petersfield — where family homes are in high demand — has added an estimated £60,000-£75,000 to the property value.
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