St Albans Kitchen Extension
Industrial-style kitchen extension with exposed brick, steel beams, and rooflight. A stunning open-plan design combining contemporary style with character features.
The Brief
Our first major project in St Albans came from a couple who had seen our Hampshire work and wanted something with similar design confidence for their Victorian terrace near the city centre. Their home sat within one of St Albans' 28 conservation areas, which meant any extension needed to satisfy both the planning committee and the conservation officer.
The brief was bold: an industrial-aesthetic kitchen that celebrated raw materials — exposed brick, structural steel, concrete — whilst sitting comfortably within a conservation area Victorian terrace. It sounds contradictory, but the key was keeping the industrial elements internal where planning restrictions do not apply.
Our Design Approach
We designed a 30m² rear extension with a deliberately simple external form: London stock brick to match the existing terrace, a traditional pitched roof with slate tiles, and timber-framed windows. From the street, the extension is entirely sympathetic to its conservation area setting.
Inside, the character changes dramatically. We specified that the structural steelwork should be left exposed rather than boxed in — a bold RSJ spanning the full width of the opening becomes a design feature painted in matt black. The party wall brickwork was stripped back to expose the original Victorian London stock bricks, creating a textured backdrop for the kitchen. A large rooflight floods the space with light, casting dramatic shadows from the steel beams throughout the day.
Planning and Approvals
Conservation area applications in St Albans require careful preparation. We submitted detailed drawings showing the extension in context, with a heritage impact assessment explaining how the external design respects the terrace's character. The planning officer was satisfied that the extension would preserve and enhance the conservation area's appearance. Permission was granted in 9 weeks.
Key Design Features
- Exposed steelwork: Structural RSJ left visible and painted matt black as a design feature
- Exposed brick: Original Victorian brickwork stripped and sealed as a textured feature wall
- Large rooflight: Walk-on glass rooflight flooding the deeper parts of the extension with light
- Crittall-style doors: Steel-framed glazed doors opening to a private courtyard garden
- Polished concrete worktops: Cast in-situ concrete worktops with a honed finish
The Result
This St Albans extension has generated more enquiries than almost any other project in our portfolio. The contrast between the respectful external appearance and the dramatic interior proves that conservation area design need not mean conservative design. Our Hertfordshire clients have a kitchen that feels like a converted warehouse space — raw, authentic and full of character — whilst their neighbours see nothing but a well-designed Victorian addition.
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