Low Fell

It has been great to see this private house extension come together since our initial sketches back in 2015. On a tricky sloping site within the grounds of a semi-detached Victorian villa on an unusually large plot in the New Streets Conservation Area, Penrith, Cumbria, we were given the task of coming up with a new kitchen/ dining extension connecting the existing house with the extensive garden grounds.

The area for extension was constrained due to the proximity of a mature Japanese maple tree which the clients understandably cherished and wanted to retain. A further constraint was the metre change in level between the garden level and the existing elevated ground floor. We developed a contemporary design, modern in construction but reminiscent of Victorian lean-to orangeries and conservatories and which also drew inspiration from the dining room at the Burrell Collection in its adoption of glulam structure and curtain walling and a metal standing seam roof finish.

In this case, the client chose larch for the glulam and a dark grey VMZinc used for the roof. Substantial remodelling works were required within the existing house to allow for a new kitchen to be built to connect into the new dining room extension. The extension was designed to maximise views across the garden and to frame views of the Lakeland Fells.

We worked closely with the contractor on the coordination of the works and his attention to detail and determination to ensure the design intent was carried through to completion was essential in the success of the project. The clients bought into the concept from day one and are very happy living in it now.

Photography by architect and client