Tythings

This much-loved Victorian family home in Cuckfield had been passed down through generations, but a large 1960s extension to the rear had stripped away much of its character. Our clients wanted to bring some character back to the rear of the property with a contemporary update — bringing the kitchen out of the middle of the house to open directly onto their leafy garden, while also creating practical spaces the family actually needed.

The brief was to remove a cold, underused garage and office, and replace them with a new boot room, gym area, and kitchen/dining area that flows out to the garden. The design needed to screen and orientate itself away from newly built flats next door, while our clients were keen to capture the evening sun on the west side.

Our response was a curved timber-clad extension that screens to the east while angling out to capture the western sunset — the materiality bringing a contemporary warmth to what had been a fairly featureless rear elevation. A large picture window and folding doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, framing views of the garden, while a sedum roof adds another layer of softness when viewed from the new upstairs master bedroom.

Concept design has just been agreed, and we'll be submitting for planning very soon.