03 · Extension

Hillside Road

A two-storey side and rear extension to a 1930s semi in north Bristol.

Location: Henleaze, Bristol
Type: Side and rear extension
Added: 48 m²
Planning: 8 weeks
Build: 14 weeks
Completed: 2024

After: the rear of the house with a white rendered two-storey extension where the carport stood, and a wide glazed door to the garden — **Fig. 01** Rear of the house. Drag, click, or use the arrow keys to compare.

Before: the plain brick rear of the house, with an open carport on the left — **Fig. 01** Rear of the house. Drag, click, or use the arrow keys to compare.

Brief

A bigger kitchen and a fourth bedroom

The kitchen was at the back of the house, facing north, with a carport beside it that nobody used. The family needed more room downstairs and another bedroom, without giving up more of a short garden.

Approach

Using the carport

The garden is nine metres long and next door’s kitchen window faces the boundary. The rear extension stops at three metres and keeps the neighbour’s eaves height.

The rest of the room came from the carport, which became a two-storey side extension with the new bedroom above it.

Finished: a bright empty room with roof lights in the ceiling and wide glazed doors to the garden — **Fig. 02** The new kitchen, during the build and at handover.

During the build: the same room as a bare shell, with exposed joists and tools on the floor — **Fig. 02** The new kitchen, during the build and at handover.

Outcome

Light from the roof

With no room for side windows, the kitchen is lit by roof lights and a full-width glazed door. It is now the brightest room in the house.

The ground floor went through under permitted development. Only the first floor needed full planning, which took eight weeks.

Next projectRosewood Barn