1805    Cleveland Cottage

Our clients came to us with a challenge: their charming 1930s two-up, two-down cottage in rural Ashwicken did not meet the needs of their growing family. While the property sat on a generous plot with beautiful south-facing gardens, the house itself was cramped, disconnected from the outdoors, and lacked the space and flexibility for family life.

Working closely with the clients, we designed an L-shaped wrap-around extension that completely redefined how the house works. The new layout creates a flowing kitchen, dining, and living space opening directly onto the garden, along with two additional bedrooms and a new staircase. Relocating the vertical circulation freed up valuable space within the original footprint, allowing every part of the home to serve a clear purpose.

The project was carefully planned so the family could remain living on-site throughout construction, with only three points of connection between the old and new. Generous glazing now floods the interiors with natural light, while a full refurbishment of the existing cottage, including an air source heat pump heating system, ensures year-round comfort and efficiency.

The result is a bright, functional family home that feels far larger than its modest footprint, reconnecting the house to its garden and giving the family the space to grow together.