Hackney, London.

Architect / Lead Designer
RIBA Stages 00 Strategic Definition - 07 Handover + Use
Design Concept
Planning Permission
Technical Design
Construction Support

Bleasdale Studio was appointed to design a rear and side infill extension to a Victorian terraced property within the Clapton Square Conservation Area. The project sought to enhance everyday living space at ground floor level while delivering a sensitive architectural response that respects the scale, character, and amenity of the surrounding terrace.

The proposal introduces a modestly scaled single-storey extension that remains clearly subordinate to the host building. A key design feature is a ‘atrium box’ skylight positioned at the threshold between the existing house and the new extension, bringing natural daylight deep into the plan and reinforcing a clear architectural distinction between old and new. Traditional detailing, including matching London stock brickwork, arched soldier courses, and timber sash windows, ensures the extension reads as a natural continuation of the original house.

Developed in close dialogue with the London Borough of Hackney, the scheme evolved through pre-application consultation to address concerns relating to height, massing, and roof glazing. The final design incorporates a reduced roof profile and a carefully moderated extent of glazing, minimising visual impact and safeguarding neighbouring amenity, while maintaining a high-quality internal environment. Although the extension exceeds standard depth guidance, it aligns with the established pattern of development along the road, where similar rear additions form a consistent and accepted precedent.

Full planning permission was secured for a considered and contextually responsive scheme that balances contemporary living requirements with the architectural rhythm of the existing terrace, delivering a refined and functional addition to the home.