I Live in a Listed Building, Can I Still Renovate My Home?
Living in a listed building? Discover what renovations are possible, the permissions you’ll need, & how to update your home while preserving its historic charm.
Extensions & alterations to heritage properties.
We help homeowners understand what their historic home can accommodate and shape changes that feel right for both the building and the people who live in it. The focus is always on thoughtful design that respects the past while supporting the future.
Thoughtful architectural design for historic homes.
Extending or altering a heritage property is very different from working with a modern house. These buildings have character, history and construction methods that need to be understood before any design decisions are made. The goal is not just to add space, but to improve how the building works while protecting what makes it special.
Well-designed extensions and alterations can enhance a historic home rather than detract from it. The key is approaching change in a way that feels natural to the building and sensitive to its setting.
Understanding what your home can accommodate.
Before any design work begins, it’s important to understand what level of change is likely to be supported. Early advice helps clarify what is realistic and what constraints will shape the project.
This involves looking closely at the existing building, how it has evolved over time and how it relates to its surroundings. Some parts of a property may be more flexible than others, and identifying this early helps guide the design in the right direction.
By understanding what your home can accommodate, ideas can be developed with confidence rather than trial and error.
Designing in response to the existing building.
Good heritage design starts with the building itself. Its proportions, materials and original layout all influence how new elements should be shaped.
Extensions and alterations are designed to feel connected to the original structure, whether through a more traditional approach or a clearly contemporary addition that still respects scale and character. What matters most is that new work sits comfortably alongside the old, without competing with it.
Design decisions are guided by how the building works as a whole, ensuring that improvements feel like a considered evolution rather than a bolt-on solution.
Book your free consultation.
Let’s explore the possibilities of your space and start the exciting journey of bringing your lifestyle aspirations to life.
Book your free consultation at your home or at one of our offices in Southampton, Bournemouth, Farnham, or Portsmouth.
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Call Us 0330 043 0073
Reflecting your lifestyle and asperations.
Historic homes still need to work for modern life. Families need practical layouts, good levels of light and spaces that suit how they live today.
Heritage extensions and alterations focus on improving everyday use of the home, whether that means creating better connections between rooms, opening up views to the garden or adding carefully designed new space.
The challenge is finding ways to achieve these improvements without harming the building’s character. This balance between functionality and preservation sits at the heart of every project.
Supporting the planning and consent process.
Changes to heritage properties often require planning permission or Listed Building Consent. This means the way a proposal is presented is just as important as the design itself.
Drawings and supporting information are prepared to clearly explain what is being proposed and why it is appropriate. This includes showing how new elements relate to the existing building and how important features will be protected.
By explaining the design clearly and logically, decision-makers can see that the proposals are rooted in an understanding of the building rather than simply trying to push boundaries.
Helping historic homes evolve.
Heritage buildings should not be frozen in time. With the right approach, they can adapt to modern needs while retaining the qualities that make them distinctive.
The aim of heritage extensions and alterations is to help historic homes evolve in a way that feels calm, balanced and respectful. The result should be a home that works better for you today, while still honouring its past and setting it up for the future.
Book your free consultation.
Let’s explore the possibilities of your space and start the exciting journey of bringing your lifestyle aspirations to life.
Book your free consultation at your home or at one of our offices in Southampton, Bournemouth, Farnham, or Portsmouth.
-
Call Us 0330 043 0073
Listed buildings, herritage & conservation
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