Project on Langham Rd, Cambridge won State of Design's first LABC 'Best Extension of the Year' award

This extension to a 1930s semi-detached home was the recipient of State of Design's first LABC 'Best Extension of the Year' award. In a tradition that has developed over the last decade, this project adhered to PassivHaus principles, prioritizing comfort and cost reduction.

Designed to comfortably house a family of five, this energy-efficient project significantly expanded the usable space on all floors. This expansion was achieved without compromising headroom, daylight, functionality, and, most importantly, without encroaching on the privacy or space of neighbouring homes - while also more than doubling the footprint of the original house.

During this transformation, we converted the small two-and-a-half-bedroom house into a spacious four-bedroom dwelling. The new design incorporated a generous kitchen, utility room, ground-floor WC, two bathrooms on the first floor, ample internal storage (including space for bikes), multiple study areas, an open-concept dining-living area, and versatile spaces for various uses. Furthermore, this exceptional house now boasts a sizable roof terrace accessible from the second floor.

The extension's design was carefully crafted to avoid overshadowing neighbouring properties and to minimize any impact on the solar panels installed on the adjacent garden-facing roof. Natural light now reaches even the deepest corners of the house.

Internally, the house underwent a complete renovation, with all interior walls rebuilt. Remarkably, the entire project was completed in just over six months from the start of construction.