Carter House

Reimagining a Period Family Home

Located within Winchester's Conservation Area, Carter House is the sensitive transformation of a period semi-detached home, creating generous contemporary living spaces while respecting the character of the original property.

The design rethinks the relationship between the existing house and its garden, introducing a series of carefully considered extensions that provide the flexibility, light and connection to the outdoors expected of a modern family home.

Creating a New Heart to the Home

A full-width rear extension transforms the ground floor into an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space designed around family life. Large sliding doors open directly onto the garden, allowing the interior to flow effortlessly outside, while generous rooflights draw natural daylight deep into the centre of the house.

The reconfigured layout also introduces practical family spaces, including a utility room and cloakroom, ensuring the home works as well functionally as it does architecturally.

Contemporary Architecture in a Historic Setting

A simple first-floor timber-clad addition establishes a clear distinction between the original house and the contemporary intervention. Carefully proportioned and set beneath a flat roof, the extension minimises its visual impact while providing valuable additional accommodation.

Rather than imitating the existing architecture, the new volume expresses its own identity through restrained detailing and a natural material palette that complements the surrounding Conservation Area.

Materiality

Vertical timber cladding introduces warmth and texture to the extension, creating a contemporary contrast with the existing masonry while drawing inspiration from the surrounding trees and landscape. As the timber naturally weathers, the façade will soften over time, allowing the addition to sit comfortably within its setting.

A sedum roof further reduces the visual impact of the extension, extending the appearance of the surrounding garden while enhancing biodiversity and improving rainwater management.

Contemporary Living, Thoughtfully Integrated

The completed project demonstrates how carefully considered contemporary architecture can transform a period home without compromising its historic character. By combining light-filled living spaces, refined detailing and a restrained palette of materials, Carter House provides a flexible family home that is designed to evolve with its occupants while remaining rooted in its context.