Surrey House

Adam Knibb Architects were commissioned to design a modern extension for an early 20th-century house. The new extension envelopes the eastern and southern facades, with the aim of optimizing the existing layout and creating additional spaces that the original house lacked. The new layout offers the client open-plan living areas that flow seamlessly into one another, with a playroom, living room, and kitchen/dining area all in one place. The large-format glazing provides stunning views of the South Downs, while the sliding doors effortlessly connect the internal and external spaces. The hard landscaping around the house provides a buffer zone between the garden and the interior. The first-floor extension mirrors the existing gable, with the timber-clad link situated behind it to maintain the hierarchy between the old and the new. The materiality of the project was informed by the surrounding woodland context, with the vertical timber cladding blending perfectly into the landscape. The large area of glazing and added skylights provide the house with ample natural light and solar gain in key areas.