Planning Permission in Hove
Shape Architecture has been granted planning permission for a loft conversion in Hove.
Hove Loft Conversion
New Church Road is a substantial Edwardian house with generous proportions and strong architectural character. The scale and presence of the property meant that any intervention needed to respect the existing building rather than compete with it. During the early stages we explored several options including a full infill extension and later a wraparound extension with several variations. While these approaches increased floor area, they ultimately felt unnecessary and risked overcomplicating the ground floor layout.
Through the design process it became clear that the most effective solution was a simpler one. Instead of extending heavily, the strategy focuses on opening up the ground floor and strengthening the relationship with the garden. The rear elevation is redesigned with full height glazing, significantly increasing natural light and creating a more open and connected living space.
Within this layout we introduced a compact utility and WC space which also functions as a laundry area. The internal arrangement is supported by bespoke joinery including a box seat and a defined dining area, helping to organise the open plan space while maintaining a clean and simple layout.
At upper level the opportunity was to utilise the existing loft volume. The house already had a generous roof space, and the proposal focuses on making this accessible rather than dramatically altering the roof form. Access is achieved by extending the existing stair footprint with the addition of a rear dormer. This allows a comfortable stair arrival and enables the formation of a new bedroom and bathroom within the roof space.
The final proposal demonstrates that thoughtful internal reorganisation and targeted interventions can significantly improve a house without the need for large scale extensions.
Hove Architects
If you are considering an extension project in Hove please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to visit to discuss the potential and explain the process
