The brief for our project in Rugby Road, called for a side extension and the opening up of a ‘messy’ interior with improved connection to the garden, in order to create a light, bright and contemporary kitchen/dining space. The result has exceeded expectations.

It features a full height and wide glazed window which merges into a rooflight with a frameless glass to glass connection set in a Sedum roof which helps integrate the extension into the garden setting.

Click to link to Rugby Road Project

Here at Brunswick Terrace on the seafront we have opened up two rooms to create an impressive kitchen, living and dining room.  The kitchen which was languishing in the rear is now integrated with the living space. A new bedroom with en-suite replaces it. Our range of successful listed building projects in Brighton and Hove is based on our successful relationship with the heritage department in Brighton, and in particular, a thorough understanding of the process which is particularly detailed.

Click to link to Brunswick Terrace Project 

Located in a prominent position within the Hove Conservation Area, this project transformed a flat into a spacious duplex by converting and integrating an existing storage room at lower ground level. Planning permission was secured for a new front lightwell to bring daylight into the basement and for larger rear glazing to open up views of the garden. The redesigned lower ground floor now accommodates a bedroom, en-suite, and small gym, creating valuable additional living space. Drawing on our experience of over 30 basement projects and extensive work on listed buildings, Shape Architecture successfully navigated the sensitive planning process, including close attention to details such as brick specification.

Click to link to our project in Third Avenue

Our project at Norfolk Road involves an extensive roof terrace in a prominent conservation area, adjacent to a listed building. Accessed via a glazed box, the new terrace provides valuable outdoor space and sweeping views, transforming a property with only a small garden. Alongside this, two substantial first-floor rear extensions were added, creating en-suites and walk-in wardrobes for the rear bedrooms. The result is a home that combines sensitive design with significant improvements in light, space, and functionality.

Click to link to our Norfolk Road Project

This project focused on reworking and extending a rear structure in Sandgate Road, where elegant detailing and careful material choices were central to the design. The existing single-storey rear addition, which housed the kitchen, was rebuilt at ground level to improve thermal performance and accommodate a new kitchen. Above, a new storey was added to create a contemporary bathroom. Key features include frameless glass-to-glass windows and green sedum roofs, combining modern design with sustainability and light-filled interiors.

Click to link to our Sandgate Road Project

A rear extension with a green sedum roof and the creation of a triple-height space above a repositioned stair have redefined the home’s character. On arrival, the interior feels light, spacious, and contemporary. A simple Velux rooflight brings daylight deep into the stair void, while the new oak stair—with open risers and a glass balustrade—adds elegance and enhances the play of light. From the upper floor, views are improved, and the sedum roof enriches the sense of garden space, making this compact property feel both generous and connected to nature.

Click to link to our Barclay Cottages Project

Common to all our projects is the use of glass to bring natural light into all parts of a project and to provide a better visual and physical connection between the Interior and exterior.  These vary from structural glass panels set into the floor to glass cubes housing stairs.  Large scale glazed panels and rooflights feature in our projects.

We carry out house extensions of all types, which all serve to transform a home.   Light bright contemporary interiors are formed with excellent views onto gardens beyond.  Very often the roof is a green sedum roof with an elegant rooflight set within.  This helps the extension merge into the garden when viewed from floor levels above.  We will design 3 or 4 options to discuss with our clients and all designs use 3D graphics to ensure clear communication.

Shape Architecture has been successful in obtaining planning permission for roof terraces throughout London.  These vary from those to Listed Buildings such as Florin Court, to a variety of Mews houses.  Our portfolio of roof terrace projects also include those to a typical terraced house and in several instances the house is divided into flats and the provision of a roof terrace to the upper floor flat is even more beneficial.

Our basement projects form an important part of our portfolio of work.  We have carried out over 30 basement projects throughout London.  Our basement extensions range from those to mews properties, to houses and below gardens and flats.

A successful basement extension rests on the bringing in of natural light into the interior, which is key in creating a quality of space and this is where we have much experience.  Added to this is the design of the stair which might be sat below a glazed section of roof.  Thereafter the arrangement of rooms and their relationship with lightwells is important to consider.

We communicate clearly to our clients, and this is the foundation for a successful project.  All designs, no matter what size, are developed in 3D alongside freehand drawing.  A typical concept proposals brochure will have 4 or 5 different options described in 3D, 2D and freehand drawings and this will be the basis for discussion with the Client as we determine the preferred design.