Modern Extension: House in Carshalton with a beautiful tree lined garden
This detached house in Carshalton, South London features a striking single-storey modern extension, designed to create a seamless connection between the interior and the surrounding garden. The extension embraces contemporary design principles, with clean lines, open-plan living, and an emphasis on natural light.
Project Type: Renovation and Extension
Project Profile: The project involves a single storey extension to a detached house with delightful tree lined garden in Carshalton
Location: Carshalton, Surrey
Build Time: 7 months
A modern approach was taken in the design of this extension, with clean architectural lines and a restrained material palette inspired by early 20th-century modernist design. This refined aesthetic is continued at the front of the property with updated glazing and a simple white rendered façade, creating a cohesive language between old and new.
To the rear, full-height glazing defines the extension, dissolving the boundary between inside and out. Large sliding doors and uninterrupted glass panels frame views of the garden, allowing natural light to flood into the interior spaces. The open-plan layout enhances the flow throughout the home, offering a bright, spacious and adaptable living environment ideal for both family life and entertaining.
The result is a carefully considered design that both respects the character of the original house and introduces a crisp, contemporary layer. The connection to the garden is celebrated at every turn, making this extension a tranquil and inviting retreat in the heart of South London.
Homeowner Brief:
The homeowners brief was to create an open-plan, social space for the family and friends to enjoy a view of the stunning garden and trees. The space is to be flooded with natural daylight.
Home Profile:
The house is a large suburban detached property sitting within a generous plot with a splendid garden and large trees.
To learn more about this case study or talk about your own porject, please contact us by phone at 020 7095 8833 or via email at hello@modelprojects.co.uk.
Selection of views
Key Design Features
Height and openness were key drivers in the design of this modern, light-filled extension. The architectural approach focused on creating a space that feels expansive and connected to the outdoors. At the rear, large full-height sliding doors span the width of the extension, opening onto a new garden terrace and blurring the line between interior and exterior living.
To manage the scale and reduce the perceived bulk of the extension, the rear elevation has been designed with a staggered, cubist form. This thoughtful articulation introduces visual interest and helps to break down the massing. Timber cladding and overhanging elements soften the architecture, adding warmth and texture while enhancing the overall composition.
On the first floor, large panoramic windows have been introduced to the rear, framing views of the mature trees and tranquil garden beyond. These carefully positioned windows flood the upper rooms with natural light and provide a strong connection to the serene landscape.
Click Through Gallery
Moving Inside
Internally, the focus is a light-filled open-plan space designed for family life and entertaining. This expansive area is thoughtfully broken into three linear zones: kitchen, dining, and family snug, creating a natural flow while maintaining a sense of definition between uses. At the heart of the layout sits an open-sided fireplace, offering warmth and a visual focal point that connects the three zones.
The kitchen features a large central island, perfectly positioned to enjoy views across the open-plan living space and out to the garden beyond. Design highlights include herringbone timber flooring, striking feature lighting, and internal Crittall-style doors that contribute to the home's industrial-modern aesthetic.
A dedicated children’s playroom is tucked just off the main living space, complete with direct access to the garden. To the front of the house, the original living room has been transformed into a cosy cinema room, offering a separate retreat for quiet evenings.
As part of the wider renovation, all bedrooms and bathrooms have been fully upgraded, including the main staircase from ground to first floor. The bathrooms adopt a clean, contemporary feel with oversized slate tiles, wall-mounted sinks, and generous walk-in showers. Echoing the ground floor’s design language, Crittall-style shower screens bring continuity and a touch of industrial elegance to the upper floors.
Before and After 3D Cut-through Plans
After: 3D Floorplans
Before: 3D Floorplans
Route to Planning and Onsite Construction:
Due to the overall size and height of the extension, a full planning application was required. A separate application was also submitted for a loft conversion, which features an oversized triangular dormer to the rear. This element of the project is intended to be delivered in a second phase of the works.
Given the presence of mature trees and changes in boundary levels, piled foundations were specified to support the new extension. To facilitate the generous open-plan layout, a large structural steel frame was installed along the rear of the original house, enabling a seamless connection between the new and existing spaces.
High-performance glazing was selected for the large sliding doors across the rear elevation. These high-quality glass units were chosen not only for their visual clarity and thermal performance, but also to reduce solar gain and glare enhancing comfort throughout the year.
