Modernising a Victorian Terrace in High Barnet
This 1890s terraced house was purchased with the vision of carrying out a complete renovation. The previous owners had lived in the property for over 40 years and, while it had been lovingly maintained, it remained largely untouched in terms of modern updates.
Model Projects proposed a comprehensive transformation, including a full house refurbishment, the addition of a single-storey rear and side extension, and a thoughtfully designed loft conversion. The renovation also included new flooring and decoration throughout, breathing new life into the period home.
Project Type: Renovation and Extension
Project Profile: The house had a full renovation including a side to rear extension and full loft conversion in Barnet
Location: Barnet, North London
Build Time: 7 months
The single-storey extension dramatically improved the ground floor layout, creating a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area. A pitched roof design with multiple glazed roof panels ensures the space is bathed in natural light, enhancing the sense of openness and warmth.
To maximise the home’s potential, an L-shaped loft conversion was added over both the main rear slope and annex roof. This allowed for the creation of a large double bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe, and an adjoining bathroom. These additions provide a modern and refined aesthetic while remaining sympathetic to the character of the original property.
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.
Click Through Gallery
Project Design and Features:
Blending Modern Functionality with Period Charm
One of the key design features of this project was the creation of a bright, open-plan kitchen. A modern island was introduced, offering ample storage and providing a clear separation between the kitchen and the adjacent living area.
To the rear, large three-panel bi-folding doors open out onto the garden, inviting natural light deep into the home and connecting the interior to the outdoor space. The anthracite grey frames of both the bi-fold doors and the glazed rooflight add a sleek, contemporary edge, while a feature wall of exposed London stock brick runs the length of the extension, offering a tactile contrast and subtly distinguishing the kitchen from the dining and living spaces.
Between the kitchen and the staircase, a triangular panel of fire-rated glass forms a striking yet functional partition. This clever feature enhances the feeling of openness and allows light to flow freely throughout the ground floor.
Additional improvements include repositioned understairs storage doors to optimise accessibility, and a new staircase leading to the loft, carefully designed to follow the return of the existing stairs to the first floor.
The updated family bathroom now features a spacious corner shower enclosed in frameless glass and a beautifully tiled feature wall, adding both elegance and practicality to the space.
Before and After 3D Cut-through Plans
After: 3D Floorplans (Ground, First and Loft)
Before: 3D Floorplans (Ground, First and Loft)
Route to Planning
Model Projects decided to utilise the property’s Permitted Development Rights, and due to the depth of the extension being over 3 meters a prior notification was required.
Following this the application for planning was submitted through a Certificate of Lawfulness for both the rear extension and loft conversion with approval being granted.
Permission for the ground floor, single storey rear extension was gained under Class A - enlargement, improvement or alteration under the property’s Permitted Development.
Permission for the loft conversion was gained under Class B - the enlargement of a dwellinghouse consisting of an addition or alteration to its roof
The property was increased in size by 39m2, with the original property being 90m2 and increased to 129m2, with a volume increase from 242m3 to 312m3.
