Extending listed houses: an architectural approach 19.12.25
Overhead Sketch - Wessex House
Extending a listed house can be a complex and highly regulated process. Statutory protections are in place to safeguard historic character, meaning that any alteration must preserve the architectural and cultural significance of the original structure. Listed Building Consent (LBC) is required for works that affect the character of the building, and undertaking alterations without consent can constitute a criminal offence, even where changes may appear minor.
The best designs are those that complement the building, minimise harm, and use materials or modern touches that highlight its historic significance rather than compete with it.
Why appoint an architect?
Extending a listed house is not simply a matter of adding space. It requires a careful understanding of heritage, regulation and design. The statutory framework is complex, and the consequences of misjudged decisions can be significant. An architect provides the expertise needed to balance the requirements of conservation with the demands of modern living.
Working with an architect means:
Improved likelihood of consent. Architects are experienced in developing proposals that respond sensitively to historic settings and in presenting schemes clearly and convincingly to planning authorities.
Protection of historic significance. Professional oversight helps to avoid costly errors that could damage heritage value or lead to refusal of consent.
Creative and considered solutions. An architect can identify design opportunities that enhance both the existing building and the way it is used, often revealing possibilities that may not otherwise be apparent.
Recent listed building projects by House Form
Wessex House
We recently gained planning approval and building consent for a 30sqm extension to Wessex House, a listed dwelling in Hampshire. The project replaces a series of unsympathetic additions with a single, coherent form that sits comfortably alongside the original house.
Wessex House Internal Sketch
At its heart is a vaulted kitchen and living space, filled with natural light and opening directly onto the garden. The extension significantly improves thermal performance through high levels of insulation and careful detailing, creating a comfortable and efficient environment throughout the year.
Externally, the design draws on the proportions and materials of the existing building, reinterpreted in a restrained contemporary manner. The result complements the historic fabric without resorting to imitation.
House Form managed the project through planning and building control, securing the necessary consents and coordinating health and safety in the role of Principal Designer. The completed extension provides a calm, practical addition that respects the building’s heritage while supporting contemporary family life.
Adventurer’s Cottage
Adventurer’s Cottage is a Grade II listed home in Hampshire, rich in character but constrained by small rooms and limited views to the garden. The clients sought a calm, functional home suited to everyday living for two, with the flexibility to accommodate visiting family.
Adventurer’s Cottage External Photo
We designed a modest 65 sqm extension that opens up the plan, bringing the kitchen, dining and living areas together in a single, light-filled space. Oriented towards the garden, the new room draws daylight into the heart of the cottage and forms a focal point for daily life.
As the property is listed, the design was developed in close collaboration with the conservation officer and planning authority. Particular care was taken in how the new structure connects with the original fabric and in the treatment of historic elements.
The clients chose a self-build approach, undertaking much of the construction themselves. We remained closely involved throughout the process, providing technical support and resolving issues as they arose.
The completed home now feels more open and adaptable while retaining the intimacy of the original rooms. The extension offers a generous social space that supports everyday living and family gatherings, strengthening the relationship between the house and its setting.
Adventurer’s Cottage Living Room
Extending a listed building demands careful judgement, technical expertise and a deep respect for heritage. With the right approach, it is possible to create thoughtful, well-crafted additions that enhance both the historic fabric and the way a building is lived in today. By working closely with clients, conservation officers and contractors, House Form aims to deliver sensitive, enduring designs that protect architectural significance while supporting contemporary life.