Architecture designs for an extension transform this Berkshire period cottage

This charming West Berkshire period cottage suffered from a series of small and dark rooms. But it had amazing potential. After uncovering the homeowner’s aspirations, Absolute Architecture produced architecture designs that made the homeowners fall in love with their cottage all over again.

By really examining the current space, we were able to lift the gloom by adding a vaulted kitchen extension with rooflights. To stay in keeping with the period cottage, the interiors of this vaulted extension was traditionally designed with exposed oak trusses.

Location: Hamstead Marshall, Berkshire

Materials: The bricks were matched by specialists, including local silvered header bricks. The detailing and mouldings are all specially made to match the existing property.

Clever aspects: This kitchen extension makes sense of the existing period cottage, providing space to contrast with cosiness, light to contrast with gloom. The architecture design of the new space has brought much needed love back to the existing cottage.

Friends on the project:  Key suppliers, partners and contractors for this period cottage extension were:

• D’Urberville Construction employed their traditional construction knowledge beautifully
• Mumford and Wood provided all the windows and doors
• The Roof Light Company provided the Neo rooflights
• Neptune designed the kitchen.

We love: This warm, cosy, inviting kitchen just makes you want to stay all day. It’s the perfect place to gather and relax. The vaulted ceilings in the kitchen and simple play of light just work effortlessly to brighten the whole home – perhaps not at all surprising, this home is our most pinned photo on Pinterest!