Stewart and Fiona asked us to update their tired, detached house into a welcoming, warm and comfortable home for their retirement. We transformed the maze of dark living spaces to provide an open, light filled home perfect for hosting family and friends. We achieved planning permission within a conservation area for a new rear extension that provides a large, open-plan entertaining space with a fantastic relationship to the garden. A welcoming approach to the house was created with an improved front entrance where Stewart and Fiona can great their guests in a dramatic, double height hallway. The carefully thought out plan creates views through the house, providing spaces to both be alone and stay connected to the rest of the household. We guided the construction process that including new insulation, air-tightness work and mechanical ventilation to make their new home a wonderfully warm and comfortable place to live during retirement.