We moved the awkward stairs to a more natural position to one side of the hall, opening up a clear sight line to the garden from the front door. A new lightweight extension replaces the old, a timber structure faced with white cladding and durable blockwork. Wanting to optimise views, morning light and space for planting, we set its back wall at a 45-degree angle to the existing footprint. It now reaches out 9 metres from the house, masking the blank wall of the neighbouring extension and giving longer connection between inside and out. Inside, the living space now has improved flow, rooflight at its furthest point drawing the eye up and through the space. We placed the doors of the more orthogonal front reception rooms opposite one another to give more of this open quality in the original part of the house.