SJA’s award-nominated design team took advantage of the challenges and opportunities presented by this brief to develop a contemporary ground floor extension filled with light and designed to elegantly accommodate the significant level change across the existing dwelling. At roof level the architects successfully navigated the Conservation Area planning guidelines in this densely populated London suburb by creating a low-key loft conversion sympathetic to the surrounding built fabric and neighbourhood amenity. The overall result is a contemporary kitchen/dining/living space at the rear of the house, with generous areas of glazed roof adding to the internal sense of light and space. Achieving the clients wish of a calm living space for family in the evenings and weekends. Achieving the dormer and ‘pod’ extensions at loft level allowed the client to open up this level of the house, providing a generous access stair up to the higher level and an additional bedroom with ensuite and storage, which was a must for this growing family.