Constructed in the 1840’s to house the construction workers for the nearby railway and station, Railway Cottage presented an opportunity to extend and refurbish a charming but tired cottage to modern day standards. A life expired conservatory had become overrun with the paraphernalia of a young, growing family and the cramped kitchen and dining room offered minimal access and aspect to the extensive garden views to the rear.

The proposals sought to offer a new open-plan, kitchen-living-dining space, to the rear whilst freeing up the old kitchen area for utility and storage. Due to the sloping nature of the site the extension is stepped down to offer graded access to a patio and the garden beyond.

The proposed ground floor extension is a simple brick form, accentuated by a double header course of glazed bricks. The standard and glazed brick are of a similar tone, with the laying pattern being used to accentuate the lintel; this detail being extrapolated by the glazed ventilation course on the original dwelling as well as reference to the knapped flint station constructed just down the road. The proposed masonry contrasts the red tones of the original house with a flinty grey/brown and seeks to reference yet contrast the host dwelling.

The proposed timber roof is engineered so as the sarking acts as a diaphragm allowing for simple trusses to be exposed and expressed. The new roof spans from the new masonry walls back to the original wall plate of the bathroom, the originally adjoining out-house. The geometry ensures that the eaves height to the neighbours is minimised allowing a pantry to be installed to the boundary where headroom is tightest.

A master suite is proposed to the loft with a new zinc dormer comfortably set back from the eaves. The rhythm of the standing seam is maintained through large, picture windows with recessed lintels mimicking the timber detailing of the sash windows of the original house.