House extension ideas
London is home to a diverse typology of properties and home-owners with a variety of needs. House extensions aim to create specific solutions to given needs and context, and no two projects are the same. Consider GOAStudio as your problem solvers, who will help you create the right environment for your home and lifestyle requirements. House extensions types can be grouped in a variety of ways. Below we have selected some projects to lend architectural inspiration and design ideas for your house extension. Below we have selected some projects to lend architectural inspiration and design ideas for your house extension.
You might find yourself walking in a rather small and modest house that instantly makes you feel at home, the spaces seem to flow, there is a clear sense of orientation even if you have never stepped in this house before, and if you happen to look carefully you will probably find lots of storage space hidden away from view in the most surprising places. This is what we aim to achieve for your home and we will need your help to understand what is important to you since this is what will drive our decision making.
“How long do we plan to live in the property, and how is our lifestyle likely to change over this time? What are the chances for a growing family, working from home, or picking up gardening as a hobby one day?” “What are the top three things we like about the house, and what are the top three things we want to change as part of extending and re-designing it?” “Do we have a specific budget ceiling and where do we want the money to be focused?” “What are the special elements of the design we do not want to compromise, and where can we be more flexible within the context of our budget?”
Going up | This includes roof extensions and creating additional floors above ground floor garages for example. Such extensions are the most economical way to add floor space to your property, however careful consideration is required to create a balance between the space added and any adjacent rooms. Planning issues come into play as well in addition to issues such as of relative floor levels, the design of staircases, and the overall circulation flow across the property. Going down | This is an expensive and construction-intensive way of adding floor space and is best avoided unless absolutely necessary, especially in the context of recent planning restrictions to basement extensions. Intelligently designed basement levels can still feel spacious and airy, with access to natural light, and in specific parts of London they can still be good value for money. Going out | Rear and side extensions, by a single storey or more, traditional, contemporary, or a combination of both, typically aim to create a larger kitchen, dining and living space for the family. At the same time such extensions can ignite a better relationship between the inside of the house and the rear garden. They tend to become the heart of the house, both in terms of the day-to-day life, but also as that special part of the home you can really stamp your aesthetic on, and transform to taste.
Or by asking why to extend: More space | Because families grow, kitchen areas are never large enough, and there is never enough storage space. Better space | Because rooms can be dark, the living areas can be cut off from the garden, and because everybody likes the convenience of an en-suite in the master-bedroom. Adding value | Because of stamp duty costs, the desire to step up the property ladder, and overall old good common sense. All of the above | Because our clients rarely have a single reason when embarking on their project, and we often have to work our way through considerations of practicality, cost, value, aesthetics, sustainability, and regulations before we put pen to paper and start with the design process.
GOAStudio | London residential architecture and interior design is an award-winning practice, specialising in architectural services for residential projects across London.
Our architectural team aims to provide a friendly and professional service. Our approach is based on carefully considering the particular aspects of each scheme before coming up with a creative way for our clients to instil their unique stamp on what we do and how we do it. Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Architects Registration Board (ARB).
Awards + Achievements

New planning approval | Rear house extension Enfield EN2
Rear house extension Enfield EN2 - We proposed the addition of a 4m. deep rear extension to create an enlarged kitchen and dining area that opens up to the rear garden. We made sure that the proposal could be considered as Permitted Development and we applied to...
New planning approval | Single storey front side house extension Barnet N2
Single storey front side house extension Barnet N2 - We proposed the addition of a single storey front / side extension that set back from the front boundary wall and in line with the front elevation to create an improved access to this single family dwelling and an...
New planning approval | Residential development and conversion to flats Hammersmith Fulham W6
Planning approval for a residential development and conversion to flats Hammersmith Fulham W6 - Erection of an additional floor at roof level; erection of front extensions at ground, first, second and third floor levels, and conversion of the ground floor garage into...
New planning approval | Residential development and conversion to flats Islington N7
Planning approval for residential development and conversion to flats Islington N7 - Single storey half-width upper floor rear extension, a new roof terrace, a new mansard roof extension, and internal alterations to create an...
New planning approval | Alterations and extension to a house in conservation area Harrow HA5
Planning approval conservation area Harrow HA5 - Addition of a new front porch, enclosing an existing veranda area at the rear to create a new guest room, and minor external alterations including to windows and doors. We are happy to announce that we obtained a new...