A personal project at The Old Customs House, Rottingdean.
The project is a useful example of Dalby Architecture’s approach to listed buildings, conservation area design and contemporary additions to historic homes.
The project shows how careful, well-considered alterations can improve the way an older building works while respecting its character, setting and significance.
Project type
- Personal project
- Grade II listed house extension
- Conservation area project
- Contemporary rear extension to a historic home
Considering changes to a listed building or conservation area property? Contact Nigel for an initial conversation.
Location
The Old Customs House, Rottingdean Conservation Area, Brighton, East Sussex
The challenge
The challenge was to create a useful modern rear extension to a Grade II listed building while respecting the historic character of the original house and its conservation area setting.
Listed buildings require particular care. New work needs to be justified not only in practical terms, but also in how it relates to the existing building, its materials, proportions, historic fabric and wider setting.
For a project like this, the question is not simply how to add more space, but how to do so in a way that feels deliberate, sensitive and architecturally coherent.
The design response
Dalby Architecture designed a contemporary rear extension intended to sit confidently alongside the historic building without trying to imitate it.
The approach demonstrates how a modern addition can be clearly of its time while still respecting the scale, character and significance of the listed house.
The design sought to improve the use of the property, create a stronger relationship with the rear garden and bring modern living space into a historic setting.
Planning, listed building and conservation approval
The project required careful consideration of listed building and conservation area constraints.
Dalby Architecture obtained Listed Building and Conservation Area approval for the extension, demonstrating the importance of a clear design argument and sensitive treatment of historic buildings.
The result
The completed project provides a contemporary addition to a Grade II listed home while preserving the character of the original building.
As Nigel’s own home, The Old Customs House also reflects the practice’s personal commitment to historic buildings, conservation areas and thoughtful contemporary design.
Relevant architect services
- Listed building alterations
- Conservation area projects
- House extensions
- Contemporary additions to historic buildings
- Planning applications
- Listed building consent
- Building regulations and technical design
Discuss your listed building or conservation project
Planning changes to a listed building, historic home or conservation area property?
Contact Nigel for an initial conversation.
Call: 01273 304 669
Mobile: 07734 391 742
Email: nigel@dalbyarchitecture.co.uk