Rear Extension & Kitchen, Primrose Hill NW1
Side-return and rear extension to a mid-terrace Regency property in Primrose Hill, creating a 7-metre kitchen-dining-family space with frameless structural glazing and a landscaped courtyard garden. 10-month programme in Camden’s conservation area.
Opening Up a Regency Terrace to Garden Living
This classic three-storey Regency terrace behind Primrose Hill park had a common problem: a dark, narrow kitchen in the original rear return with no connection to the garden. The owners wanted a single, generous family space flowing seamlessly into the rear garden.
Our design wrapped around the existing rear return, combining a side-return infill with a full-width rear extension under a single flat roof with three large rooflights. The rear wall is entirely glazed with frameless structural glass doors that slide completely open in summer.
Structurally, two large steel portal frames carry the rear of the original building and support the new flat roof, allowing a completely column-free span across the full 7-metre width. The existing period features on the ground floor were all retained and restored.
Camden’s planning team approved the scheme after a single round of amendments. The courtyard garden was designed by a landscape architect with layered planting, an outdoor dining area and integrated LED lighting.
Project Timeline
Brief & Survey
Measured survey including drainage mapping. Structural assessment confirmed the side-return wall was non-loadbearing.
Design Development
Extension form refined through three iterations, testing rooflight configurations and glazing proportions.
Planning & Building Regs
Full planning application with Design & Access Statement and heritage impact assessment. Approved with minor conditions.
Technical Design
Structural steelwork details, foundation design, M&E layouts and glazing shop drawings.
Construction
Foundations, steelwork, flat roof and rooflights installed. Frameless glazing system precision-installed. Polished concrete floor poured.
Kitchen & Fit-Out
Bespoke handleless kitchen installed. Second-fix electrics and plumbing. Internal decoration and period feature restoration.
Landscaping & Handover
Garden landscaping including York stone terrace, raised planters and outdoor lighting. Snagging and handover.
What We Delivered
Side-Return & Rear Extension
Combined side-return infill and full-width rear extension creating 45 sqm of additional ground-floor living space under a flat sedum roof with three rooflights.
Frameless Structural Glazing
Full-height, full-width frameless structural glass rear wall with sliding doors. Minimal sightlines and flush floor track.
Bespoke Kitchen
Handleless matt-lacquer kitchen in warm grey with engineered stone worktops, integrated Miele appliances, and a 4-metre island.
Courtyard Garden Design
Landscape architect-designed rear garden with York stone terrace, raised Corten steel planters and integrated LED uplighting.
Investment Breakdown
How the project budget was allocated across the major work packages.
Problems We Solved
Tight Side Access
No rear access — all materials had to be carried through the house from the front door.
Careful sequencing: structure completed before kitchen delivery. Glazing panels craned over the roof in a single-day operation.
Conservation Sensitivity
Camden required the extension to be invisible from the street and sensitive to neighbouring amenity.
Flat sedum roof below parapet line. Rooflights recessed and angled. Obscured glass to side-return boundary.
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Planning a Similar Project?
Whether you are considering a rear extension, side-return conversion or kitchen project in Primrose Hill, Camden or NW1, our team can help.