Historical English Cottage With A Cantilevered Glazed Extension

From the meandering leafy country lane, a casual glance over the hedgerows would not reveal anything unusual about this cozy cottage. Set back from the road behind green lawns and native flowers, it’s red roof tiles gather moss and traditional wooden framed windows nestle behind dense ivy, with no clue as to what lies behind.

A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Exterior

The surprise element makes this new architectural addition more impactful. As you round the corner of the gravel drive, the house becomes suddenly transparent thanks to an ultra modern glass walled extension which makes an open plan kitchen under a floating cantilevered ceiling the centrepiece of the home.

Modern Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects

The beautiful woodland setting filters dappled light onto the stone work surface and table of the kitchen dining area. TV and Film producers Elaine Sperber and Nick Manzey wanted to maximise views out to the garden and trees.

Corner Window - A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects - dining

The couple were familiar with Stephen Marshall Architects’ award winning gallery and artist’s house designs local sculpture park Roche Court and were keen to employ a similar approach to materials and detailing to extend living space and natural lighting at their Hampshire cottage.

Interior with an open space extension - A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Leafs

Substantial oak doors swing and prop open allowing easy access to an outdoor green slate terrace, for al fresco dining and BBQs.

A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects - Outdoor
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects - Old Doors

The floor connects the inside and outside space and contrasts with the painted brick and slate of the victorian cottage. New views have opened up the cosy wooden beamed sitting rooms with views through to the light filled kitchen area.

A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Interior
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Kitchen island

The architect’s approach on plan was to ‘complete’ the square.

“The existing cottage has an ‘L’ plan and the extension sits in the gap, held back slightly to keep it out of sight when approaching the original cottage. the original cottage is Victorian and our extension would apply modern structure and material, plate glass and cantilevers.”

As with many projects completed in a historical context, Stephen Marshall Architects intention was that the extension should be clearly different from the original building allowing both to be read independently.

A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Bedroom

A new master bedroom and en-suite bathroom were created on the upper level, much to the delight of the couple’s pet dogs, seen regularly lounging on top of the bed. Furniture and floorings tie in with the oak used in the window shutters. The structure is innovative and required substantial amounts of computer modelling to create the open cantilevered corner.

“A projecting beam had to be pre-cambered allowing it to sink when the weight of the upper level was applied to it.”

A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Wardrobe
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Bathroom

The bathroom marries muted green toned ceramic tiles to simple white walls and a warm wooden floor.

Beautiful reflections in the glass walls change throughout the seasons creating a sense of harmony with the surroundings. Inside lighting is kept subtle thanks to recessed ceiling lights that don’t interrupt the natural green views.

A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Glass
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects windows shutters
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Decor

As dusk falls, the warm glow invites a retreat into the shelter of the cantilever.

A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects - ceiling
A Cantilevered Glazed Extension by Stephen Marshall Architects Porch

Construction was carried out by Martin Price of Salisbury and took 9 months with some delays to allow for rare wildlife and bat surveys. The 70m2 extension with a total budget of £250k was completed in February 2015.

Vine outdoor building wrap
Old house with vine

Stephen Marshall Architects worked with Terry Farrell & Partners before forming Munkenbeck+Marshall Architects, from which Stephen Marshall Architects LLP evolved. The practice have a wealth of experience with Cultural Projects such as the RIBA award winning Roche Court and the Rothschild Foundation and have completed a significant number of unique private houses and extensions.

Photography by Liz Eve.