Hazeldene, Nickley Wood ⏐ Alterations & Extension⏐ Conversion
The Hazeldene project involved the sensitive alteration and roof extension of a mid-twentieth-century bungalow set within a rural woodland context near Shadoxhurst. The scheme reconfigured the existing dwelling to provide improved accommodation without increasing its footprint, instead utilising the roof space by raising the pitch, introducing gable ends, and extending over an existing flat-roofed rear addition. This created a more generous first floor with an enlarged bedroom, bathroom, and mezzanine space, alongside a reorganisation of the ground floor to form a new sitting room, study, and flexible guest accommodation. In parallel, the former integral garage was converted into a light-filled kitchen and family room through internal alterations carried out under permitted development.
The design enhanced both the functionality and appearance of the building while remaining sympathetic to its countryside setting. Unsympathetic materials were replaced with a cohesive palette including a new slate roof and oak weatherboarding, while a full-height glazed oak-framed elevation strengthened the relationship between the interior and the surrounding landscape. The proposals were carefully balanced to avoid increasing visual impact, ensuring the extended form remained subordinate to the original structure. The result was a significantly improved dwelling that combined contemporary living with a considered architectural response to its rural context.
