Extension to 1900s Victorian Terrace House on Beech Road in Chorlton

Suzanna’s 1900s Victorian terrace house, located on Beech Road in Chorlton, Manchester, had a traditional layout with two rear rooms: a very small kitchen and a dark dining room. Despite the south-facing aspect, the narrow windows restricted natural light, making both rooms feel confined and underutilized. The goal of the renovation was to create an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space that would be bright, functional, and suitable for family activities.

Design Proposal

The project proposed a single-storey rear extension to provide additional living accommodation. The design focused on maximising natural light and creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Key Features

Tall glazing was introduced to allow natural light to penetrate deep into the living space, addressing the issue of darkness.

The new layout integrated the kitchen, dining, and living areas, transforming them into a single, cohesive space that encourages family interaction.

The kitchen, designed by Kemp Kitchen in Sale, was carefully planned to include ample workspace and storage, while also providing space for a dining table, sofa, and a corner for children’s toys.

Client Feedback

“It is fantastic. It’s a pleasure to be in, and we all spend most of our time here as a family. It has achieved what we set out to do. The space now works perfectly for us as a family. Previously, we had two small rooms at the back—a very small kitchen and an underutilized dining room. Despite the south-facing aspect, the dining room was really dark due to narrow windows. Magda was local to Chorlton and really keen to work within my budget, providing practical support and ideas on how to configure the space effectively. The new layout is lovely; sometimes I do yoga in the morning with the sun streaming in, and it ticks all the boxes. It’s a great space for our family and for entertaining friends. The process from start to finish was excellent, with clear communication and invaluable practical advice.”

The extension has successfully transformed the previously dark and cramped spaces into a bright, open-plan living area. The thoughtful design and quality construction have created a functional, welcoming environment that the family enjoys daily. This project underscores the importance of maximising natural light and creating flexible living spaces in modern residential design. The collaboration among the client, architect, structural engineer, and contractor ensured that the project met all expectations and was completed to a high standard. The garden is still being finished, and a follow-up session is planned to review the complete transformation.

Project Overview

Property Type: Terrace

Age of Property: 1900s

Number of Bedrooms: 3

Proposal: Single Storey Extension

Location: Beech Road, Manchester, M21

Council: Manchester City Council

Structural Engineer: Nick Forman, BDI

Building Control: Wendy Dowse, Align Building Control

Architect: Magda Haener, Pride Road Manchester South

Contractor: Ian Blacktop, SE

Kitchen: Kemp Kitchen

Project Timeline

Date of Workshop: 25 July 2019

Date of Planning Application: 10 February 2020

Date of Planning Approval: 2 April 2020

Date of Building Regulations Plans Approval: 14 April 2020

It is fantastic. It's a pleasure to be in, and we all spend most of our time here as a family. It has achieved what we set out to do. The space now works perfectly for us as a family. Previously, we had two small rooms at the back—a very small kitchen and an underutilized dining room. Despite the south-facing aspect, the dining room was really dark due to narrow windows. Magda was local to Chorlton and really keen to work within my budget, providing practical support and ideas on how to configure the space effectively. The new layout is lovely; sometimes I do yoga in the morning with the sun streaming in, and it ticks all the boxes. It's a great space for our family and for entertaining friends.
Suzanna

The process from start to finish was excellent, with clear communication and invaluable practical advice.

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