Project Type: Single-storey and two-storey extension
Location: Shire Road, Leeds
Architect: Magda, Pride Road Architects
Client Brief: Open-plan family space, more bedrooms, better views to the garden
Build Completed: 2023
The clients had recently bought a detached 2002 house on Shire Road. While the property was relatively modern, it felt overly compartmentalised—particularly with a schoolroom-like layout that restricted flow and limited any real connection to the garden.
With a growing family and children soon to be returning with families of their own, the clients wanted to create a brighter, more spacious home that could adapt to their changing needs. They approached Pride Road with a clear vision to:
Create an open-plan living space
Improve connectivity to the garden
Add a utility room and pantry
Include a home office
Expand the number and size of bedrooms and bathrooms
Magda worked closely with the clients through a number of design options, refining and tailoring the layout to suit their evolving lifestyle. The final scheme delivered on all fronts:
A generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living area to the rear, opening onto the garden
A walk-in pantry and utility room discreetly positioned at the centre of the ground floor
A front-facing home office and downstairs WC
A two-storey side/front extension that created a master bedroom with en-suite—a rare planning approval, made possible by the house’s detached layout and ample front garden
A reconfigured upstairs layout, accommodating an enlarged family bathroom and three further double bedrooms, creating a well-balanced four-bedroom home
The project progressed smoothly on site, with the clients particularly pleased with their builder. Careful attention was paid to detail, especially in matching the front brickwork of the extension to the existing house—so much so that the addition is almost indistinguishable from the original structure.
After the build was completed, an unexpected issue arose. The private building inspector appointed by the clients went out of business before signing off the project. As a result, the clients were left to seek retrospective building control approval through the local council.
Unfortunately, the inspector’s sudden closure had left hundreds of projects across the region uncertified, and the local authority was overwhelmed by the backlog. While the process took time and patience, the necessary certification was eventually secured.
This Shire Road project demonstrates how thoughtful design, collaborative working, and attention to planning details can transform a house into a future-ready home. With flexible open spaces, well-proportioned rooms, and enhanced functionality, the property now provides the perfect setting for extended family living—blending seamlessly with the original structure, inside and out.
“This was a wonderful project to work on. We were able to take a relatively modern but disjointed house and unlock its potential—creating not only a beautiful flow inside but a layout that supports a growing, multi-generational family. The planning success at the front was a real win, and it’s been a joy to see it all come together.”
— Magda, Architect at Pride Road
Pride Road
