Manor Drive
Before. After.
The Project
At Manor Drive in Brent, the brief was to transform the frontage of a detached family home while retaining the existing house. The facade redesign forms part of a wider proposal for rear extensions, roof changes and alterations to the accommodation.
The challenge
The original cream-painted frontage was partly hidden by mature planting, while a large conservatory occupied much of the rear elevation. The design needed to bring the front, roof and rear additions together while considering neighbouring outlook, garden space and retained trees.
Our role
ACDS developed the architectural scheme and drawings for a householder planning submission. The proposal combines paired bays, twin gables, red brickwork and stone detailing at the front with a permanent replacement for the conservatory at the rear.
Our house extension drawings bring the proposed layouts, elevations and roof changes into one package. The comparison above presents the original frontage alongside the facade design.
Project Gallery
Selected architectural drawings, technical details and project views from the coordinated design package.
Planning & Heritage
Retaining and extending the existing house
The planning case is based on improving the existing dwelling rather than demolishing it. Traditional pitched roofs, bays and proportioned openings connect the proposal with the varied detached houses in its setting.
Rear projections, garden space and neighbouring windows
The proposed rear accommodation includes an 8-metre ground-floor extension and a 3.7-metre first-floor projection, retaining approximately 90 square metres of usable private garden. The first-floor layout was developed around neighbouring habitable-room windows and the 45-degree assessment described in the planning statement.
The roof proposal includes a 455 mm ridge increase to resolve the roof over the extended house while retaining a conventional pitched silhouette and avoiding an additional storey.
Project stage: the scheme was prepared for a householder planning submission. The dimensions above describe the proposal.
Architectural Design
A balanced frontage
Paired bays give the front elevation a clearer rhythm, with the central entrance as its focal point. Red brickwork, stone window surrounds and dark frames define the openings, while twin gables connect the composition at roof level. Consistent window proportions, cill levels and detailing help the alterations read as one design.
Replacing the conservatory
The proposed extension replaces the conservatory with accommodation that relates more closely to the main house. Openings and materials are considered alongside the retained building and the relationship between the living space and garden.
For the design and drawing stages involved in this type of addition, see our single-storey extension service and double-storey extension design.
Retained trees and the frontage landscape
The accompanying arboricultural assessment identifies no incursion into the root protection areas of retained trees. The landscape proposal includes protection during construction and four replacement trees, divided between the front and rear gardens. Driveway parking is retained, with planting and surface-water management considered as part of the frontage design.
Project Outcome
One design for the frontage and rear additions
The scheme brings the facade makeover, roof changes and rear extensions together around the retained house. Its design aims are a more balanced street elevation, a replacement for the conservatory and a useful garden alongside the additional accommodation.
For a related extension scheme in the same borough, view Wrottesley Road’s extension and loft conversion, or browse our Brent projects.
Planning changes to both the appearance and layout of your home? Book a design consultation to discuss the property, your brief and the drawings required.