Client Vision
Our clients approached Gary White, owner and director of Winchester Design & Build, with a clear objective — to create a purpose-built kitchen and dining extension that would bring the family together, celebrate traditional mealtimes, and open directly onto the garden and BBQ terrace for the summer months.
Gary’s brief was to turn an underused rear corner of the property into the true heart of the home, full of light, comfort, and connection.
Replacing an Underused Space
The original rear of the property comprised a small lean-to and a 3 m × 3 m conservatory — both uncomfortable in extreme temperatures and seldom used.
These were replaced with a bespoke, open-plan kitchen and dining extension, designed for year-round use, offering modern living with improved thermal performance, natural light, and fluid access to the garden.
Structural Challenges & Innovative Solutions
This project presented complex structural demands. A 4 m × 2 m roof lantern was introduced above the flat roof, supported by a concealed steel beam framework carrying a 6 m-wide opening below.
These substantial steels were meticulously engineered to ensure stability without compromising ceiling height or aesthetic flow.
Below ground, reinforced concrete ring-beam foundations were required to counteract variable soil conditions identified through site investigations. Gary and his structural design team devised an elegant, durable solution that ensured complete stability and long-term resilience.
This combination of architectural design and technical precision is typical of Winchester Design & Build’s integrated approach — uniting structure, detail, and design excellence across Surrey and Hampshire.
A Bold Contemporary Design
The existing house featured twin gables and a traditional tiled roofline, calling for a carefully balanced approach. The extension was conceived as a crisp contemporary form, its warm brickwork and slimline dark-grey glazing providing contrast and character without overpowering the original architecture.
The result is a beautifully proportioned composition where old and new sit harmoniously together.
Family Functionality & Flow
A generous utility room was incorporated behind the main kitchen area, ensuring practicality and day-to-day efficiency while maintaining the open aesthetic. The kitchen itself forms a sociable hub — light-filled, spacious, and seamlessly connected to the outdoor terrace, allowing family gatherings and summer entertaining to flow naturally.
The Result
The completed Farnham extension stands as an outstanding example of how intelligent design and engineering expertise can transform everyday living.
Light, volume, and practicality are combined to produce a home that is uplifting, comfortable, and designed for modern family life.
Winchester Design & Build continues to set the standard for architectural design, structural problem-solving, and project delivery across Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire, creating homes that are as refined as they are robust.
Client Testimonial
“From the outset, working with Gary and his team at Winchester Design & Build was an excellent experience.
Gary’s leadership and his ‘nothing is too much trouble’ approach set the tone for the entire project. Whenever challenges arose, they were handled swiftly, giving me full confidence that everything was in expert hands.
The builders were first-class — skilled, professional, and a pleasure to have on site. The communication was clear and prompt, and the build was completed exactly as promised.
The end result is a light-filled, family-focused kitchen and dining extension that exceeded our expectations.
I would not hesitate to recommend Winchester Design & Build for any home extension or renovation in Surrey.”
— Mark, Homeowner, Farnham, Surrey
Planning & Compliance
The project was delivered with full planning approval from Waverley Borough Council, secured through Winchester Design & Build’s dedicated planning consultancy.
The design replaced outdated structures with a sustainable, energy-efficient extension that fully complies with both national and local planning policy.
Relevant Policy Alignment
- National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2023) – Section 12, Achieving Well-Designed Places.
- Waverley Local Plan Part 1 – Policy TD1 (Design quality in new development).
- Policy D1 (Sustainable design and construction).
- Policy D4 (Layout, relationship, and amenity).
Comprehensive supporting documents — including measured surveys, daylight analysis, and a design and access statement — ensured a smooth and efficient approval process with no neighbour objections.
All works were carried out under NHBC-approved construction standards and Building Regulations compliance, ensuring enduring quality and full certification on completion.
