Bushy Park: Contemporary Rear Extension in Totterdown, Bristol

Bushy Park is a carefully designed rear extension and remodelling project in Totterdown, Bristol. Wall Architecture provided full architectural services to transform a period family home for modern living while respecting its distinctive historic character.

Project overview

Location: 13 Bushy Park, Totterdown, Bristol, BS4 2EG
Project type: Single-storey rear extension and internal remodelling
Existing building: Three-storey semi-detached period house
Planning route: Householder planning permission
Services: Survey, design options, planning, technical design and construction support
Project status: Planning permission granted and construction completed

A distinctive period family home

The existing property is an attractive three-storey semi-detached house. Its principal elevation has an ashlar stone frontage and a large bay window. Stone lintels, cills, window surrounds and quoins give the building a strong architectural character.

Traditional sash windows complete the front elevation. The rear of the house is finished in red brickwork.

The client’s brief

The property required important repairs and layout changes when it was purchased.

Several small rooms at the rear created an awkward kitchen, utility and storage arrangement.

The client wanted an open-plan space where the family could cook and dine together. Practical utility and storage areas also needed to be incorporated. Any new addition needed to feel contemporary, carefully designed and built to a high standard. It also needed to complement the historic house rather than compete with it.

Working with the existing building and steep site

The design had to work carefully with the existing fabric. Thick masonry walls and solid floors required detailed examination before the internal layout and structural openings could be developed. The rear garden also rose steeply away from the house.

A landscaping design was prepared with retaining walls and substantial excavation. This increased the amount of usable garden space and helped connect the extension with the external areas.

A full-width contemporary extension

The existing long and narrow rear projection contained a WC and utility area. It sat against the site boundary and restricted the layout of the ground floor. This structure was removed and replaced with a three-metre-deep, full-width single-storey extension.

Careful internal reconfiguration created the open-plan kitchen and dining space the family wanted. Separate utility and storage areas were retained behind the main living space.

Contemporary materials and detailing

A standing-seam metal roof gives the extension a crisp and contemporary appearance.

Off-white rendered walls provide a calm contrast with the stone and red brick of the original house. The design is deliberately modern while remaining sensitive to the proportions and character of the period property.

A window designed around family life

A low-level window was positioned 450 mm above finished floor level beside the dining area. The internal dining space can be arranged directly against the window. When opened, it also connects with an external bench in the garden.

This allows the family to dine beside the open window from inside or use the same feature from outside. The detail makes efficient use of the relatively compact urban garden while creating a distinctive connection between the house and landscape.

Planning approval and completed project

A householder planning application was submitted in July 2024. Planning permission was granted within eight weeks. The project has since been constructed to a high standard. Finished project photography is planned.

Our architectural services

Wall Architecture provided full architectural services across the RIBA Plan of Work stages, including:

Measured survey
Initial design options
Planning drawings and submission
Construction drawings
Assistance with technical and site queries

A more valuable and enjoyable family home

The completed project provides generous, practical spaces for everyday family life.

It creates a high-quality contemporary addition to the period house and improves the relationship between the home and garden. The work has added value through both the family’s enjoyment of the property and the quality of the completed design.

Considering a house extension in Bristol?

Wall Architecture designs carefully considered extensions that respond to the character of the existing building and the needs of the people who live there.