Extending Georgian houses with modern sophistication and functional luxury

Considering an extension for your Georgian home? You’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Georgian extensions.

From choosing the perfect extension style to understanding whether or not planning permission is required for your home, we’ve got you covered. By the time we’re through, you’ll be ready to tackle your Georgian extension project like a pro.

Let’s dive in.

With so many iconic architectural styles in England, it can sometimes be difficult to remember exactly which style is which.

With this in mind, let’s start with the basics and pinpoint the features that define the timeless appeal of a Georgian home.

Characterised by their understated brick and stone facades, Georgian homes are defined by symmetry, classical proportions, and a timeless elegance that many consider the pinnacle of architectural sophistication.

Other features you’ll commonly see on a Georgian home include hipped roofs, sash windows, decorative cornices, and tall ceilings. These elements, paired with spacious interiors, all contribute to the enduring charm of Georgian architecture.

Georgian architecture dates back to the Georgian period, spanning from 1714 to 1830. As you might have guessed, this era coincided with the reigns of King George I, II, III, and IV in England.

Makes sense, right?

This era marked a period of profound social, political, and cultural transformation, aligning with the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the growth of the British Empire, and the emergence of Romanticism in art and literature.

Of course, given the Georgian era spanned over a century, there are notable variations in the details of Georgian home design depending on exactly when they were built. For instance, homes built later in the Georgian period often featured more decorative elements, such as stucco applied to the upper portion of the facade, adding a layer of elegance and ornamentation that was less common in the earlier, simpler designs.

Interestingly, there are also regional variations in materials and styles of Georgian homes. In the South East, they typically use red brick, which is in contrast with the Bath Stone used in places like Somerset.

With our history lesson now out of the way, let’s get into the nitty gritty and take a look at planning permission, pre-applications, and listed building consent in relation to your Georgian house extension.

Excitingly, extending a Georgian house in the UK may fall under permitted development rights, allowing certain minor extensions without formal planning permission. 

Crucially, these rights are subject to specific limitations regarding size, height, and proximity to boundaries. 

For single-storey rear extensions under standard permitted development, you can extend 3 metres out from the rear wall for semi-detached and terraced houses, or 4 metres for detached houses. 

The prior approval scheme, also known as the ‘larger home extension scheme’, allows even more generous extensions: 6 metres for semi-detached and terraced houses, or 8 metres for detached houses.

These rights come with important conditions: the extension can't be taller than 4 metres, must not take up more than 50% of your garden space, and needs to maintain minimum distances from property boundaries. The materials should also match or complement your existing house.

Keep in mind that if you want to extend a listed building or if your house is in a conservation area, these permitted development rights may not apply, and you'll likely need full planning permission.

Given that many Georgian houses are located in such areas or may themselves be Grade 2 listed, your architect will be key in navigating planning permissions, unlocking the full potential of your project, and crafting designs that honour the building's heritage while fulfilling your vision.

If your extension does require planning permission, then we would strongly urge you to utilise the services of an experienced team of residential architects.

Why?

Architects play an essential role in securing planning permission for Georgian house extensions by combining expertise in heritage preservation with modern design principles. 

Think about it.

Georgian houses are often located in conservation areas or are classed as listed buildings, meaning that any alterations must be carefully designed to maintain the historical integrity of the property. 

Okay, so what does the process look like?

In a nutshell, architects will begin by researching the building’s historical significance and reviewing local authority guidelines, including restrictions on materials, scale, and design features. By aligning the extension with these regulations, they can ensure the proposal respects the architectural character of the original structure.

In addition to their design expertise, architects will often handle the preparation and submission of the planning application or, in multidisciplinary practices like ours, would work closely with their internal planning team to make sure everything is done flawlessly.

The planning application process includes producing detailed planning drawings, heritage impact assessments, and design and access statements that justify the extension’s suitability in the context of the existing house and its surroundings. 

The architectural and planning teams will also liaise with planning officers and heritage consultants to address concerns or objections, making adjustments to the design as needed. 

Pre-application advice can be invaluable when planning an extension for a Georgian property, as it allows you to address potential planning challenges early in the process. 

This service, offered by local planning authorities, provides guidance on whether your proposal is likely to be approved and highlights key considerations that may affect the design and planning submission. 

For a Georgian house, which, as previously mentioned, may be listed or situated in a conservation area, pre-application advice helps identify restrictions on materials, scale, and design features that must be adhered to in order to preserve the historical character of the property.

During the pre-application process, planning officers may offer suggestions to refine your proposal to better align with heritage preservation guidelines and planning policies. 

This feedback then enables your architect to make necessary adjustments, such as selecting materials that complement the existing structure or modifying the scale of the extension to ensure it is sympathetic to the original design. 

The other major benefit of pre-apps is that by engaging in early discussions with the council, you’re demonstrating a willingness to collaborate, which can strengthen your case when the formal application is submitted. 

All in all, by addressing potential issues early, pre-application advice reduces the risk of delays and increases the likelihood of securing planning permission for your Georgian house extension.

We’ve mentioned that many Georgian homes will be listed, so let’s quickly go over the basics you need to know when it comes to achieving listed building consent, which is required for all extensions to listed buildings.

In short, consent ensures that any modifications preserve the building’s character and heritage. This applies to both external and internal changes, including extensions, alterations to original features like windows or doors, and even changes to internal layouts or decorative elements. 

What does the application process entail?

The application for listed building consent requires detailed plans and supporting documentation, such as a heritage impact statement explaining how the proposed changes will affect the property. 

Working with an architect experienced in listed buildings can help navigate this process, as they’ll have the expertise to design proposals that meet both your needs and the strict requirements of the local authority. 

What happens if you don't get listed building consent before going ahead with the works?

Consent is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and failure to obtain it before starting work can result in legal action and the requirement to reverse unauthorised changes (a nightmare), making early consultation with planning officers essential.

We know the history of Georgian house design and understand the required planning permission, now let’s take a closer look at how we should be designing our extension.

It’s hard to answer the question of which extensions are most suited to Georgian houses, as most sites are going to have different opportunities and constraints that an architect will have to work around. 

For example, if you’ve got a large, detached Georgian property, you’ll have more options at your disposal than a house with neighbours in close proximity or a small back garden area. 

However, when it comes to extending a Georgian property, most people opt for one of the following few options:

Because Georgian houses have a distinct, historical character, the aim of any extensions should be to improve the space without sullying the essence of what makes Georgian houses so special.

With this in mind, preserving original features such as cornices, mouldings, and sash windows wherever possible is highly recommended. Similarly, using materials in the extension that closely match those of the original home helps maintain a cohesive visual language, ensuring the extension blends seamlessly and avoids any jarring contrasts.

When approaching layout and functionality in extensions, especially for heritage properties like Georgian houses, the design needs to respect the flow and proportions of the existing building while accommodating modern living needs. 

This might sound simple enough, but in our experience, it can be something of an art form.

The process often involves strategic placement of doors, hallways, and windows to ensure smooth transitions between the old and new sections of the house. There should also be a focus on how the space will be used daily, tailoring the extension to the specific needs of the occupants. 

Lastly, incorporating flexible design elements, such as sliding partitions or multi-purpose rooms, will help to ensure the extension remains adaptable to future changes in lifestyle or requirements, adding long-term value to the property.

Blending contemporary designs with Georgian architecture needs to be done thoughtfully; there’s nothing worse than an extension that looks like a thoughtless add-on that is totally out of sync with the rest of the property. Of course, this is even more of a risk when you’re trying to develop a modern extension for a traditional house.

With this in mind, contemporary designs should focus on contrasts in materials and form, creating a clear distinction between old and new while still complementing the original home. For example, using glass, steel, or minimalist cladding for an extension can highlight the traditional stone or brickwork of the Georgian house, emphasising the beauty of the original features. 

Alternatively, modern additions can also take inspiration from Georgian principles, such as incorporating large windows or clean lines, but with a modern twist, like frameless glazing or open-plan interiors.

We’ve covered a lot in this article so far when it comes to extending a Georgian home but what does the building process look like?

It’s time to take a look.

When planning an extension to a Georgian house in England, complying with current building regulations to guarantee safety, energy efficiency, and structural integrity is crucial. 

Key considerations include structural stability, fire safety, moisture resistance, toxic substance management, sound insulation, ventilation, hygiene, drainage and waste disposal, combustion appliance safety, fall and impact protection, energy conservation, accessibility, and electrical safety.

This is also an area where your architect’s expertise becomes invaluable, ensuring that your extension complies fully with building regulations while seamlessly blending with the character and functionality of your Georgian home.

Structural engineering is vital in Georgian extensions as it ensures the safety, stability, and longevity of the new construction while preserving the integrity of the original structure. 

As we’ve run through today, Georgian houses often feature unique architectural elements, such as load-bearing masonry walls, timber frames, and delicate internal features, which require careful analysis and consideration during any extension project. Your architect will collaborate with a structural engineer to assess the existing building's ability to bear additional loads, ensuring that any new construction preserves the original structure's stability.

The question you’ve been waiting for us to answer: How much does a Georgian house extension cost?

Extending a Georgian property in the UK involves several considerations, with expenses typically ranging from £2,500 to £3,000 per square metre. The wide range here is because the cost of extending a house will vary depending on the scale, scope, and materials used in the design.

For instance, a typical Georgian extension with a size of 22sqm, built to a good standard and featuring popular additions such as bifolding doors, would cost in the region of £62,000. 

This estimate covers the construction of the extension itself but does not include costs for ground floor refurbishments or a new kitchen, which should be factored in if your project involves these elements. 

To make matters worse on the purse, when dealing with listed buildings (as we’ve established many Georgian properties are) costs can escalate by an additional 20% to 40%. 

That’s quite a jump. But why?

The increase for extending a listed Georgian property can be attributed to the need for specialised materials and skilled labour to preserve the property's historical integrity, particularly when considering period-appropriate detailing, traditional glazing solutions, and heritage restoration techniques.

If you’re going to the effort of extending your Georgian property, you want to be sure you're dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s.

To make sure quality control is maintained during construction, one of the best things you can do is ensure everyone is on the same page by organising a pre-construction meeting with all stakeholders - your architect, structural engineer, and builder, to name a few - to make sure expectations are set.

Once construction is underway, close monitoring of workmanship throughout the build is important. Regular site inspections should be conducted by your architect and project team, who will confirm that construction adheres to the approved design and materials. Establishing a healthy and open line of communication between all parties will help to address any issues promptly.

What about once the build is complete?

Post-construction quality control, including a thorough snagging process, is essential to ensure your Georgian extension integrates seamlessly with the original building. Your architect will play a key role in overseeing inspections, focusing on details like window and door alignment, material consistency, and precision in decorative features. Any discrepancies should be promptly flagged and rectified to preserve the character and charm of your Georgian home. 

Finally, securing all relevant certifications and approvals ensures the extension not only looks authentic but also complies with building regulations, giving you complete peace of mind.

So there you have it, our deep dive into all you need to know about extending your Georgian home.

Hopefully, you’ve learned some key items and walk away with confidence as you start the process of designing your dream Georgian extension.

If you’d like to discuss your project - whether it’s a Georgian extension or something completely different - we’d love to hear from you.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team to see if we’re a fit.