A contemporary extension and internal remodelling to a Grad II Listed Victorian townhouse within the York historic core conservation area. The design challenges were to create a light and airy family living space at basement level, with connectivity and safe access to the garden.

In consultation with the client and Conservation Officer, we developed an uncompromisingly modern approach to the design. The rear wall of the house at basement level was removed, and the new kitchen space extended beneath the existing balcony as a fully glazed façade. The existing balcony has been fitted with glazed floor panels to introduce more light into the dept of the new plan, and a frameless glazed balustrade to integrate with the new contemporary frontage. The design of the new interventions is simple and lightweight so as not to compete with the existing proportions of the new glazed framework elements reflecting those of the existing windows.