This rear single storey extension project on Market Street, Fordham, by Dan Page Architectural Services illustrates a sensitive yet contemporary approach to residential architecture within a village setting near Newmarket. The design enhances the functionality of the existing home while respecting its character and established garden context, delivering a modern living environment that integrates seamlessly with the original property.
Full planning permission was granted by East Cambridgeshire District Council Planning Authority. Following this approval, Dan Page Architectural Services secured building regulations approval and all other required statutory consents in a timely and efficient manner. This ensured the project progressed quickly and smoothly, without delays, fully meeting the client’s programme and budget requirements.
The extension is carefully proportioned to sit comfortably beneath the main roofline, maintaining a low visual impact when viewed from the garden. A restrained palette of materials ensures continuity with the existing dwelling, with facing brickwork and dark framed glazing providing a subtle contemporary update. Large bifolding doors open directly onto the rear patio, strengthening the connection between internal living spaces and the landscaped garden while allowing natural light to flood deep into the dwelling.
Consideration was given to the design and construction of the rear extension due to it’s close proximity to existing tree’s with preservation orders (TPO’s). An arborist report was completed and specialist foundations designed to protect the adjacent trees and vegetation.
Rooflights integrated into the roof of the extension further enhance natural daylight and provide balanced illumination throughout the day, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. These elements also help define key functional zones within the open plan arrangement, supporting both everyday use and social occasions
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The relationship between the extension and garden was a key design consideration. The new patio and level thresholds ensure a seamless transition between inside and outside, encouraging year round use of the outdoor space. Mature planting around the garden boundary has been retained, allowing the extension to sit comfortably within its established landscape setting on Market Street.
Internally, the new extension creates a generous open plan kitchen and dining area designed to support modern family living. The layout prioritises clear circulation, strong visual connections to the garden and flexibility of use. By reconfiguring the rear of the house, the project improves spatial flow and brings daylight into previously constrained areas of the home. The result is a calm, practical and highly usable living space that responds directly to the client’s day to day use.