Living in a conservation area or period home comes with both advantages and disadvantages. As you will have been made aware at the time of purchase, you will need permission to alter, extend, or demolish your home. Period homes are protected and should be preserved, and where at all possible you should not alter their features. So, what about listed building extensions? Can you extend you listed build, and if so, how?
Basic Principles for Listed Building Extensions
It is possible to extend your listed building. But you will need to stick to some basic principles for listed building extensions. First and foremost, you should show an understanding to the heritage significance or your home and its setting. Any extension should not harm the special interest or heritage value of the build. Any extension should not become a dominant feature of your home. A small extension that is lower than the rest of the build and tastefully designed in a subordinate fashion is acceptable. Here, the materials used for the extension should be very carefully selected.
Listed building extension need to fulfill a function that is in the interest of the build in the long term. Your extension should also add, or at least sustain the value of your home. The build must be of a high quality finish and carried out with the best materials and craftsmanship.
Design Approaches
There are five approaches to your contextual design. These are restoration, complementary addition, replication, assertive contrast, and deferential contrast. Restoration is the reconstruction of missing elements, or the restoration of original features that have been previously hidden. In the case of replication, the new work must match the original build, both in material as well as style.
Complementary additions are the category used for listed building extensions. Your extension must not detract from the original character of your home. It must be well-balanced with you original build, and it must be well-designed.
Conclusion
Extending your listed build can be challenging and to ensure a success you should always use the services of a reputable conservation builder. BBN can put you in touch with local specialists with the necessary experience for adding an extension to your home, or for carrying out other building and restoration work.
Investing in a listed building is not the same as buying a normal home. There will be trying times ahead. Like all buildings, you will need to carry out regular maintenance. But, unlike with a normal home, you will always need permission to carry out any work. From restoring stain glass windows, to uncovering a fireplace and chimney, all building work for your home should be carried out by a professional team. The construction of your home will be very different to that of a modern build. Walls will be made of different materials and support beams will be completely different to those in a modern home. It is therefore very important to never try to carry out any building work alone.