Two storey rear extension & refurbishment: 53 Honey End Lane, Reading

A semi in Tilehurst

53 Honey End Lane in Reading is a traditional semi detached house. The owners wanted more space and a more contemporary feel, particularly at the back of the house facing the garden.

Design

A two storey rear extension adds a larger kitchen and family space downstairs and an extra bedroom above. The refreshed external finish combines timber cladding with white render, giving the rear elevation a contemporary character while the front of the house keeps its traditional appearance. A glazed gable at first floor and full height glazing on the ground floor connect the rooms with the garden.

3D visuals and sections

Because the change in finish is significant, we produced 3D visuals from the front and rear and cut away 3D sections. They show how the new rooms connect with the existing house and how the materials work together, which helped both the clients and Reading Borough Council understand the finished appearance.

Drawings

The package comprised proposed elevations, floor plans, sections and the 3D visualisations. The visuals also appear in our 3D CGI portfolio.

Mixing traditional and contemporary

A contemporary rear on a traditional house is acceptable to most councils where it is not prominent from the street. The front elevation keeps its character, and the change in materials is concentrated on the rear, where the timber cladding and render give the extension its own identity.

Layout

The ground floor becomes an open kitchen, dining and living space across the rear, while the first floor gains a bedroom lit by the glazed gable. The sections show how floor levels and ceiling heights align with the existing house.

Using 3D in applications

We increasingly include 3D views with householder applications for schemes with unusual materials, because they answer questions that elevations cannot, for example how the cladding returns around the corner.

More visuals

Further views of this house, including the cut away sections, are on our 3D CGI page.

Records

The owners commissioned drawings and 3D visuals together, showing how 3D can be added to a standard householder package for a modest extra fee.

Neighbours

The two storey part was positioned to limit its effect on the attached neighbour, keeping the deeper glazed element at ground floor.

Timber and render

Timber cladding and white render are durable, low maintenance finishes that work well together. The render covers the main walls of the extension, while the cladding wraps the first floor gable and frames the glazing.