DEANFIELD HOUSE
Contemporary extension and facelift to 1970's chalet property, Henley on Thames
Across the UK, many developer-built houses from the mid-twentieth century no longer meet the expectations of modern living, both in terms of layout and aesthetic. At Tait Architects, we see these homes as opportunities for transformation through contemporary, thoughtful design.
This project gave us the chance to reimagine a 1970s property on a prominent corner plot in Henley-on-Thames. While our clients loved the location, the house felt dated, uninspiring, and lacked the space they needed. Their brief was to create additional accommodation and a garage, and design a home that felt elevated to a place they would be proud to return to every day
OUR
APPROACH
This project involved a full transformation of the property, combining internal reconfiguration with a complete external makeover. The result is a modern, spacious home that its owners take pride in, and one that draws admiration from both visitors and passers-by.
Our proposal included a single-storey front and side extension to accommodate a new garage and additional living space, enhancing both functionality and the property's overall presence.
Key architectural features include a new dormer to enlarge an existing bedroom and elevate the front elevation, along with a covered entrance canopy that visually and functionally links the porch and garage, offering shelter and architectural cohesion. The exterior was re-clad using open-boarded Siberian Larch timber, chosen for its natural durability and ability to weather beautifully to a silvery grey over time.
The contemporary appearance was further enhanced through the use of modern materials such as fibre-cement roof slates, white render over original red brickwork, grey aluminium windows and doors, and a bold yellow front door as a vibrant focal point.
More than just an extension, this project aimed to rejuvenate and modernise the home, bringing it confidently into the twenty-first century with warmth, character, and lasting appeal.
PROJECT
GALLERY
DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
Our project went beyond mere expansion; it aimed to breathe new life into the property's exterior, bringing it into the modern era.
"Tait Architects has worked with our ideas and produced an exciting design to remodel our tired 1970s home. It got through planning the first time, with hugely positive comments and praise from our neighbours. We are all excited to see what the finished product will look like. We cannot rate Tait Architects highly enough." - Client, upon reception of planning permission
We are thrilled to have received such positive feedback from our clients, who expressed their satisfaction with the initial design and again with the final result.
"We are really happy with how the house has finished up looking. All Tait Architects' suggestions were really effective: vertical timber cladding, the tall window into the porch, the outdoor storm porch, and the high window into the garage. We love it, and have had literally hundreds of positive comments from neighbours and passers-by. Thank you so much." - Client, upon project completion
We are also grateful for the commendation from the local planning department, affirming "the design and quality of the proposed development".
This feedback underscores the success of our project in revitalizing a tired 1970s home into a modern, aesthetically pleasing dwelling that brings joy to its owners and community alike.