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by Sean Hill on Aug 1, 2025
Georgian homes have a quiet kind of confidence. They don’t shout. They simply endure—with their symmetry, tall sash windows, and understated grace. Built during a time of enlightenment and elegance, these homes are more than just bricks and mortar—they are part of our cultural memory.
And yet, to live in one today often requires transformation.
At RISE Design Studio, we believe that extending a Georgian home isn’t about disrupting the past. It’s about layering the future—sensitively, sustainably, and with soul.
Let’s explore what it takes to shape that future.
A low-energy, contemporary rear extension to a Georgian home, blending timeless architecture with sustainable design and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
A Respectful Beginning
Before the first sketch, before even the first conversation with planners, comes something simpler: respect.
Respect for history. For proportion. For the old ways of building that still hold wisdom today.
Georgian architecture, with its harmonious façades and tall ceilings, was born in an era of craft and civic pride. We believe the best extensions honour this spirit while boldly addressing the needs of modern life—natural light, flexibility, flow, energy efficiency.
It’s a delicate dance between preservation and progression.
Planning Permission: Reading Between the Lines
Many Georgian homes fall under conservation area policies or are listed, which means planning is about more than box-ticking. It’s about narrative. It’s about why your proposed extension matters—and how it makes the building better.
Permitted Development may apply for minor changes. But more often than not, a bespoke design will need full planning consent, especially if the building is listed or sits in a historic neighbourhood.
That’s where we come in.
We start by crafting a compelling story—one that weaves your vision with heritage guidance and environmental ambition. Whether it's a pre-application submission or full planning proposal, we lead the conversation with clarity, care, and strategy.
→ Pre-app advice is a powerful tool. Use it early. It shows you’re collaborative, not combative—and that you’re serious about quality.
→ Listed building consent isn’t just a box to check. It’s a chance to deepen your design thinking. And when done right, it sets your project apart.
Design That Belongs
We approach every extension as if it were a conversation between two generations. The original home speaks of order and materiality. Our interventions answer with lightness, breath, and function.
Every Georgian extension we design is different. But the intent is always the same: to elevate the way people live—without compromising the past.
☉ Rear extensions that transform kitchens into light-filled spaces for connection, nourishment, and everyday gathering.
☉ Side infills that make forgotten alleys feel generous again
☉ Discreet lofts that offer sanctuary, not spectacle
☉ Wraparounds that solve flow and light in one move
The materials matter. The rhythm of the façade matters. And so does restraint. Too many Georgian extensions try to replicate the original. We prefer to complement it—by using honest materials and contemporary detailing that highlights, not hides, the historic home.
Sometimes contrast is clarity.
Sustainability is Non-Negotiable
A Georgian home was built in a different climate and era. Today, our world is warmer, and our energy demands are sharper. Extending a home gives us the opportunity to reset its environmental footprint.
→ High-performance glazing, MVHR systems, insulation upgrades, airtight detailing—these aren’t extras. They are essentials.
→ At RISE, we align every design with low-energy principles, often inspired by Passivhaus. Because comfort shouldn't cost the planet.
We’re also mindful of embodied carbon. That means reusing original features where possible, specifying local and circular materials, and designing for longevity—not fashion.
Building with Care and Craft
Once your plans are approved, the next phase begins: turning ideas into reality. Georgian extensions demand more than just good builders. They require collaboration.
Structural engineers who understand period construction. Contractors skilled in lime plaster, joinery, and traditional brick bonding. And project teams that uphold quality at every stage.
We keep quality control tight—weekly site visits, clear communication, and snagging with a fine-tooth comb. Why? Because it’s not just about meeting building regs. It’s about doing justice to the building.
And to your investment.
Budgeting for the Long-Term
Quality takes time—and it takes money.
Depending on scale and specification, extending a Georgian home typically starts at £3,500–£4,500 per sqm, excluding VAT. Listed properties can cost 20–40% more due to specialist requirements. But the return is measured not just in square metres—but in joy, comfort, and legacy.
Want a number? A 22sqm rear extension might cost £77,000–£99,000, excluding VAT. Add a kitchen, joinery, or ground floor retrofit, and you’ll need to plan for more. But cost without context is just a number.
We help you define value on your own terms.
Blending Old and New With Confidence
There’s an art to contrast.
Too many extensions shy away from the old, or overwhelm it. We believe the best ones do neither. They celebrate the difference. A crisp line of glazing. A timber screen echoing Georgian rhythm. A new volume that sets the original home free.
The result? A home that’s more functional. More beautiful. And more you.
Building for the Future
At RISE, we don’t just design spaces. We shape futures. Extending a Georgian home is a rare privilege—and a deep responsibility.
Because when done right, it’s more than extra space. It’s a quiet revolution. A way of living that bridges heritage and hope. That lowers energy use while lifting quality of life. That brings light, openness, and purpose to old bones.
→ Thinking about extending your Georgian home?
Let’s make something timeless—together.
→ Email us at architects@risedesignstudio.co.uk
→ Or call the studio on 020 3947 5886
RISE Design Studio Architects, Interior Designers + Sustainability Experts
Company reg no: 08129708
VAT no: GB158316403
© RISE Design Studio. Trading since 2011.
