A house with two contrasting architectural styles: a modern, dark-colored structure with large windows and a steep roof, and an older, white cottage with a thatched roof and brick chimney. There is a black car parked in front of the house on a gravel driveway, with a cloudy sky overhead.
Architectural cross-section drawing of a house with a steep pitched roof, showing interior layout, framing, and foundation details.

Thatched Cottage Extension, Norwich

For this unique project, we were asked to design an addition to a thatched cottage in a sensitive location, which overlooks the Norfolk Broads.

We approached this by echoing the visual language of the thatched roof, with it’s wedge-shaped forms to inform the design of a new zinc roof.  The new addition makes further references to the local context through the choice of of locally-sourced timber cladding which has been detailed in a similar way to many boat buildings in the area.  

In terms of construction, the client has a clear goal to reduce the embodied carbon as much as possible by eliminating all steel and concrete, though the ambitious use of innovative materials and processes.We have been working with them to help select the right products with the correct certifications.

The result will be a modern yet ‘respectful’ addition, which will breathe new life into a beautiful old building by providing much needed additional accommodation and bathroom for a growing family.

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3D cube with the letters 3D in black on a white face and an orange face with a white logo of a message bubble and a pencil.
Interior view of an attic under construction showing wooden framing, roof trusses, and a scaffolding platform in the center, with windows on both sides allowing natural light.