Hanley Hall, Worcestershire

Grade II Listed Hanley Hall was built in the 1530s, a significant historic house boasting a number of unsympathetic additions to the rear. RCA became involved following a failed application and subsequent appeal for an extension by the owners; we assisted in shaping a revised approach to a ground floor extension, working with the council’s Conservation Officers. As a result, the final scheme comprised the removal of an unsympathetic Victorian catslide roofed extension, replacing it with a much larger ‘glass box’ extension, housing a fantastic open plan kitchen and dining area. The historic rear walls of the original house, along with the structural timbers have now been exposed for the first time in over 100 years and can be viewed from outside as well as within the extension itself. The project is considered to be a success by all parties. The glass box is regarded as a contemporary addition that complements the very organic historic house and the strong juxtaposition is striking.