Open-Plan Kitchen Extension in Cambridge

The Brief

This 1950s detached house had plenty of space, but its layout no longer suited modern family life. The separate kitchen, dining room and living room created a series of disconnected spaces that limited natural light and made everyday living feel compartmentalised. While the property was structurally sound, the insulation and heating system were dated, resulting in higher energy costs and reduced comfort throughout the year.

The homeowners approached Simon with a clear vision: create a bright, open-plan ground floor that would become the heart of the home, improve the connection to the garden, and upgrade the property's energy efficiency for the future.

The Challenge

Due to its original structure and subsequent renovations, opening up the ground floor required significant structural alterations. Several load-bearing walls needed to be removed, with structural steelwork carefully designed and installed to create the large, uninterrupted living space the clients wanted. Every stage was coordinated closely between Simon's team, the structural engineer and Building Control to ensure the work was completed safely and efficiently.

Alongside the structural work, the project included a complete upgrade of the home's thermal performance. External wall insulation was installed, the ageing gas heating system was replaced with an air source heat pump, and underfloor heating was fitted throughout the ground floor. Delivering all of these elements as one integrated renovation allowed the programme to run smoothly while avoiding the disruption of multiple separate projects.

The Result

The finished home feels dramatically larger, brighter and more connected. The former collection of individual rooms has been transformed into a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, with generous glazing and roof skylights drawing natural light deep into the centre of the house.

A contemporary shaker-style kitchen with a large white quartz island now forms the focal point of the ground floor, creating a sociable space for cooking, entertaining and everyday family life. Herringbone flooring runs seamlessly throughout, while the absence of radiators allows the clean lines of the design to take centre stage. Beneath the floor, the new underfloor heating system provides consistent comfort, and the air source heat pump, along with solar panels and battery storage has significantly reduced the home's energy costs.

The result is a detached family home that not only looks completely transformed but also performs to a far higher standard—delivering greater comfort, improved efficiency and a layout designed for modern living.

Project Snapshot

• Structural alterations and removal of load-bearing walls
• Bespoke open-plan kitchen, dining and living space
• Contemporary kitchen with quartz island
• Roof skylights
• Herringbone flooring with underfloor heating throughout the ground floor
• External wall insulation
• Air source heat pump installation
• Refurbishment of two bathrooms and a WC
• Complete internal redecoration