Two storey extension & renovation

Olney, Buckinghamshire

Two storey extension & renovation

Olney, Buckinghamshire

Top-down view of a modern house floor plan with outdoor paved areas, a swimming pool, garden, and interior rooms including kitchen, dining area, living room, and bedrooms.

A sensitive restoration and reimagining of derelict cottages, transformed into a stunning five bedroom home with sensitive additions rooted in the surrounding architecture.

Interior view of a living room with a staircase on the right, a large window at the far end, and sitting furniture including two chairs and some plants outside visible through the window.
Interior view of a modern living space with an open kitchen, bar stools, sofa, and a wooden shelving unit, featuring stone and neutral-colored walls and tiled flooring.
Interior of a modern home with a dining area, a kitchen island, and large windows showing trees outside. Light-colored tile flooring, stone accents, and minimalist design elements.

The Project

A large modern two-story house with white walls, stone accents, multiple gabled roofs, and a front yard with bushes and trees.

Through a collaborative design process, PaperDog Architecture worked closely with the client to transform two run down farm workers’ cottages into a luxurious and cosy five-bedroom home. The design seamlessly knits the historic fabric of the cottages into a contemporary new extension.

The entire interior was reconfigured to create a modern, welcoming family home, with a large open plan kitchen at its heart, a space the clients envisioned as a place for cooking, gathering and entertaining family and friends. Natural materials were used throughout to create a warm and timeless feel, while carefully positioned roof lights bring generous amounts of daylight into the main living spaces.

The interior design was undertaken by PaperDog Architecture, working closely with the clients to translate their love of the atmosphere and drama of high end hotels into interiors that feel relaxed, comfortable and truly liveable. The result is a light filled, contemporary home that feels both special and deeply rooted in its rural surroundings.

The original house

This project began with a home featuring charming individual spaces, though they lacked a cohesive flow and warmth. The existing conservatory, while a lovely addition, presented some practical challenges—it could feel overly warm in summer, too cool in winter, and had noticeable glare during bright sunlight. The spaces didn’t quite meet the clients' needs for a welcoming, sociable family environment.

Planning Permission

Given the site’s sensitive location, adjacent to a Scheduled Monument, listed buildings, and within a rural area with strict planning protections, securing approval was a key challenge.

PaperDog Architecture worked closely with the clients, as well as planners and heritage consultants, to carefully develop a design that met both planning requirements and the clients’ needs.

The proposed extension adds over 180 m² of new living space and fully reconfigures the existing cottages. It was carefully designed to respect the historic character and countryside setting. This approach ensured the project could be successfully realised within a highly protected context.

Onsite Progress

Under construction house with scaffolding and building materials scattered on the ground.
Indoor construction site with scaffolding, brick walls, and a partially installed roof with skylights.
Interior view of a building under construction, with brick walls, a partially finished attic, and scaffolding inside.
Interior view of a building under construction, showing exposed brick walls stained with red markings, a window, scaffolding outside, wooden framing, and construction materials and debris on the floor.

Seeing the large open plan spaces alongside the smaller, cozy cottage rooms is striking, it creates a seamless blend of old and new.

PaperDog Architecture is supporting the self build client on site, and it’s fantastic to see the once derelict house coming to life. Watching the design take shape highlights the value of careful planning, close collaboration, and months of design and preparation to ensure the home perfectly meets the clients’ vision.

The Design

The initial brief was intentionally broad, so it took several months to hone the perfect design. PaperDog Architecture worked closely with the clients throughout, refining the scheme multiple times to ensure every detail was right.

To aid the clients in visualising their home at every stage, sketches, 3D models, and physical material samples were produced. This collaboration of the interiors covered the kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, finishes and lighting ensuring the interiors came together seamlessly.

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