Want your extension and garden to work in harmony? Here's what the experts advise
29 April 2025 by Claire Lupton
We’re thrilled to be featured in Homebuilding & Renovating magazine!
Their recent article on how to seamlessly connect an extension with a garden highlights our Wellfield Avenue project. As part of the feature, our Director and Co-founder, Simon Drayson, shared his insights on designing for sloping sites.
Building an extension on a sloping site is not uncommon and, in many cases, the extension will sit lower or higher than the garden. In order to unite the two, therefore, this level change needs to be addressed. This might mean undertaking some excavation work.
George & James Architects designed the extension below carefully to enhance the connection between the inside and outside spaces, as Simon Drayson explains.
A new terrace was carefully carved into the landscape, aligning it with the interior floor level," he says.
"The garden terrace is carefully designed with dedicated outdoor kitchen, BBQ and preparation area, strategically positioned adjacent to the indoor kitchen so it can easily be used as an extension to this space in the warmer months.
About Simon:
When architect Simon Drayson founded George & James Architects with Darren Leach they embodied the perfect combination of skills and interests, with Simon bringing more emotional intelligence and Darren more logic and analytical thinking. Simon has worked on his fair share of high-profile urban projects over the years, but upping sticks and going it alone definitely ranks as one of the best decisions of his life.