Camden Park House
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Property type: Chalet-Bungalow
Scope: Full refurbishment, two storey side extension, single storey rear extension and landscaping
Size / area: Approx. 250m² refurbishment and extension
Budget band: Confidential
Stage: Under Construction
A deep retrofit and extension that turns a 1960s bungalow into a modern, sustainable family home.
The clients bought a 1960s chalet bungalow in Camden Park and wanted to turn it into a long-term family home. The plot was tight, and previous additions—like a conservatory and utility rooms—had fragmented the garden and made the site feel dark and less generous. Their brief was to create a more functional and sustainable forever home.
We took the project from concept and feasibility through to detailed design and construction. Our role included rethinking how the house sat on the plot, removing underused and poorly performing elements, designing two new extensions and bringing in sustainable design features. We managed the contract and stayed closely involved to ensure the workmanship aligned with the design intent.
House prior to work
Existing Plan
Proposed Plan
We shifted the additional accommodation into the existing driveway area, freeing up more of the garden. The conservatory and utility extensions were demolished, which opened up the garden and reduced overshadowing. The new extensions were more efficiently located to ensure the garden was reinstated to its former generous size.
Two beautiful brick dormers give the building character and increases the feeling of height. A large rooflight brings generous natural light into the main living space, ensuring the interior feels bright throughout the day.
We also worked on making the building more sustainable and efficient, responding to the clients’ long-term vision for a forever home. This includes adding significant amounts of insulation to retain heat, a MVHR heat recovery system to allow the building to provide fresh air without loosing excess heat and an air source heat pump to provide low carbon heating and hot water.
The house is now much more spacious and better laid out, with a clear sequence of living spaces. The garden feels more open and usable, as the previous cluttered extensions have been removed. Natural light floods the interior through the rooflights, making the home feel warmer and brighter.
By carefully redesigning and retrofitting, the home now feels future-proof — more efficient, more comfortable, and more in tune with the family’s needs.
