South Croydon Rear Extension & Full Internal Renovation

This South Croydon house extension is a complete reinvention of a 1970’s detached home into a modern family sanctuary, blending functional living with striking architectural elements. The focus was to create harmony between the house and its surroundings while tailoring the design to the family’s unique needs.

The 1990s rear extension and garage were removed to make way for a spacious, open-plan kitchen and dining area, carefully lowered by half a metre for a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Moving through the house, a new off-centered hallway acts as the main artery, cleanly dividing private and public spaces.

The first-floor extension provides a reimagined layout, adding a bedroom and bathroom while untangling the previously chaotic arrangement. Large windows in the rear bedrooms frame views of the garden and South Croydon beyond. For one child’s bedroom, a mezzanine level within the vaulted ceiling adds an element of playfulness and functionality.

The material palette emphasizes connection to the neighborhood while modernizing the aesthetic. Longform Roman bricks define the rear extension, adding texture and warmth, while the front elevation benefits from balanced fenestration and subtle rendered finishes. The roofline of the new single-storey front extension mirrors the existing structure, lending a cohesive and polished street presence.

One of the most dramatic features of this South Croydon house is the full-width roof light above the living space, bathing the interior in natural light and framing treetop views. Walking through this space, you feel the design’s intent to draw the outdoors in. The result is a home that feels both dynamic and grounded, balancing thoughtful design details with a strong connection to its environment—a space that’s as practical as it is beautiful.