This much-loved family home in a leafy South London suburb had served its owners well for more than 25 years. But as the family grew and daily routines evolved, it became clear that the existing ground-floor layout no longer supported the way they lived. The original uPVC conservatory, added two decades earlier and once the hub of family life, had become increasingly impractical. Overheating in summer, with condensation and roof leaks in winter the dated design meant the space was no longer fit for purpose.
Seeking fresh ideas, the homeowners turned to Coleman Anderson Architects. Early conversations revealed a clear ambition: to create a bright, modern entertaining space that could adapt to the needs of a large and growing family. Rather than a simple replacement of the conservatory, a more transformative renovation was envisioned, one that would future-proof the home for the next 25 years, offering flexibility, year-round comfort, and a stronger connection to the garden.
The large south-facing garden presented a real opportunity for a light-filled extension. From the very first concept drawings, the architects focused on opening the entire rear elevation to blur the boundary between inside and out. By extending the new structure visually into the garden, they created a seamless flow between the open-plan living areas and the landscaped outdoor space – perfect for family gatherings, relaxed weekends, and social events.
The generous depth of the extension and the redesigned internal layout allowed for the creation of a dramatic open corner with minimal visible structure. The architectural intention from the outset was to keep profiles as slim as possible, enabling the roof and façade to read as one continuous folded plane of metal. This crisp, contemporary form would only work with glazing capable of delivering equally clean lines.
To enhance the indoor–outdoor connection, the architects specified IDSystems’ theEDGE2.0 sliding doors. The system provided everything the project required: ultra-slim frames, the ability to form a fully open corner, and the option to slide one side of the corner into a concealed wall pocket. When opened, the glazing on the shorter return disappears entirely from view, leaving a completely unobstructed transition between the interior and the garden. When closed, the narrow sightlines and expansive panes of glass frame almost uninterrupted views outward.
The configuration, four panels on the longer elevation, with three sliding behind a single fixed frame, was chosen to maximise the connection between home and garden. This layout allows for a vast three-quarter opening when the doors are slid back, enhancing the sense of space while complementing the post-free corner design. Even with the doors closed, the connection to the outside remains, thanks to theEDGE2.0’s minimal design.
The completed project delivers an expansive, flexible open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area flooded with natural light. The floating effect of the flat-roof extension above the open corner creates the project’s striking architectural feature, while the hidden-pocket sliding door transforms daily living, making the garden feel like a true extension of the home.
The result is a future-ready family space: warm, bright, contemporary, and perfectly suited to the demands of modern life.
Location: Sidcup, Kent
Architect: Coleman Anderson Architects
Main contractor: Barrow Contracting
Kitchen designer: Stoneham Kitchens
Photos: Mikey Reed Photography
