A Modern Home with a 1930s Soul
No1 Windover Crescent, Front Elevation
Transforming No.1 Windover Crescent in Lewes
Lewes, East Sussex
Planning Permission Granted
Architecture · Conservation · Masterplanning · Landscaping · Interior Architecture
Completion: Summer 2025
We’re thrilled to share the story behind one of our latest projects: the full architectural and interior reimagining of No.1 Windover Crescent, a distinctive 1930s bungalow on the fringes of historic Lewes. This home sits within one of the South Downs’ most treasured landscapes, and our mission was to create a design that feels both confidently contemporary and deeply respectful of its setting.
Honouring Character While Designing for the Future
Rather than starting from scratch, we made an early and deliberate decision to retain as much of the existing structure as possible. Keeping the original ground-floor walls allowed us to protect the building’s embodied carbon—a sustainable choice that also keeps the project rooted in the charm of its 1930s architecture.
The updated design doesn’t erase the home’s history; instead, it highlights the original fabric while introducing new architectural elements that enhance light, space, and modern living.
Designing with Constraints—and Community—in Mind
Despite the generous plot, the site presented its own set of challenges:
Neighbouring sight lines
Ridge height limits
Privacy considerations
Throughout the planning process, collaboration was key. We worked closely with neighbours and with the South Downs National Park Authority, refining the proposal to ensure that it stayed sensitive to context and supported by the community. Small adjustments made along the way helped shape a design that feels grounded, appropriate and universally well received.
A Confident, Light-Filled Upper Floor
To unlock more living space and achieve comfortable head heights, we introduced a new first floor that gently extends beyond the original footprint. This contemporary upper level echoes the surrounding roofscape and is defined by a dramatic floor-to-ceiling west-facing window that fills the central circulation spaces with natural light.
To the rear, a discreet balcony off the master bedroom offers quiet moments overlooking Mount Caburn—a truly special Lewes view.
Expanding Space with a Sunlit Southern Wing
One of the most transformative moves was the addition of a southern extension with increased ceiling heights that amplify light and space. A compact glazed link forms the new entrance, acting as a bright internal threshold between old and new.
The reconfigured ground floor now includes:
Entrance hall
Utility room
Kitchen
Covered outdoor dining space
To the rear, an elegant overhanging roof creates a sheltered seating area that connects seamlessly to the kitchen—perfect for relaxed summer evenings.
A Landscape-Led Approach
Although the internal area will grow by over 200%, the extension occupies just 6% of the total plot. This ensures the site remains green, generous and beautifully connected to its surrounding landscape. The garden wasn’t an afterthought—it helped shape the entire architectural strategy.
Letting Light Shape the Home
Natural light became one of the project’s biggest design drivers. We carefully positioned large windows and roof lights to bring daylight into every corner of the home, while still respecting neighbouring privacy.
Highlights include:
Vaulted roof lights over the staircase and first-floor bathroom
A striking double-height window lighting the stairwell
A wide, landscape-format bedroom window with rooftop views
Subtle glazing solutions where privacy or planning constraints limited openings
The result is a home that feels bright, inviting, and full of character—morning through to evening.
Refining and Perfecting Through Planning
As the scheme progressed through planning, we made thoughtful refinements to roof heights and window proportions in response to neighbour and planner feedback. Importantly, the overall architectural vision remained intact.
The approved design is both contextually grounded and architecturally confident—offering a lively roofline externally and generous, light-filled spaces internally. Together with our client, we’ve created a home that preserves the spirit of the 1930s building while reimagining it for modern life.
Scope of Works
Architecture
Conservation
Masterplanning
Landscaping
Architectural Interventions
Interior Architecture
