From cold and inefficient to warm, light-filled, and future-proofed. This deep retrofit of a mid-century bungalow demonstrates how thoughtful architectural interventions and sustainable technologies can transform older homes to meet the demands of modern living.
The client's brief
Niki and Rew approached Mesh to reimagine their recently purchased bungalow as a modern, spacious family home with a strong connection to both the front and rear gardens. Their vision centred on creating a bright, open living environment while thoughtfully extending the property to provide the extra space their family required.
They wanted a home bathed in natural light and crafted with natural materials wherever possible. Sustainability was a key focus from the outset, with Niki and Rew committed to significantly reducing their reliance on fossil fuels for heating and hot water, alongside adopting rainwater harvesting systems to minimise water consumption.
fiBeyond technological upgrades, Niki and Rew were also looking for significant architectural improvements. The original bungalow was dated, with a worn exterior, a series of poorly executed extensions and several cold, dark interior spaces in need of revitalisation. While we recognised the scale of the challenge, it was one we were excited to take on.
Our Initial Considerations:
From our first site visit, we recognised the scale of the challenge ahead. The original bungalow had already been altered, with a poorly constructed side extension and an inadequate loft conversion. Built using traditional methods and offering little insulation, the property performed poorly in terms of energy efficiency and thermal comfort. We knew a complete rethink was needed. One that balanced practical upgrades with a sensitive approach, improving the building’s performance without compromising valuable internal floor space.
As part of the early design process, we submitted a Pre-Application Enquiry to Leeds City Council to understand the planning position. While the feedback was constructive, the planning department made it clear that the property’s street-facing appearance should continue to read as a bungalow. This introduced a further design constraint: the existing eaves height would need to be largely retained, posing a challenge in delivering the first-floor accommodation Niki and Rew were hoping for.
Our Proposals
Working within the site’s constraints, it became clear that the original bungalow’s narrow footprint limited our ability to deliver the living accommodation Niki and Rew were hoping for. Our response was to introduce modest extensions to both the front and rear of the property, a simple yet effective move that unlocked the project’s full potential.
These additions not only allowed us to create the open, functional ground floor layout the clients needed, but combined with a slight increase to the roof pitch and the introduction of a dormer window, made it possible to introduce a full first floor of habitable space. Crucially, this was achieved without compromising the property’s appearance as a bungalow from the street.
By wrapping the front and rear elevations of the original bungalow with carefully designed extensions, we were able to significantly enhance both the thermal performance and airtightness of the existing building fabric. This approach also enabled the introduction of generous window and door openings, strengthening the visual and physical connection between the internal spaces and the surrounding gardens. The result is a home that feels bright, open and well-connected with a contemporary character that is both thoughtful and refined.
The design also involved replacing the existing roof with a highly insulated structure, improving overall energy performance and enhancing the comfort and quality of the additional first-floor accommodation. To ensure the entire thermal envelope was effectively upgraded, the remaining external walls were internally lined, boosting their thermal efficiency and airtightness.
With the building envelope fully upgraded, Niki and Rew were able to integrate highperformance sustainable technologies including an Air Source Heat Pump, an MVHR system, solar panels and rainwater harvesting. These systems work seamlessly together through smart engineering to create a home that is both highly efficient and sustainable, a complete transformation of the original bungalow.
Visually, our design carefully responds to the character of the surrounding streetscape, using a thoughtful mix of render, brickwork, and vertical timber cladding. This combination creates a clean, modern look that feels both understated and considered, capturing the contemporary style Niki and Rew wanted for their home.
Our Outcome
The result is a contemporary, highly sustainable yet modest family home, perfectly suited to its unique Roundhay street setting. We’re grateful for the trust Niki and Rew placed in us and proud of what we achieved in collaboration with a skilled design team and a courageous, forward-thinking client. Above all, this project demonstrates that with thoughtful architectural design and a commitment to sustainable building practices, any house can be transformed into a highly efficient and future-ready home.
Before
After
"Mesh were with us from before we’d even found our house. We knew we wanted to work with them because of their approach to design, taking the time to listen to what we were trying to achieve with our eco home and being prepared to learn with us rather than having all the answers. They provided guidance as we were house hunting and their support encouraged us to think much more creatively about what to purchase. Throughout the design process they were a key part of a wider team of talented professionals and it truly felt like a team effort to design and build our home. Their support went way beyond design drawings, stretching us to think about what was possible with a low-environmental footprint build and their problem-solving continued as we started to build. They built exceptionally strong relationships with our designer and main contractor which meant as a client we felt reassured that nothing would slip through the cracks. Our home is a reflection of what we value and Ian, Andy and the Mesh team enabled us to really bring that to life - we’ll always be grateful for their support."
"Mesh were with us from before we’d even found our house. We knew we wanted to work with them because of their approach to design, taking the time to listen to what we were trying to achieve with our eco home and being prepared to learn with us rather than having all the answers. They provided guidance as we were house hunting and their support encouraged us to think much more creatively about what to purchase. Throughout the design process they were a key part of a wider team of talented professionals and it truly felt like a team effort to design and build our home. Their support went way beyond design drawings, stretching us to think about what was possible with a low-environmental footprint build and their problem-solving continued as we started to build. They built exceptionally strong relationships with our designer and main contractor which meant as a client we felt reassured that nothing would slip through the cracks. Our home is a reflection of what we value and Ian, Andy and the Mesh team enabled us to really bring that to life - we’ll always be grateful for their support."
"Mesh were with us from before we’d even found our house. We knew we wanted to work with them because of their approach to design, taking the time to listen to what we were trying to achieve with our eco home and being prepared to learn with us rather than having all the answers. They provided guidance as we were house hunting and their support encouraged us to think much more creatively about what to purchase. Throughout the design process they were a key part of a wider team of talented professionals and it truly felt like a team effort to design and build our home. Their support went way beyond design drawings, stretching us to think about what was possible with a low-environmental footprint build and their problem-solving continued as we started to build. They built exceptionally strong relationships with our designer and main contractor which meant as a client we felt reassured that nothing would slip through the cracks. Our home is a reflection of what we value and Ian, Andy and the Mesh team enabled us to really bring that to life - we’ll always be grateful for their support."
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