23/09/2026
Historic buildings can evolve. With the right approach, they can be preserved, enhanced and adapted for the way people live today.
Baxter Design was appointed to develop a sensitive proposal for a historic coastal property, balancing the need to protect its character with the client’s ambition to improve the home for modern living. The design approach focused on preserving the original building as the key focal point, while introducing a carefully considered single-storey extension. The extension retains a distinctly modernist style, with generous glazing facing the sea and a calm, neutral material palette chosen to complement rather than compete with the historic structure.
A glazed link was introduced across the arched gateway to connect the existing building with the new extension. This light-touch intervention helps integrate both elements of the proposal while retaining a clear distinction between old and new. It also improves how the property functions day to day, creating controlled access between spaces, framing carefully considered views and giving the homeowners a
greater sense of privacy within the wider site.
A key priority was to improve the overall layout and flow of the property, creating stronger connections between indoor and outdoor spaces and making better use of the dramatic coastal setting. The proposal was designed to feel contemporary and purposeful, while remaining respectful of the building’s age, scale and heritage value.
The planning process required detailed engagement with the relevant planning and conservation bodies. Through a collaborative approach, Baxter Design helped guide the proposal through a sensitive approval process, with careful consideration given to the building’s setting, historic significance and future use. The approved design demonstrates how heritage properties can be adapted with confidence. By
balancing preservation, functionality and contemporary design, Baxter Design helped create a route forward that protects the character of the existing building while allowing it to evolve for modern living.
