We are delighted to announce that Mailen Design has received planning permission for a sensitive extension to a charming 19th-century cottage at Dene Lane in Farnham, Surrey. This project reflects a thoughtful approach to enhancing both the home’s layout and its connection to the surrounding landscape and highlights our expertise in efficiently navigating the planning process to ensure our clients’ ambitions are realised.
Dene Lane is a picturesque rural cottage with a layered history, having evolved over the centuries with various ad hoc additions that resulted in a disjointed and spatially inefficient layout. Set on the edge of a greenbelt, the original front portion of the house dates back to the 1800s, whilst subsequent extensions and alterations have transformed it into an eclectic mix of styles and forms. Though not a listed building, the property’s historic charm and scenic surroundings demanded a considered architectural response—one that respects its past whilst bringing it into the future.
Our brief was originally to extend the property, but as is often the case, we looked beyond just adding space. Taking a holistic view of the home and the family within it, we recommended that the project address the property’s spatial inefficiencies, creating a harmonious relationship between the interior spaces and the beautifully landscaped garden.
A BALANCED EXTENSION TO REINFORCE THE HOME'S CHARACTER
One of the key drivers of the design was to balance the profile of the cottage. Over time, the house had developed an asymmetrical form due to an existing extension on one side. The new timber-clad addition on the opposite side resolves this, bringing visual balance to the overall structure. Carefully designed to respect the rural setting, the extension blends contemporary lines with materials that harmonise with the original house.
While addressing the aesthetic imbalance, the new extension also offers improved functionality by opening up internal spaces and creating better circulation. The extensive glazing enhances the connection between indoors and outdoors, ensuring the extension frames the garden’s views and creates a new spatial experience for the residents.
REIMAGINING THE INTERNAL LAYOUT
In addition to the extension, we reconfigured the existing internal spaces to improve the flow between rooms. Previously, the home had a series of disconnected spaces that didn’t make the most of the available footprint. By reworking the internal layout, we created a more open-plan feel, establishing a central hub for circulation, allowing the family to move easily between rooms, and fostering a better connection to the newly extended areas.
STRENGTHENING THE CONNECTION TO THE GARDEN
The owners have put significant effort into transforming what was once overgrown scrubland into beautifully landscaped grounds. Retaining walls were constructed to manage the steeply sloping site, creating a more usable outdoor space. The new extension is designed to capitalise on this landscaping work, linking the house more seamlessly to the garden.
Large areas of glazing allow for expansive views of the east-facing site, maximising natural light and creating an intimate relationship between the home and its surroundings. The design captures the sunrise in the morning and provides glimpses of the setting sun through high-level windows on the opposite side, ensuring the home is bathed in natural light throughout the day. This thoughtful integration of the home with the landscape creates a more immersive living experience, allowing the residents to fully appreciate their outdoor space and idyllic country setting.
The timber structure further complements the garden's natural textures, blending with the surrounding greenery and ensuring the extension feels as though it has always belonged to the site.
A MODEL FOR CONTEMPORARY RURAL LIVING
Our work at Dene Lane reflects Mailen Design’s approach to rural residential architecture—one that prioritises context, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the existing fabric of a home. The new extension not only improves the spatial flow and functionality of the house but also strengthens its relationship with the surrounding landscape, allowing the home to fully embrace its setting.
Dene Lane is a testament to the value of thoughtful design in balancing the needs of modern living with the character of a historic home. This project exemplifies how careful planning and sensitive interventions can transform a property into a home that feels both timeless and deeply connected to its environment.
If you’re looking to explore ideas for your own residential project, contact us today and we’d be happy to discuss how we can help bring your vision to life.