For many years this soon to be renovated chalet was just a concrete block shell being used for storage. Last year the property was acquired by a new owner who wanted to transform the space into a family home. BDS Architecture Ltd had the pleasure of designing a suitable layout for the existing building to make it into a fabulous four bedroom family living space. The above photo shows the property half way through it's renovation.

On the lookout for your dream countryside home? A barn conversion might be perfect for you. Barn conversions are an easy way around the planning restrictions that can make building your own home from scratch challenging. Plus they come with the added bonuses of having historical charm and plenty of character. Embarking on a renovation project can be hugely rewarding (wouldn't it be nice to wake up to idyllic views every morning?), but there are a number of important aspects to keep in mind beforehand. Here's what you need to know.

The foundation of an extension is equally as important as that of the main house. It needs to be built to last and support the new additional structure. Here are four types of foundations suitable for anchoring an extension.

We have said it before and we will say it again, foundations are the most critical part of any building. Unfortunately, they can be the most expensive too. It's not just the cost of laying foundations that make this part of the building process so expensive. It's also the fact that there can be many unforeseen problems that crop up. Dealing with complicated foundations can become expensive.

You're probably familiar with the prospect of architectural drawings, but many people fall into the trap of presuming that they're only applicable or useful for large builds. The reality, however, is much different. A set of professionally developed and rendered drawings is an essential part of the building process - that applies regardless of the scale of the construction.

 House Design Visualisation

BDS Architecture Ltd have designed this four bedroom house to replace to an ageing bungalow.  The new house design incorporates a large floor to ceiling window to take in the surrounding view from the interior.

Foundations are the most critical part of a building, and sometimes the most expensive. Most people will advise on 600mm as the standard depth of foundation. Unfortunately, several factors affect the depth of the foundation. Hence, such a one-fits-all solution might be disastrous.

BDS Architecture Ltd are in the midst of extending this gorgeous brick built cottage set in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. The extension is being completed to the rear of the property, maximising on large windows to take in the breath taking view from the interior.

Whether you’re renovating to sell, looking to add value or making space your growing family, there are lots of options to make space work in your Victorian terraced house.

Do you already have your dream home but it’s beginning to seem a little small for your lifestyle? Or perhaps your family is growing and you need more space. Whatever the reason, you may be thinking about extending your house but have no idea where to start.