Dale Brow
LOCATION Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK.
BRIEF 2 storey new-build, Listed Building Consent, garden terrace, additional bedrooms.
STATUS Planning 2025.
Dale Brow is the thoughtful redevelopment of a detached Grade II Listed cottage in rural Essex, situated on the outskirts of a historic agricultural village. Set within a substantial plot surrounded by mature trees and lush planting, the cottage traces its origins back to the late 18th century.
Over its long history, the building underwent numerous alterations before being consolidated into a single dwelling and officially designated as a listed structure in 1987.
The client engaged LSD Architects to explore the feasibility of expanding and upgrading the cottage while preserving its historic significance.
The project aimed to restore and enhance the original cottage features using period-appropriate materials, creating a cohesive family home that better utilised the underperforming rear garden.
Following extensive consultations with local authorities and heritage specialists, the design for a parallel range extension was finalised. This new addition, positioned behind the cottage, mirrors its massing and distinctive gabled silhouette, facing east and west.
The removal of a later outshot bathroom created an ideal opportunity to improve the house's entrance, introducing a more functional and welcoming arrival point that addresses the driveway while meeting modern needs.
The extension incorporates a contemporary annex, carefully integrated into the landscape by digging into the terrain to ensure it sits lower than the historic cottage. The two structures are connected by a low-level glazed link, which celebrates both their similarities and differences.
The annex, a two-storey contemporary building, features a mezzanine master bedroom with an ensuite overlooking a double-height living room. The glazed link serves as the functional "nerve centre," housing HVAC and plumbing systems, allowing the perimeter of the extensions to remain predominantly glazed.
The northern façade of the annex is clad in timber batten panels, designed to modern thermal standards, with sliding glazed doors that open onto a grand outdoor terrace.
This terrace gently ascends to the main garden level, bordered by richly planted, biodiverse species and herbaceous borders.
The addition of a bay window and roof dormer provides ideal spots for enjoying views of the garden environment, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor spaces.
The redevelopment of Dale Brow balances respect for its historic heritage with contemporary design, creating a harmonious and functional family home that honours its past while embracing its future.
