Set within the historic gardens of Maenan Hall, a Grade I listed property, The Old Tea House began life as a garage with modest accommodation above. The clients wanted to transform this underused building into a three-bedroom family home with level access accommodation, while preserving its character and meeting strict heritage constraints. The challenge lay in creating symmetry and scale appropriate to its setting, where planning for extensions of this nature is rarely granted.
 
Smith and Brooke responded by designing a stone-built extension that mirrors the original gable, reinstating architectural harmony with the Hall. Internally, the layout was reconfigured: bedrooms and bathrooms were stacked efficiently over half the footprint, freeing space for a generous kitchen-dining area and sitting room. Gothic windows and retained circular openings flood the interiors with light, while original trusses and stonework maintain authenticity. This sensitive intervention not only unlocked the building’s potential but set a benchmark for heritage-led design, creating a home that feels both contemporary and rooted in its historic landscape.