Croft Road

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Contemporary Rear Extensions
Croft Road | Side infill extension

Award-winning architects HollandGreenwere commissioned to transform a redundant side alley into a luxurious, light-filled kitchen extension. The brief centred on creating a contemporary glass side infill extension that would maximise natural daylight, improve the flow between the home and garden, and significantly increase the property's usable living space.

By incorporating a large structural glass roof and slim framed sliding glass doors, the design creates a bright and elegant kitchen environment with uninterrupted views of the garden and seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Products Used

Project Partners

Architects: Holland Green

Image credits: Holland Green

Location

Oxfordshire

slim patio doors to the rear of a brick house extension

sliding glass doors to the rear of a house extension of brick

A key objective of this glass side return extension was to flood the interior with natural light throughout the day. To achieve this, the extension features an impressive frameless-effect structural glass roof measuring over 7 metres in length and 2.48 metres in width.

This expansive glazed roof delivers consistent daylight deep into the property, illuminating areas that would otherwise receive limited natural light. The result is a brighter, more inviting living space that feels larger and more connected to its surroundings.

Slim Framed Sliding Doors for Seamless Garden Access

Opening up the rear elevation, a set of three-track slim framed sliding glass doors provides panoramic garden views and effortless access to the outdoor living space.

Featuring ultra-slim 21mm sightlines and a fully recessed flush threshold, the sliding doors create an almost invisible barrier between inside and out. When opened, the doors allow the kitchen and garden to merge into one continuous living environment, perfect for entertaining and family gatherings.

To further enhance this seamless connection, the garden lawn was raised to meet the patio level, while matching floor finishes inside and outside create visual continuity throughout the space.

Intelligent Structural Glazing Design

The positioning and orientation of the structural glass roof were carefully considered to optimise daylight while managing solar gain and glare. This intelligent glazing design ensures the kitchen remains bright and comfortable throughout the year without compromising energy efficiency or occupant comfort.

The combination of high-performance glazing, expansive roof glazing and slim framed sliding doors demonstrates how modern structural glass design can transform traditional period homes.

a glass side roof above a kitchen extension

a glass side return roof kitchen extension

a glass kitchen extension with sliding glass doors and a glass strip roof

A Luxury Kitchen Extension Designed for Modern Living

The completed project delivers a stunning contemporary kitchen extension finished to the highest standard. The oversized glass roof, minimalist sliding door frames and flush threshold detailing contribute to a sophisticated architectural aesthetic while enhancing everyday living.

By replacing an underused side return with a bright, open-plan kitchen space, the homeowners have gained a versatile area for cooking, dining, entertaining and relaxing. The abundance of natural light and uninterrupted connection to the garden create a sense of openness and wellbeing throughout the home.

Technical Details:

Structural glass roof spanning over 7m x 2.48m
Frameless internal glass roof design
Three-track slim framed sliding glass doors
Ultra-slim 21mm sightlines
Flush threshold detail for seamless indoor-outdoor living
Large-format glazing maximising natural daylight
High-performance insulated glazing units
Optimised solar control and thermal efficiency
Minimalist architectural detailing throughout

Why Choose a Glass Side Return Extension?

Glass side infill extensions are one of the most effective ways to transform period townhouses and properties with limited opportunities for expansion. By utilising previously unused side access areas, homeowners can create valuable additional living space without significantly altering the existing footprint of the property.

Benefits include: