Side return extension victorian

Ulla Gala Architect's striking zinc-clad extension to this period property adds a valuable extra living space that spills out onto the garden. Click for more amazing home extension ideas #architecture Image: O Manzi/Ulla Gala Architects

Adding a side return extension to your Victorian terraced house is a great way to add the extra space you might need. Here’s everything you need to know.

The clients at Ruvigny Gardens found themselves in a situation similar to many Londoners living in a Victorian terrace. They had a small side return which they wanted to incorporate into their living space; a relatively small intervention which would transform their home. The extension is sliced by a band of glass which separates the original house and the new bespoke kitchen. The brief was to create comfortable, warm spaces...

So apparently I am a grown up. I'm not sure when it happened. But all of a sudden I am married (last weekend - teeny tiny civil service with our parents - heavenly) I am pregnant (still convinced the bump is just doughnuts) and have embarked on that very big and exciting and terrifying building

A side return extension can add value and a point of difference to a semi-detached or terraced period property – but such a big investment requires careful thought and attention to detail. With that in mind, we spoke to the architects and designers behind some inspiring projects to find out how they made them happen.

Wimbledon SW19 Semi-detached Wraparound Flat Wood Crittall style Skylights Grass Patio slabs Shaker Yellow stock Boxed in steel beams

Chris Snook

This is almost exactly the sort of thing I'm thinking of for my little Victorian terrace in East London. I would like to extend the ground floor addition and add a glazed roof side extension over the side return (including the extended bit of the side return).

A side return extension could transform that ugly, dark alley at the back of a terrace into a valuable living space perfect for your lifestyle — find out how