Contemporary Rear Extension in Whitley Bay

Located on a quiet residential street just moments from the coast, this project reimagines a family home in Whitley Bay through a carefully designed rear extension. The property had previously been extended, but the layout had become fragmented and no longer supported modern family living.

Our clients wanted to transform the rear of the house into a bright, open-plan kitchen and living space where cooking, dining, and everyday family life could take place together. The aim was to create a sociable environment that connected seamlessly to the garden while respecting the character of the existing home.

Rethinking the Layout Through a Needs and Options Review

Before developing a design, we worked closely with the family through our Needs and Options Review process, exploring several alternative layouts and studying how the existing house could be reconfigured.

This early design stage allowed the clients to understand:

what could be achieved within their budget
which options might require planning permission
how different layouts could transform the flow of the home

Exploring multiple possibilities at the outset often reveals opportunities homeowners may never have considered, ensuring the final design makes the most of the property.

Alongside the layout studies, we developed preliminary budgets and mood boards to capture the client’s style and preferences, helping shape the architectural language of the extension.

A Light-Filled Kitchen Extension with a Glazed Gable

The final design introduces a striking rear extension with a dramatic glazed gable, creating a distinctive architectural feature while flooding the interior with natural light.

The new space forms an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that connects directly to the garden. Large areas of glazing frame outdoor views while allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the home.

Carefully considered proportions and materials ensure the extension feels contemporary while sitting comfortably within the surrounding neighbourhood.

Transforming the Heart of the Home

The completed extension has completely transformed how the house is used. What was once a series of separate rooms is now a bright, open and welcoming family space where everyday life naturally unfolds.

Cooking, dining, relaxing and entertaining can now happen in one cohesive environment that feels connected to both the house and the garden beyond.

The result is a home that is lighter, more sociable and perfectly suited to modern living, all while remaining part of the much-loved coastal community of Whitley Bay.

Set within the leafy surroundings of Darras Hall, Northumberland, this exciting project is a complete internal reimagining of a large family home that had long fallen behind the times. When our clients, a young family returning to the North East, first bought the property, it hadn’t been updated in decades. The layout was awkward, with some rooms far too big, others far too small, and a huge portion of the ground floor taken up by an old pool house that had been covered over and left cold and unused.

As with every Acre Design project, we began with a Needs and Options Review, taking the time to understand the family’s lifestyle, priorities, and budget before developing a series of design options tailored to how they actually live. This early clarity ensured the design investment was focused and efficient, avoiding the risk of wasted space or unnecessary cost.

The proposed transformation will completely revolutionise the home. The former pool area is being converted into a series of warm, functional spaces including an expansive open-plan kitchen, living and dining area designed for modern family life, plus a bar and lounge zone anchored by a striking double-sided fireplace. A newly designed entrance porch with softly lit steps will elevate the property’s curb appeal, creating a more welcoming and elegant façade in keeping with the prestige of Darras Hall.

The reconfiguration continues with a part garage conversion to form a spacious boot room, utility and downstairs cloakroom, ideal for family living. Upstairs, the design introduces a dedicated home office, cinema room and an impressive master suite that blends luxury with comfort. Every element has been carefully considered to make the home feel connected, balanced and full of light.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, and we can’t wait to see this remarkable transformation come to life.

If you’re based in Darras Hall or nearby and are considering transforming your home, start your journey the same way: book an Ask the Expert call with Alistair and discover what’s possible with Acre Design.

Set within Gosforth’s Great Park, this striking new build home is a showcase of contemporary family living and architectural precision. Designed and delivered by Acre Design, this luxury modern home in Newcastle upon Tyne spans three generous floors, combining elegant open-plan spaces with meticulous technical detailing throughout. From the moment you step inside, the sense of scale and light is extraordinary. The entrance hall is framed by a sculptural feature staircase, setting the tone for the rest of the home. Flowing through to a spacious kitchen, dining and living area, the design balances family functionality with a sense of refinement. Every space has been thoughtfully proportioned, from the utility and boot rooms to the private lounge areas and beautifully appointed en suites that give each bedroom its own sense of luxury. Externally, a crisp white rendered façade is punctuated by striking feature glazing that floods the interiors with natural light. Every detail reflects Acre’s blend of creativity and technical excellence, ensuring this new build not only looks stunning but performs beautifully too. Working with a client who was also the contractor meant that every conversation went straight to the heart of what we love most: the detail. From zoning and layout to precise construction methodology, Acre Design’s team of experienced architectural technologists and designers brought their technical expertise to every decision. The home’s timber frame structure allowed for rapid, high-quality construction, sailing smoothly through both planning and Building Control. Within months, the property stood complete, a truly magnificent family home. This project captures everything Acre Design stands for: beautiful architecture grounded in buildability, delivered with care, precision and collaboration. If you’re planning a new build home in Gosforth, or exploring significant extensions and refurbishments across Newcastle, start your journey with an Ask the Expert call with Alistair and discover how Acre Design can bring your vision to life.

A Thoughtful Revival of Victorian Elegance

Positioned on one of Low Fell’s most desirable streets, this property stands as a fine example of late-Victorian architecture: a home defined by its graceful proportions, traditional detailing, and timeless character. Set within a leafy neighbourhood that balances village charm with easy access to Gateshead and Newcastle, this residence offers the perfect canvas for this refined architectural enhancement by Acre Design.

The proposed design seeks to both preserve and elevate the home’s historic identity. Works include the sensitive refurbishment of the existing front dormer and the introduction of a new rear dormer, designed with a deep respect for the property’s original form. Every element – from the scale and symmetry to the choice of materials – has been carefully considered to ensure seamless integration with the existing architecture and the rhythm of the surrounding terrace.

While the interventions are subtle, their impact will be significant. The new dormer transforms the upper floor with an influx of natural light and improved spatial quality, enhancing the everyday experience of the home without compromising its period charm. The result is a design that quietly redefines the balance between heritage and modernity: a celebration of continuity, craftsmanship, and understated architectural refinement.

When our Sunderland clients returned home from mainland Europe, they had one clear vision: to create a forever home rooted in family and the North East coast they loved. They wanted their children to grow up close to grandparents, and to have a space big enough to host Christmases, birthdays, and long Sunday lunches overlooking the sea.

The property they found had potential in abundance but had suffered years of piecemeal extensions and neglect. Inside, it hadn’t been touched for decades. Together with Acre Design, they set out to completely transform it, a full refurbishment with a two-storey side addition, a spacious open-plan kitchen and living area to the rear, generous bedrooms for the children, and a serene master suite in the loft complete with sea views and a luxurious en suite.

The journey began with an Ask the Expert call, followed by a detailed Needs and Options Review that explored multiple layout possibilities. Using true-to-life 3D visuals, the family could see how each design would look and feel before committing. Once the ideal layout was chosen, Acre managed planning and technical approvals with ease thanks to highly detailed, construction-ready drawings that left no room for uncertainty. The plans sailed through both planning and Building Control, giving the family confidence that their investment was on solid ground .

During the build, Acre’s involvement proved invaluable. When an unexpected air raid shelter was uncovered during foundation works, the team’s hands-on technical expertise and coordination with engineers and local authorities ensured the issue was swiftly resolved, minimising cost and delay. The firm’s background in building inspection meant potential buildability issues were anticipated and managed long before they became problems .

Now complete, the home is a celebration of family, light, and coastal living. Spacious, warm, and beautifully detailed, it’s become the perfect base for gatherings big and small, a home built not just for today, but for generations to come.

Thinking about your own home? Book an Ask the Expert call with Alistair to explore what’s possible.

Carlton Terrace is one of Newcastle’s most elegant period streets, and this beautiful townhouse offered our clients the perfect opportunity to return to their North East roots in style. After decades working abroad, they wanted a home that combined heritage charm with modern living, somewhere that felt both sophisticated and deeply personal.

Set within the Newcastle City Centre Conservation Area, the property demanded care, precision, and a deep understanding of planning and heritage design. Acre Design led the full transformation from start to finish, undertaking detailed planning justification and producing comprehensive heritage and design statements to support every aspect of the proposal. Close collaboration with the conservation officer allowed us to secure approval for significant improvements, balancing period authenticity with contemporary function.

Behind the scenes, every inch of the refurbishment was meticulously planned. Acre’s construction drawings went far beyond standard technical documentation, specifying every material, fixture, and fitting in advance. Detailed 3D visualisations both internal and external, helped our clients see exactly how their finished home would look, building complete confidence in every decision.

The result is a stunning transformation that celebrates the home’s historic character while embracing modern living. Critall doors now open onto a reimagined patio with seamless level access. Inside, a dramatic double-height open-plan space with a bespoke oak and steel staircase forms the heart of the home. The kitchen, beautifully crafted and installed by Morpeth Kitchens, ties the scheme together with understated luxury.

Executed to an exceptional standard by Shea at SGPM, one of our trusted contractors, this collaboration reflects what Acre Design does best: managing every stage of the journey to ensure a flawless outcome. From heritage windows approved by planners to the finest interior finishes, every detail was handled with care and precision.

Our clients are thrilled with their new home, its comfort, flow, and craftsmanship have surpassed every expectation.

We love working with conservation area and heritage properties across Newcastle. If you’re planning something similar, start your journey with Alistair and see what’s achievable.

Your Dream Home Awaits

Whether you’re looking to transform a historic property or customise a new-build to meet your family’s needs, Acre Design is here to guide you every step of the way. From initial design concepts to the final touches, we’re committed to creating homes that are not just functional but inspiring.

Click this link to book a call with Acre Design Newcastle, and take the first step toward realising your dream home. Explore how we can help you bring your vision to life – just as we did with Carlton Terrace.

Most of our clients come to us looking to achieve one of two goals: creating more bedroom space or designing an open-plan family room. This often involves a combined kitchen, dining, and living area, providing a space where the family can gather together.

After carefully exploring all options—including multiple floor plan layouts, mood boards, and presentations of architectural elements and interior design—the client chose to convert their attic space and extend the rear of their new build property. The quality achieved by My Fair Homes was exceptional, with the project completed on time and within budget.

Acre Design managed contract administration above and beyond our usual design and approval duties. We coordinated with building control and planning departments, organised structural calculations, and communicated with all other stakeholders throughout the design and build process, ensuring a seamless outcome.

The result is an extraordinary home. You can’t always buy a house that meets every need perfectly; sometimes, you need to extend and customise to create a place where your family can grow and thrive. For many of our clients, these projects create their “forever home” in a neighbourhood they love. Acre Design helps transform these houses into spaces that fulfil every wish, resulting in an outcome that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

If you live in a new-build property and feel limited by cramped spaces, pinch points, or a lack of accommodation for your family’s needs, get in touch with us today. Use the link below to book a call with Karl, who can guide you through our process.

You don’t need to invest in costly design services just to understand your options. We offer a preliminary service designed for maximum value. Check out our Google reviews to see how we’ve helped clients take the first step toward creating their dream homes.

Nestled just outside Rowlands Gill, in a picturesque hamlet known as Hamsterly Mill, stood a timeworn bungalow that didn’t do justice to its breathtaking surroundings. Positioned on a magnificent plot adorned with mature trees and expansive lawns, the home was originally designed and built for a bygone era. Despite its enviable setting, the property had undergone a series of disjointed additions over the past century, leaving it aesthetically dated and functionally disjointed. None of its existing windows took advantage of the stunning panoramic views, and the layout was far from ideal for modern living.

Our challenge was to reinvigorate this tired structure, transforming it into a vibrant family home that embraced the landscape’s natural beauty while preserving the character of the original property. At the heart of the project was a complete overhaul of the kitchen and patio area—a design that would not only enhance the home’s usability but also create a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing the homeowners to fully appreciate their scenic setting.

The result? A spacious, light-filled kitchen that opens onto an elegant patio, perfectly framing the lush green vistas. The new kitchen layout has been designed to meet the client’s needs for style and functionality, incorporating modern features that maintain a timeless elegance in keeping with the existing structure. Large bi-fold doors and well-positioned windows maximize natural light and ensure the home now truly makes the most of its spectacular surroundings.

As with many of our projects, this journey began with our Needs and Options Review, a service that allows us to work closely with our clients to explore a variety of floor plan options and styles through an in-depth mood board process. By taking the time to understand our client’s vision and practical needs, we were able to create a tailored design that aligned perfectly with their tastes and budget.

Now nearing completion, with only the kitchen worktops and minor snagging left to address, the clients are thrilled with the outcome. They’ve commended our team at Acre Design for delivering a well-organized and smoothly run project, and they’ve also praised Tynesight Construction, the excellent contractor we partnered with, for their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.

If you’re considering a renovation or extension and want to explore design possibilities before committing to a full-service architectural package, our Needs and Options Review might be the perfect starting point. We have successfully guided over 1,000 clients through this process since our establishment in 2014, transforming dated properties into dream homes with personalized designs that cater to each unique vision.

Get in touch with Acre Design to learn more about how we can help you realize your dream home, no matter the scale or scope of your project.

Nestled in the heart of Tynemouth, this charming terraced property has been lovingly transformed through a collaborative effort between the clients and our talented team at Acre Design. When we first stepped into the house, it was clear the space had potential, though it felt a bit tired. The small kitchen at the rear of the home didn’t suit the needs of the growing family, leaving the ground floor disconnected and fragmented. Despite these challenges, the location, just a stone’s throw from the sea, was ideal, providing the perfect backdrop for a rejuvenation.

After exploring a range of zoning options and carefully considering the best floor plan, we worked closely with the clients to develop a design that would truly serve their needs. The end result is an open-plan kitchen and dining space that feels light, spacious, and perfect for both family living and entertaining. Whether enjoying a cozy family meal or hosting a lively gathering with friends, the new space offers flexibility and comfort in equal measure.

This project highlights how thoughtful design can completely transform a space, even when it feels restricted by size. If you’ve been dreaming of extending your home or breathing new life into a property but don’t know where to begin, a quick call with Acre Design is a great place to start. Whether you’ve been planning an extension for years or have just purchased a fixer-upper, we’re here to help bring your vision to life. Book in for a chat, and let’s explore the possibilities together!

Set within the rolling countryside of Northumberland, this thoughtfully designed two-storey extension transforms a traditional stone home into a light-filled retreat. Warm natural materials, expansive glazing, and flowing open-plan spaces create a seamless dialogue between contemporary living and rural tranquillity.

To the ground floor, the two storey side extension will add a generously sized kitchen, living and dining space which is delightfully open-plan and modern. Four panel bifold doors will draw the eye out to the stunning garden and countryside views and give that feeling of tranquillity that our clients love. One panel will open independently for quick outdoor access. The downstairs space will have sumptuous underfloor heating throughout. In the kitchen there will be an inset range cooker and American fridge freezer, a very large kitchen island with breakfast bar and plenty of high seating and preparation space as well as a stair leading to a glazed wine cellar. In the lounge area the built-in TV, media and display unit with gas fire below will be visible from kitchen so that whoever is cooking can be a part of family life in the lounge too. The comfort and fluidity this space will offer is so exciting.

To the first floor of this home, the two storey extension will enable them to have plenty of new storage, a large family bathroom with walk-in shower, large bath and twin sinks, a stunning master suite with walk-in wardrobe and dressing area and lots more new space upstairs. We designed in a stunning ‘longlight’ window over the stairs to capture that glorious sunshine to the new space and give an open, airy feel. We designed raised timber collar ties, multiple rooflights and plenty of storage for the whole family.

To the exterior, the extension will be set back from face of front elevation, as per current planning guidance. The walls of the extension will be natural larch ‘board & batten’ timber cladding to the first floor and matching new stone to ground floor. The stone building offered our lead architectural designer and design team a real treat to develop a scheme which compliments this stunning finish. The roof will be a natural slate as per existing home, with velux low-profile conservation rooflights.

The windows and doors will be made from natural timber (or timber-effect) frames to match the timber cladding and the rainwater goods will be striking black aluminium.