Modern Timber And Glass Extension To Historic Chapel Conversion

We gained permission to expand a Victorian chapel conversion with a contemporary extension connected by a glazed link, doubling the building’s footprint and creating a contrast between old and new.

Our clients, the owners of the Old Chapel, approached us to extend the building and rework its internal layout for better space and flow.

To meet the brief, we designed a 1.5-storey extension connected by a glazed link, using agricultural-style materials, such as dark-stained timber, paired with modern details like floor-to-ceiling windows.

The result is a striking yet sensitive blend of old and new - a scheme that combines a contemporary semi-detached extension with internal alterations that enhance comfort, usability, and views, while respecting the building’s historic character and rural setting.

The Old Chapel, A Charming Chapel Conversion In Kent

The Old Chapel is located in a small village in the Dover district, within a conservation area and just outside the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty boundary. Built in 1891 from Cambridge yellow brick with red detailing, it sits on a sloping plot with open views across the surrounding landscape.

Originally constructed as a Baptist chapel, the structure reflects the simple scale and form typical of its type. However, its interior character was lost during a residential conversion undertaken by the previous owners in the early 2000s.

Though not a listed building, it’s considered a non-designated heritage asset of local significance.

The Brief: Building A Modern Semi-Detached Extension

The clients hired James Clague Architects with a clear aim: to expand and improve the functionality of their second home in a way that celebrated the Old Chapel’s historic character.

Although they initially explored the idea of building a separate dwelling elsewhere on the plot, planning constraints steered them towards a more integrated approach. 

Their priorities included creating a generous master suite, improving the layout and head height of the existing bedrooms, increasing natural light and views, and maintaining a sense of architectural unity between the original building and the addition.

The Design: A Striking 1.5-storey Extension With A Glazed Link

The converted chapel’s layout felt poorly configured, with low head height upstairs, awkward circulation, and a ground-floor bathroom oddly positioned beside the kitchen.

We reconfigured internal facilities to meet modern standards and designed a 1.5-storey rear extension connected by a single-storey glazed link. 

The design removes a portion of the chapel’s rear wall to form a connection, allowing the new extension to engage with the old while preserving as much original fabric as possible.

The extension matches the chapel’s footprint and mirrors its form, but sits slightly lower and offset to the side. It follows the plot’s natural slope to maintain a subservient profile and minimise its impact on neighbouring boundaries and the wider landscape.

The Layout

We reimagined the Old Chapel's layout to create a more balanced relationship between private and shared spaces while working within tight planning constraints.

Key features include:

• Two reconfigured bedrooms and a new upstairs shower room within the original chapel, replacing cramped spaces with more generous, usable rooms
• A master suite with en suite bathroom tucked into the roof space of the new extension opening onto a cantilevered balcony 
• An open-plan living and dining area on the ground floor of the extension with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to a decked terrace overlooking the landscape
• A split-level kitchen spanning both the original building and the glazed link.

The Materials

The materials palette draws directly from the surrounding village context, where buildings vary in age and style, and dark timber cladding is a common feature.

The materials we specified for the Old Chapel extension include:

• Dark-stained timber cladding 
• A standing seam roof
• A green roof over the glazed link
• A black-painted steel balustrade to the cantilevered balcony.

The dark timber cladding and seam roof reference local agricultural buildings, creating a clear contrast in materials while still sitting comfortably alongside the chapel’s historic brickwork. This distinction between old and new avoids pastiche and helps the design feel both respectful and rooted in its context.

The green roof over the glazed link, which will be planted with vegetation, boosts insulation, absorbs rainwater, and helps the extension blend into its surroundings.

A slim, black-painted steel balustrade wraps the balcony, providing safety without blocking the views across the landscape.

While part of the chapel’s rear wall will be removed to form the connection, the original red and yellow brickwork will be carefully retained wherever possible to respect the building’s historic character.

Improvements To The Existing Chapel

While assessing the condition of the chapel, we found that the single-glazed windows installed during the previous conversion had deteriorated beyond repair. Although not original, these have become part of the building’s character. To preserve it, we’ll replace them with new windows in the same style that offer better performance and insulation.

We also introduced conservation rooflights to discreetly improve natural light and ventilation in the reconfigured spaces, which were previously dark and had little airflow.

The Landscaping

To complete the extension, we designed a decked terrace off the new living area that sits at garden level, creating a seamless indoor–outdoor connection and opening views across the landscape.

Soft landscaping and bee-friendly planting will help define the new garden while preserving the site’s rural character.

Access And Sustainability

Located in a rural setting, the Old Chapel is accessed via a narrow lane. To improve safety, we introduced a new turning head within the property, allowing vehicles to enter and exit without reversing onto the road.

Sustainability was a key driver throughout the project. We specified timber cladding and are exploring cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction to lower the building’s carbon footprint and speed up build time. This construction method also reduces disruption, noise, and traffic, helping minimise impact on neighbouring properties.

The standing seam roof and green roof over the glazed link support energy efficiency and biodiversity. Surface water will drain via a soakaway system, while the existing septic tank will continue to manage waste on site.

The Planning Process

Because the chapel sits in a conservation area and is considered a non-designated heritage asset, we made a pre-application enquiry. 

Dover District Council highlighted several key sensitivities, including how the glazed link would connect to the chapel and the importance of maintaining original window proportions. We took this guidance on board and integrated it into the design.

By mirroring the chapel’s form, keeping the extension slightly lower and offset, and using materials inspired by local agricultural buildings, we secured planning permission with only minor adjustments.

Bringing the Project to Life

Construction on the Old Chapel extension is expected to begin in 2025. 

We’re currently developing the technical design. By preparing detailed tender information and advising on suitable contractors, we’re supporting the clients through the next phase to ensure a smooth and efficient delivery.

The Client’s Feedback

The clients have been closely involved, providing clear direction on layout and materials from the outset, and have stayed actively engaged throughout the process. 

Their feedback has been positive, and they’re particularly happy with how the design balances character, functionality, and sensitivity, while delivering the generous extension they hoped for within tight planning constraints.

If you’re planning to extend a historic building or enhance a rural home, we can guide your project from concept to completion. James Clague Architects are part of Latchmere House, an architecture and engineering collective that brings together architects, engineers, surveyors, and property specialists under one roof.

From our studio in Canterbury, we work across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and the South East. We can support you through the planning process, prepare consent applications, and recommend trusted contractors for heritage-sensitive builds. To discuss your project, book an initial consultation or call 01227 649073.