Remodelling a Grade II Listed Townhouse in Clifton, Bristol

DHV Architects were appointed to remodel a large Grade II listed townhouse on the edge of Clifton Village, overlooking the Downs. The house had been a family home for more than two decades, but the rear of the property felt tired, dark and poorly connected to its south-facing garden.

The brief was to create a light-filled, modern family home while preserving the historic character of the listed building. As with many listed homes in Bristol, the challenge was not simply to add space, but to understand where change could be made without harming the significance of the original house.

First floor living room

Understanding the listed building

The main house was largely built in a single phase during the late eighteenth century. It is arranged over five storeys, with a split-level ground floor between the street and the lower garden at the rear. Later rear extensions were added during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including a four-storey utility annexe and a smaller two-storey lean-to beside the kitchen.

Before developing the design, DHV Architects carried out a desktop heritage review using historic maps, drawings and photographs where available. This helped establish the development of the house, identify areas of higher and lower significance, and shape the listed building consent strategy.

For listed building projects, understanding significance is central. It helps determine which parts of a building should be preserved, where careful alteration may be acceptable, and how proposals can provide heritage benefits through repair, reinstatement or the removal of harmful later additions.

Removing a poor-quality rear extension

The smaller lean-to kitchen extension had lost much of its historic character. Its roof had been replaced in the 1980s and the external walls had been finished in inappropriate modern cement render. The extension also restricted daylight into the upper ground floor kitchen, blocked views of the garden and created awkward stepped access outside.

Because the structure was considered to be of low significance, its removal offered a clear opportunity to improve the house. Historic materials were carefully salvaged during dismantling and reused to form new stair treads, reducing waste and preserving usable historic fabric.

Creating a stronger connection to the garden

The removal of the lean-to allowed a new south-facing roof terrace to be created at upper ground floor level. This provides an intermediate garden space for dining and entertaining, while improving daylight and views from the kitchen.

The original footprint was preserved, with the new terrace no larger than the previous extension. A large walk-on rooflight was introduced between the retained rear annexe and the rebuilt element, creating a clear visual separation between old and new. The rooflight also brings natural light into the lower ground floor kitchen below.

Structural Glass Design Ltd. supplied the large single walk-on rooflight, while Skeletal Consulting Engineers provided the structural design, including the opening up of the external wall to form a generous, light-filled entrance hall between the garden, kitchen and living room.

Walk-on rooflight

Remodelling the family home

The lower ground floor was remodelled to provide guest accommodation for family, including a bedroom, bathroom, living room and enlarged kitchen with direct garden access.

At first floor level, a large modern balcony was removed to improve daylight to the new terrace below. A Juliet balcony was installed to retain views from the living room. On the second floor, the master bedroom was reinstated, while a modern windowless en-suite was removed and replaced with a larger dressing room and bathroom overlooking Clifton and Dundry Hill.

The rest of the house was fully refurbished and redecorated. Edward Bulmer Natural Paints were used throughout to create warmth, depth and historically appropriate colour for the late-eighteenth-century interior.

Improving comfort and energy performance

Thermal upgrades were included to the new extensions and other parts of the listed building where appropriate. With traditional buildings, energy improvements must be carefully considered to avoid trapping moisture or damaging historic fabric.

A small photovoltaic array was also installed discreetly between the two mansard roofs, where it is not visible from the surrounding area. This allows the house to generate electricity without visually harming the listed building.

A modern home within a historic Bristol townhouse

The completed project has transformed the relationship between the house and garden. Dark and awkward rear spaces have been replaced with generous, light-filled rooms, improved access, a south-facing terrace and carefully upgraded accommodation across the house.

The project shows how sensitive listed building alterations can improve everyday family life while preserving the character and significance of a historic Clifton townhouse.

If you'd like to discuss alterations to a Listed house in Bristol or the South-West, simply fill out our form or call us on 0117 914 8317.