Beckett House, Crawley, West Sussex home , Architect, English property, architecture photos

Beckett House in West Sussex, UK

11 October 2025

Design: Adam Knibb Architects

Location: Crawley, West Sussex, south east England, UK

Photos: Martin Gardner

Beckett House, West Sussex, England

Following on from the success of the Bluebell Pool House, Adam Knibb Architects were approached to review and produce ideas for a whole house refurbishment and extension to the neighbouring property, Beckett House.

Tight planning constraints meant we had to take an inventive view towards getting the space required. With the original cottage based in the countryside, we had to make use of a planning loophole that only allowed a small dwelling to be extended by 25% if below 120sqm. Following this, if the existing house was then over 120sqm we could apply for a much larger extension.

It was proposed that the existing 1950s Farm Worker cottage would be refurbished into a very contemporary modern house. The ground floor extension gives the opportunity for a large vista view to the garden and woodlands beyond. At first floor level a new master suite was added which poked its head out around the existing building and benefited from dual aspect views.

The exterior concept was for a distinct datum between the ground and first floor; a solid monolithic masonry base at the ground and a first floor timber box appearing to sit lightly on top. The design does not want to be overbearing to the road so gives a soft modern approach from the front but then completely transforms the house from the rear.

Internally, a radical floating staircase allows natural light to be brought through from the front hallway into the open plan rear space. Large slim line sliding doors blur the transition between internal and external space.