A Gothic Framing Masterclass: Stepping Inside Church House

Here at The Coolector, we spend a massive amount of time pouring over modern architectural extensions. It takes a truly phenomenal studio to seamlessly blend a contemporary living space with deep-rooted historical surroundings. London-based Neil Dusheiko Architects has achieved exactly that with their latest jaw-dropping project.

Named Church House, this breathtaking Cambridgeshire extension was brilliantly designed for a family who recently relocated from the bustling streets of London to the quieter countryside.

Drawn specifically to the tranquil presence of a Grade-II* listed Gothic church right next door, the owners wanted a home that celebrated its historic neighbour rather than turning its back on it. Coming in at a project price of £450,000, this comprehensive reconfiguration is an absolute triumph of contextual, heritage-respecting design.

Respecting the Heritage

Because the property sits squarely within a strict conservation area, the street-facing front elevation of the home remains largely, and respectfully, untouched.

The true architectural magic happens at the rear of the property. Neil Dusheiko Architects didn’t just bolt a sterile, modern glass box onto the back of an old house; they meticulously reconfigured both the main home and an adjacent garden coach house.

Every single design decision—from the interior layouts and strategic window openings to the rich, tactile material palette—was directly informed by the looming, majestic presence of the neighbouring Gothic church. The architects understood that the existing environment was the true star of the show.

A Masterful Modern Extension

The absolute visual anchor of this new addition is a massive, meticulously positioned picture window that perfectly frames the historic church, drawing its striking Gothic architecture directly into the home’s daily living space.

Nestled within this cleverly tucked-away rear extension is a beautifully sunken dining area that provides an intimate, sheltered space for family meals.

To ensure the new build felt like a natural, organic evolution of the site, the studio heavily utilised exposed pale brickwork across the interior walls. This robust material is beautifully paired with a striking ceiling crafted from heavy, exposed oak beams.

This deliberate material choice brilliantly ties the fresh, contemporary spaces in with both the traditional brickwork of the existing residential property and the heavy timber beams found in the neighbouring church hall.

Reimagining the Footprint

While the rear extension itself is relatively small in its overall physical footprint, it completely unlocked the potential of the home’s original, somewhat restricted floor plan.

Upon entering the property, visitors are now immediately greeted by a massive, open-plan kitchen space that offers instant, uninterrupted views straight through to the church.

The architects logically organised a series of cosy, relaxing living spaces toward the front of the home, allowing the rear to remain open and airy.

Moving upstairs, the first-floor layout was kept largely the same to preserve the home’s original flow, but it was heavily upgraded with the creation of a luxurious new ensuite bathroom for the primary bedroom.

The interior finishes across the entire upper level were completely updated to flawlessly match the refined, contemporary aesthetic established in the spaces below.

The Coach House Revival

This ambitious project certainly didn’t stop at the main residence. Sitting neatly in the garden, an adjacent coach house was also completely reconfigured by the design team to function as a highly flexible, multi-use space.

Serving brilliantly as a playroom, a creative studio, and a tranquil garden room, it provides the family with crucial extra breathing room away from the main house.

Finished with the exact same high-quality oak joinery seen in the primary residence, it feels like a flawless, cohesive part of the wider estate.

The absolute highlight of the coach house has to be the bespoke built-in window seats situated on the first floor, offering an unparalleled, elevated vantage point to look out over the meticulously landscaped garden and the historic church beyond.