Gate5 Design Ltd designs and builds home extensions in Bristol and Bath, shaped around your existing home and how you want to live. Whether you need a larger kitchen, an additional room or a better connection to the garden, we consider layout, daylight, thermal comfort and materials together from the outset.
We can help with architectural design and planning, technical design and construction, depending on the support your project needs. Our approach combines practical design with carefully considered construction to create space that feels like part of your home.
A single-storey extension adds ground-floor space, whether for a larger kitchen, another room or a better connection to the garden. Its position and layout depend on the existing home and the space around it.
Single and double storey describe the height. The options below describe where the extension sits; an over-structure extension adds space above an existing part of the home.
Extends into the garden to create more room for everyday living — perhaps a brighter kitchen, a generous dining area or a better connection to the garden. The design should balance the extra space with daylight, privacy and the garden you want to keep.
Makes better use of space beside the house, widening the ground floor or adding a new room. A carefully planned side extension can improve the layout and flow without making the home feel darker or cramped.
Adds space above an existing garage or single-storey part of the home, making use of a footprint that is already there and potentially preserving more garden. The existing structure needs to be assessed early so the design works with its foundations and supports.
Combines a rear extension with a side extension to create one larger, connected space. This can transform a fragmented ground-floor layout into a more generous kitchen, dining and living area. The term usually describes the L-shaped footprint created by extending in both directions.
Extends into the garden to create more room for everyday living — perhaps a brighter kitchen, a generous dining area or a better connection to the garden. The design should balance the extra space with daylight, privacy and the garden you want to keep.
Makes better use of space beside the house, widening the ground floor or adding a new room. A carefully planned side extension can improve the layout and flow without making the home feel darker or cramped.
Adds space above an existing garage or single-storey part of the home, making use of a footprint that is already there and potentially preserving more garden. The existing structure needs to be assessed early so the design works with its foundations and supports.
Combines a rear extension with a side extension to create one larger, connected space. This can transform a fragmented ground-floor layout into a more generous kitchen, dining and living area. The term usually describes the L-shaped footprint created by extending in both directions.
The example is based on one of our recent projects in Brislington, Bristol. It compares the proposed eco-extension construction with a conventional brick-and-block alternative of a similar size.
The eco-extension uses a highly insulated SIP-based wall system, continuous PIR insulation and carefully designed roof and floor build-ups. The result is a thinner external wall with improved thermal performance.
| Element | Eco-extension | UK standard | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| External wall thermal performance | 0.14 W/m²K | 0.18 W/m²K maximum | 22% better than the wall requirement. |
| External wall thickness | 260 mm | 320–335 mm | 20% thinner than a standard brick-and-block cavity wall. |
| Roof | 0.13 W/m²K | 0.15 W/m²K maximum | 13% better than the roof requirement. |
| Floor | 0.15 W/m²K | 0.18 W/m²K maximum | 17% better than the floor requirement. |
| Overall performance | The eco-extension performs 17–18% better than the relevant UK standards. | ||
| Construction cost | The eco-extension costs 7% less than the standard equivalent construction. | ||
We visit, measure up and talk through what you want the space to do and what the budget needs to be.
Concept drawings and options, developed with you until the layout is right.
We prepare and submit the application and deal with the council on your behalf.
Construction drawings, structural coordination and Building Regulations information. Structural reports are commissioned separately.
Our trades build it, managed to a schedule you can see, with one point of contact.
Snagging, handover and certification. Warranty options through FMB Insurance Services can be discussed for your project.
Tell us about the property, what you want to change and the stage you have reached.
