Mastering Residential Extensions: Design, Planning, and Building Control

Join Inside Out Your Space for an immersive, hands-on architectural workshop set in inspiring Lyme Regis, Dorset. Gain practical skills in design, planning, and building control—all in a beautiful coastal setting.

A workshop for students (age 14+), aspiring architects, and homeowners interested in learning about residential extensions.

£295 per person for a 2-day workshop

Day 1: Design Principles and Site Investigation

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Welcome & Introduction

Icebreaker activity: Participants share their experience or interest in residential extensions.

Overview of workshop objectives and agenda.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Site Investigation

Key Considerations Before Designing:

Understanding site constraints and opportunities.

Access, existing structures, and utilities.

Environmental factors and legal restrictions.

Activity: Review a sample site and identify potential challenges.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Break

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Principles of Residential Extension Design

Light and Orientation:

Identifying the best views.

Understanding North/South orientation.

Planning spaces for morning, noon, and evening use.

Avoiding overshadowing (self and neighbours).

Approach:

Designing impressive entrances and routes.

Enhancing curb appeal and the "wow factor."

Form:

Starting design from the top down.

Highlighting key/new areas.

Ensuring balanced proportions.

Style:

Adapting to the property’s character (modern, traditional, New England, etc.).

Materials:

Selecting materials that are in keeping with the property and surroundings.

Exploring options: brick, render, timber cladding, aluminium, crittall doors, etc.

Activity: Group exercise to design a conceptual extension based on principles discussed.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Break

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Navigating the Planning Process

Will My Extension Need Planning Permission?

Understanding planning permission requirements.

What is Permitted Development?

Exploring the scope of permitted development rights.

Activity: Participants review real-life planning scenarios and determine if permission is required.

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM: Break

3:45 PM - 5:00 PM: Building Control Essentials

What Are the Approved Documents?

Overview of key building control standards.

Ensuring compliance with regulations.

Activity: Review sample building control documents and identify key elements.

Day 2: Practical Application and Project Completion

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM: Recap of Day 1

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM: Construction Methods

Traditional Masonry: Benefits and limitations.

Timber Frame: Advantages and modern applications.

U-Values: Understanding insulation and energy efficiency.

Activity: Compare construction methods for a sample project and discuss pros/cons.

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM: Cost Management & Budgeting

Using tools like Build Cost Calculator and Instant Quote Estimator.

Strategies for managing cost overruns and staying within budget.

Activity: Budgeting exercise based on a sample project brief.

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM: Break

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Putting It All Together

Designing Together:

Collaborative design session to create a residential extension.

Drawing:

Introduction to technical drawing basics for extensions.

Participants create a basic floor plan and elevation for their design.

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM: Lunch Break

1:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Putting It All Together (continued)

3:00 PM - 3:15 PM: Break

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM: Submitting Your Planning Application

Preparing a complete and professional application.

Common mistakes to avoid.

Practical tips for working with local planning authorities.

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Closing Session

Recap of key learnings.

Q&A session.

Certificate of completion distribution.

Important Pre-Workshop Requirement

To ensure a truly hands-on and personalised learning experience, all attendees are required to submit the following at least one week prior to the workshop:

An actual project you’d like to work on (this could be your own home, a potential future home or a friend/family members home)

The full address of the property ideally provide either estate agent plans, existing drawings and photographs (don’t worry if you don’t have these as we can help).

A brief description of your project goals, challenges, and what you hope to achieve

This information will allow me to prepare tailored drawings and materials in advance, so you get the most value out of our time together.

Workshop Sketching Approach

We’ll be sketching by hand and to scale during the workshop—no prior CAD experience is needed. If you’d prefer to use digital tools (such as Procreate, AutoCAD, or SketchUp), you’re welcome to bring your device and work digitally. However, please note that learning how to use these programs is not part of the course content and may slow down your progress during group activities.

What You’ll Walk Away With

A strong understanding of the planning and building control process.

A concept design for your chosen project, developed through expert-led activities.

Please note: It’s unlikely that you will leave with finished drawings suitable for a planning application, but we can assist with this process after the course.

Parking We’re based at The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3PU. There are various long stay car parks in Lyme Regis. Please allow for plenty of time to arrive.

Toilets are on site.

Refreshments Tea, coffee and soft drinks provided. Fridge if you want to bring your own lunch. We’ve teamed up with the Strawberry Tree who are offering two Spanish Tapas plates or charcuterie board, a drink of choice which includes house wines and bread for the table for £20 per person using code ARCHITECTURE25.

Accessibility For any individual needs, please contact Genevieve in advance to discuss info@insideout-yourspace.co.uk