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xtension at The Old Post Office. A transformation project by Hawkes Architecture Ltd

Transformation

The Old Post Office

Standing with sweeping views across the High Weald National Landscape, this extensive transformation upon the Green Belt remodels an Old Post Office on Toys Hill.

Extending & remodelling

Updating a Victorian home

This substantial renovation and extension reimagines a former post office on Toys Hill, near Sevenoaks, located within the Green Belt and the High Weald National Landscape. Standing proudly on an elevated site, the house now enjoys far-reaching views to the south and is designed to nestle discreetly into the hillside to the north. Approved by Wealden District Council, the project balances contemporary living with a clear respect for its rural context, reworking the existing home into a tranquil, light-filled residence tailored to modern family life.

Design details

Evolving the Old Post Office

The transformation includes a partial extension and reconfiguration of the existing house, along with the replacement and extension of the basement to enhance the home’s functionality and visual connection to the landscape. Key to the design was creating a clear hierarchy in how the home presents itself: understated and grounded to the north, open and expressive to the south.


Internally, the layout has been restructured to improve flow and maximise views. A generous new hall and stair now serve as the central organising space, while two quiet rooms facing the street provide dedicated work-from-home areas. To the rear, a double-height, south-facing space opens up to panoramic views of the High Weald, anchoring the main living areas within the landscape. The lower ground floor now accommodates extended living spaces, while the first-floor addition introduces a new master suite with double-aspect views that echo the original house’s character.

The design also improves access and parking, relocating the entrance and driveway to the north of the property to create a safer, more practical approach.

The Old Post Office. This Green Belt and High Weald home transforms a former post office into a light-filled family residence. By Hawkes Architecture Ltd.
The Old Post Office. This Green Belt and High Weald home transforms a former post office into a light-filled family residence. By Hawkes Architecture Ltd.
The Old Post Office. This Green Belt and High Weald home transforms a former post office into a light-filled family residence. By Hawkes Architecture Ltd.

The transformation includes a partial extension and reconfiguration of the existing house, along with the replacement and extension of the basement to enhance the home’s functionality and visual connection to the landscape. Key to the design was creating a clear hierarchy in how the home presents itself: understated and grounded to the north, open and expressive to the south.


Internally, the layout has been restructured to improve flow and maximise views. A generous new hall and stair now serve as the central organising space, while two quiet rooms facing the street provide dedicated work-from-home areas. To the rear, a double-height, south-facing space opens up to panoramic views of the High Weald, anchoring the main living areas within the landscape. The lower ground floor now accommodates extended living spaces, while the first-floor addition introduces a new master suite with double-aspect views that echo the original house’s character.

The design also improves access and parking, relocating the entrance and driveway to the north of the property to create a safer, more practical approach.

Fabric & Form

The Construction Process

The material palette was chosen to reflect and complement the surrounding landscape, while subtly expressing the new additions. The lower level is clad in locally sourced ragstone render, rooting the building into the escarpment and connecting it visually with the garden and nearby stonework typical of the area. Above, contemporary timber cladding creates a softly weathered, consistent finish, helping the upper floor relate to the wooded backdrop.

To distinguish the master bedroom extension, a standing seam metal cladding wraps the volume and integrates seamlessly with the roofscape. Its irregular profile and muted grey tone allow the addition to sit comfortably against the existing house while reinforcing a sense of architectural evolution.

Line Drawing

Axonometric

The Old Post Office. This Green Belt and High Weald home transforms a former post office into a light-filled family residence. By Hawkes Architecture Ltd.