Dower House

Porter Robson was appointed to extend and refurbish Dower House in Hambledon, creating additional accommodation while preserving the established character of the existing home and its setting within the South Downs National Park.

The house presents a classically composed, Georgian-style character, defined by balanced window proportions, an ashlar-effect rendered finish and clay tiled roofs. The design extends the existing southern wing at first-floor level while maintaining the scale, hierarchy and architectural language of the original building.

The new accommodation is positioned above the existing single-storey element, completing the first-floor form without projecting beyond the established building line towards East Street. Its eaves, proportions and openings have been carefully aligned with the existing house, allowing the extension to remain subservient to the principal volume while appearing as an integral part of the composition.

A small recessed terrace provides additional private amenity without disrupting the principal elevation. New walls use a rendered ashlar-effect finish to match the existing house, alongside painted timber windows, matching clay tiles and stone coping. Repair and maintenance works to existing render and balustrading form part of the wider project, ensuring that the project supports improving the condition of the host building as well as increasing its accommodation.

Internally, the wider refurbishment reorganises part of the ground floor to create a new office, lounge and ancillary spaces, including bespoke joinery and interior designs.

Dower House demonstrates how careful proportion, matching materials and targeted refurbishment can extend an established home without diminishing the character that makes it distinctive.