Let it rain! Incredible extensions - including a garden 'sun rain room' - that prove you don't need to move house to live somewhere with a bit more space

The Sun and Rain Rooms Project (pictured), based in Islington, London, was crowned overall winner of the Don't Move, Improve Awards

The two-storey extension and restoration of a Grade-II Georgian townhouse, and features a striking undulating roof with a rainwater-gathering tank on top 

At the push of a button, water from the tank floods the patio and transforms it into a reflecting pool (right). Left: The front of the Islington-based property 

The striking build beautifully enhances space in the London property and allows for a staggering amount of natural light to flood the interior 

The project was designed and built by architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu at their home, and features the work of local crafts people

The beautiful and natural-looking staircase inside the Sun and Rain Rooms blends in seamlessly with the property's heritage   

In overcrowded London where space is in high demand, the designers of the Sun Rain rooms have done an extraordinary job of maximising all the space available to him  

It offers: 'A fine example of how creative design can deliver innovative solutions that reinterpret the way we use garden space', according to the chairman of New London Architecture, Peter Murray 

Second prize went to Dewsbury Road in Brent, by O'Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects

The extension comprised of oak and ash which are considered sacred woods in Irish mythology — a nod to the owners' heritage

Built-in kitchen units utilise the same material. The designers said it helps the space to feel 'simple, yet warm and characterful'

The dining area comprises a bespoke solid-ash table and bench seat that fits in with the adjacent cabinets

The new extension was designed to improve the link between the house and garden, as well as providing better natural light and more storage

Joint third prize was awarded to Bayston Road in Hackney (pictured) by Al-Jawad Pike and The Etch House in Lewisham by Fraher Architects

The designers were requested to create a new cooking area that overlooked the garden and replace a former kitchen that the owner complained of being dark and cramped

Jessam Al-Jawad and Dean Pike designed the extension as one open space and employed simple materials in a restrained colour palette

The minimalist design of the kitchen also allows for ample natural light to flood the stunning extension, which replaced a 'dark and cramped' former kitchen 

The astonishing build is contemporary but also compliments the Hackney-based properties Victorian heritage 

Joint third prize-winner The Etch House, in Lewisham, looked to challenge the traditional layout by using the staircase to cut across the building

This removed the dark corridor and landing spaces and instead liberating the plan installing a CNC cut dynamic staircase with active landing study and playroom spaces, according to the designers 

Despite the house suffering from a narrow plan, the architects were able to maximise the space by changing the staircase to cut across the building 

Despite the house suffering from a narrow plan, the architects were able to maximise the space by changing the staircase to cut across the building

Kitchen units and other fitted cabinets in the quirky property are made from a coloured MDF material called Valchromat

The outline of the property's previous staircase has been marked on cabinets in the lounge 

The living area is now spacious and modern and the space inside maximised thanks to the architects' plans