Thanks for the mentions peeps ! Just popped in while I'm stopping work for a quick coffee ! Re seamless worksurface - lots of composites do very well concealed joints ! But you can also use changes in height or adding a chopping block or marble pastry rolling area into long runs to hide the fact you needed to make a join . [ marketing note : The price for a design,that's unique to you and your family, that's done over the course of a working week, keeping the client in the loop along the way and ending up with a comprehensive set of drawings, like the ones on my pro page, a PDF with those drawings in and an item listing - enabling you to shop around and haggle for the best price is between £450 and £675 for a kitchen - and all of my clients have saved so much more by shopping around that they have recouped (and more ) that initial outlay ... ... But other design options are also available if people want to spend less ! ]

Starting with the initial structure, you need a good layout allowing efficient and effective flow to work areas without obstruction (barrier island, too much thoroughfare in the kitchen, no space for a second person) and a good location overall (not miles from the car, not miles from anywhere for that matter, good ventilation, good natural light and view, some degree of separation from living areas). Then design, good proportions of cabinets, and seating if there is, all materials that are easy to clean, good artificial lighting, makes the space work as it should. I dislike top cabinets too deep, or top cabinets on every bit of wall available. I alsk dislike the line of pew/bar-like seating at islands. And good quality work is vital. The hollow floor tiles, terrible counter seams, doors not closing properly, don't allow wow. And regarding use, use the available space well, take advantage of the design with efficient use and avoid clutter. arrange dishes &appliances effectively, and give it some personality what would make me go wow involves mostly the top points on the actual house and kitchen design, because it's considerably easier to change a terrible or outdated splashback than it is to move the kitchen around the corner for better light are you designing a new build or reno? It would help to consult the relevant pros for a wow result

How about have the kitchen where you want it and a bifold fire door across the opening to separate it from the living room? Would satisfy regs I believe though may not be cheap...

I don’t think you’ll be too far off with 50k + contingency. We’re having something very similar done in Cambridge (also not a cheap place for this kind of work) and our quotes for the build (including glazing, plumbing and electrics) are around the 50k mark. We’re extending out by 3m but our overall width is 7.5m so slightly narrower than yours. We’re also having 6m of bifolds across the back wall which aren’t cheap so if you’re not fussed about bifolds that might be a saving for you. I would get a couple of architects to quote you for doing the drawings. The quote should be free and they will usually have a good idea about how much it would cost to build. Tell them your budget and they should be able to advise what you can and can’t achieve. If they all say it will cost more than 50k then you haven’t actually spent any money so haven’t lost anything if you don’t proceed at that point.