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5th Jul 2023

Thanks @gibsonthornley for the @V_and_A tour. The 1935 @leica_camera has been added to our Christmas list https://t.co/Kxur1R9SHX

3rd Jul 2023

In this news this week, we’re discussing the costs of renovations, ‘Who would want to take on a fixer-upper?’
https://t.co/PsW2K4odwH

16th Jun 2023

Beautiful working models and drawings from Schneider Türtscher @BarbicanCentre @ArchFoundation @elliswoodman https://t.co/qAVwTFTzmT

Architecture for London
3-5 Bleeding Heart Yard
London EC1N 8SJ

mail@architectureforlondon.com
020 3637 4236

News

18th Aug 2023

VAT on Green Home Improvements Readmore

Architecture for London stands with MPs calling for the government to reduce VAT on green home improvements. In June, the UK government made a legally binding agreement to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, compared to the levels in 1990. This would put us on track to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.

15th Aug 2023

Eco-friendly homes: 10 ways to create an eco-home Readmore

Sustainable design choices and eco-friendly home improvements are crucial in combating the effects of climate change in the UK. How can you make your home an eco-home? As the UK faces the mounting challenges posed by the climate emergency, it is evident that urgent action must be taken to mitigate its effects. Homes, of any […]

10th Aug 2023

Architecture for London at Open House 2023 Readmore

London’s architectural landscape is a blend of the historic and the contemporary, and there’s no better time to explore this than during the Open House Festival. This year, as part of the festival, we are thrilled to announce that two of our completed residential projects, along with a retail project, will be open for public […]

1st Aug 2023

Sustainable house refurbishment ideas Readmore

We are currently facing the dual dilemmas of a climate emergency and widespread species extinction. Our existing homes in the UK consume vast amounts of energy in the form of fossil fuels. How can homeowners begin to address these issues? This article provides sustainable house refurbishment ideas. The UK has committed to achieving net-zero emissions […]

10th Jul 2023

Barbican brutalist architecture: An unsustainable relationship with concrete? Readmore

The Brutalism of the Barbican furthered our foundational obsession with concrete in the 20th century. Far beyond its pole position as the most consumed synthetic product in the world, and despite the catastrophic carbon cost of its production, concrete’s cultural identity in Britain today exceeds any economic or functional virtues to reach a dominant aesthetic […]

3rd Jul 2023

Open plan living: How to create a bright and spacious home Readmore

Thoughtful design can unlock the benefits of open plan and broken plan living, but are there any drawbacks? An open plan design allows for the merging of communal areas within a home. Free from partitions, this aids in free-flowing movement and an increase in space. Open plan living started in 1930s America at the beginning […]

12th Jun 2023

House & Garden Top 100 Architects Readmore

We are proud to be included in House & Garden’s ‘Top 100 Interior Designers and Architects for 2023′, in addition to 2002. We are in some great company, with lots of talented designers and architects featured this year. “Ben Ridley (an architect and Passivhaus designer) and his team specialise in low-energy buildings. The firm’s projects […]

3rd May 2023

Building a house extension on a neighbour’s boundary Readmore

House extensions in London are often built on, or very close to, a neighbour’s boundary. This article offers advice about how to negotiate the process. We’d always recommend speaking to your neighbour as early as possible. Ideally this should happen once sketch plans have been produced, but before any application for consents has been submitted. […]

1st May 2023

Hiring: Project Architect Readmore

Architecture for London is seeking project architects with a passion for good design that touches lightly on the earth. We are a studio dedicated to the creation of sustainable buildings and places. Environmental impact is a key consideration in our work. We take a research-based, fabric first approach to sustainability that carefully considers the embodied […]

1st Apr 2023

Hiring: Administration Manager Readmore

We have an opportunity for an administration manager to join our team in London. We are a central London based contractor with an architect-led design and build service. We work alongside Architecture for London, an award-winning architecture practice dedicated to the creation of inspirational and sustainable architecture and interiors. We are looking for an administrator […]

16th Mar 2023

House extension foundations explained Readmore

From rafts and trenches to piles and ground screws, this article delves into house extension foundations. We’ll explore both traditional and modern approaches to foundation design. When embarking on a new house extension, it’s crucial to design the correct foundations from the outset. Rectifying any issues later can be costly, disruptive, and time-consuming. It’s essential […]

7th Mar 2023

Camden architects Readmore

Architecture for London has completed a number of bespoke homes in the Borough of Camden. Our architects create beautiful and crafted properties with a considered design approach. Client involvement at each…

6th Feb 2023

Single storey rear extensions Readmore

A single storey extension is a great way to add valuable space, but careful planning, designing and budgeting are essential to ensure a successful project. Under Permitted Development Rights (PD), homeowners can add a single storey extension to their home without applying for planning permission, as long as it adheres to a list of conditions. […]

3rd Jan 2023

Islington architects Readmore

Architecture for London has completed a number of projects in Islington. We have expertise in working with listed buildings and heritage projects, and our architects understand the particular planning and…

9th Nov 2022

Architects in Westminster Readmore

Architecture for London has completed a number of bespoke private homes in Westminster. At Albion Street in Bayswater we are extending and renovating a Grade 2 listed Georgian house. A three floor rear addition in brick and oak provides a new guest bedroom, kitchen and first floor home office. The high specification fit…

13th May 2022

Interior design with Francis Bacon Readmore

Though Francis Bacon is scarcely known for the furniture and rug designs he made as a young man, this part of his past gives us significant insight into his self and work. Against the trappings of Bacon’s celebrity in the latter half of the 20th century, all the tales of gambling, drink and rough sex, his violence and his iconoclasm, a somewhat lesser-recalled history is one of his inter-war period, when he worked for a time as an interior designer.

2nd Mar 2022

Mansard roof extensions Readmore

What is a mansard roof? A mansard is a type of roof that was fashionable in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Mansard roof extensions provide a larger floor area in comparison to a typical loft conversion, as the ceiling height is maximised around the whole perimeter of the space. They have a steeper […]

7th Feb 2022

New permitted development rights for rooftop extensions Readmore

What are the new Permitted Development Rights? There are two major changes in the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), which came into effect in August 2020. Several new Permitted Development Rights for rooftop extensions and new dwellings have been introduced. These new rights make it easier for homeowners and developers to add more space or […]

25th Jan 2022

Hiring: Studio Manager Readmore

Architecture for London has an opportunity for a studio manager to join its team in London. We are looking for a studio/office manager with experience in architecture/design-related workplaces to carry out administrative roles within a thriving young practice. We are award-winning architects and designers working on a range of private residential, and commercial projects across […]

7th Oct 2021

Hiring: Structural Engineer Readmore

Architecture for London is looking for an experienced engineer with a passion for low embodied energy structures to join its London-based team. The role requires at least three years’ post-qualification experience working within UK practice. This role is ideal for someone looking to take on more responsibility and leadership with potential to grow their own […]

5th Oct 2021

Hiring: Construction Project Manager Readmore

We seek experienced construction project managers with a passion for building high quality residential projects in London. We are a central London based contractor with an architect-led design and build service. We work alongside Architecture for London, an award-winning architecture practice dedicated to the creation of inspirational and sustainable architecture and interiors. Environmental impact is […]

21st Sep 2021

Insulate Britain: a call for sustainable design Readmore

Insulate Britain have gained significant momentum in the past week. The campaign group have blockaded the M25 five times in the past 10 days – demanding that Boris Johnson and the UK government take urgent action and make a meaningful commitment to ensure Britain’s housing stock is properly insulated by 2030.

20th May 2021

Housing the millennial generation Readmore

Who are the millennial generation? Millennials, otherwise known as Generation Y, are those born between 1980 – 2000. They have also been labelled the ‘Peter Pan’ generation due to many delaying rites of passage into adulthood for longer periods than those before them. This delay may be attributed to economic pressures not faced by previous […]

14th May 2021

How much does it cost to build a house in the UK in 2023? Readmore

This article explores the cost of building a house in London and the south east. The various relevant design and construction factors are discussed, along with the associated expenses that a potential self builder will need to plan for. Despite high build costs in London due to constrained sites and higher labour costs, there are a number of opportunities for savings. The available tax incentives are also explored, these are significant and may therefore be a key consideration when determining a total budget…

26th Apr 2021

Highgate House Readmore

This house extension improves a late Victorian property in Highgate. The design stems from a desire to create an inverted architecture and landscape: one that might appear to have been excavated from an existing solid rather than constructed from the ground up. View Architecture for London’s portfolio of recent residential projects. The rear extension creates […]

18th Apr 2021

Architects fees in the UK 2023 Readmore

This article illustrates architects fees for various types and sizes of project, with a focus on private homes. As there are no longer standard or even recommended fees in the UK, they are a matter for negotiation between an architect and the client. They will be determined by the size and location of the architectural practice, the size and type of the project and level of service required. Projects are usually defined by comparative difficulty levels with categories one to five, each having a complexity greater than the previous category…

20th Feb 2021

Passivhaus architects in London 2023 Readmore

Architecture for London are leading Passivhaus architects in London. All of our designs employ a ‘fabric first’ approach to sustainability and director Ben Ridley is a Certified Passivhaus Designer. Visit our projects portfolio to see our recent work, or contact us on 020 3637 4236. This article discusses the challenges of meeting the Passivhaus standard in London homes, both for new […]

20th Dec 2020

What is a Maisonette? Readmore

Property buyers often come across the word ‘maisonette’ during their search, although it can be unclear what this refers to. ‘Maisonette’ is a broad term, further confused by the fact that it can also mean different things depending on where you are in the world. This article explains the key features of maisonettes in the […]

30th Nov 2020

How long does planning permission take? Readmore

One of the most common questions that our clients ask is: how long does planning permission take? The short answer is that the statutory period for determining an application is 8 weeks for a household or minor application. Larger or complex developments can, however, take up to 13 weeks. There are many factors which can […]

28th Oct 2020

Paragraph 80 (Paragraph 79): The Modern Country House Readmore

Since its inclusion in the National Planning Policy Framework, Paragraph 79 (previously paragraph 55 / PPS7 / PPG7) actively dissuades local authorities from approving any development on unbuilt land in a rural setting. Importantly though, there are a number of exceptions within the policy detail. The most interesting exception for clients dreaming of a self-build country house is…

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22nd Aug 2023

Desk space available in our studio. First floor of a large converted warehouse in Bleeding Heart Yard, EC1N 8SJ. Very close to Farringdon Station / Elizabeth Line. High ceilings and lots of natural light.We have one desks available, all bills included at £450 pcm each (no VAT due). Available now.Includes use of meeting room and kitchen.Email: mail@architectureforlondon.com for viewings. #deskspace #desks #office #studio #workplace #working #rental #property

23rd Jul 2023

Present & Correct’s identity is translated through a grid inspired by the ISO 216 A chart, which influences the perception of nearly all the printed images in Europe. This grid traverses the surface of the shop cabinetry.

22nd Jul 2023

The brief called for a demountable interior, allowing the lifespan of the project to extend beyond the lease of the location. A muted palette of maple plywood and ash timber is paired with a quarry tile floor, Vitsœ shelving and new LED lighting throughout.

21st Jul 2023

We completed both the design and construction of a new location for the stationers @presentandcorrect within a heritage retail unit in Bloomsbury

19th Jul 2023

Oak, lime plaster, limestone and brick at Southgate Road in Islington

15th Jul 2023

Limestone basin at Southgate Road, Islington

14th Jul 2023

A space saving bathroom at Southgate Road, Islington

4th May 2023

De Beauvoir extension: A low-level concrete datum runs through the external walls, where a niche in the brick creates a concrete bench at this level.A polished concrete floor runs from outside to the internal sitting and dining areas. Natural limestone and unpainted lime plaster walls complete the material palette internally.

3rd May 2023

De Beauvoir extension, material detail. A range of thermal improvements were made to the property. Chimney flues were insulated and made airtight. Wood fibre insulation was applied to the existing external walls and Aerogel perimeter insulating strips were used to reduce cold bridging.In addition to insulating, membranes and tape were specified to provide airtightness. Timber flitch beams were employed to reduce the embodied energy in the structure.

2nd May 2023

De Beauvoir Extension: the material palette is informed by a contextual approach, with ivory brick and lime mortar that closely resembles the original building. Contemporary detailing and oak joinery create a distinction between old and new.

1st Apr 2023

Caithness Road: detail of stone kitchen island and joinery wall

31st Mar 2023

At Caithness Road, a poorly built rear outrigger will be replaced with a three-storey timber frame extension, providing a double-height space on the lower ground floor and a stone room for bathing.

30th Mar 2023

Caithness Road is a low-energy retrofit of a Victorian terraced home in Hammersmith. The existing house will be insulated with natural, breathable materials and all windows will be replaced with triple glazed units to improve thermal performance.

28th Mar 2023

Lime plaster and limestone at Southgate Road, Islington

17th Mar 2023

Southgate Road extension in lime plaster and oak

10th Mar 2023

Southgate Road oak kitchen

9th Mar 2023

Southgate Road limestone and oak

3rd Mar 2023

Stone fireplaces in Highbury

3rd Mar 2023

Stone fireplaces in Highbury

2nd Mar 2023

Stone fireplaces in Highbury

18th Feb 2023

Douglas Fir at Highshore Road: joinery details @jillmacnair

17th Feb 2023

Kitchen progress at Highshore Road @jillmacnair

16th Feb 2023

Douglas Fir at Highshore Road: joinery details @jillmacnair

11th Feb 2023

Progress at Highshore Road: Study bookshelf @jillmacnair

9th Feb 2023

Progress at Highshore Road: joinery details @jillmacnair

8th Feb 2023

Progress at Highshore Road: joinery details @jillmacnair

3rd Feb 2023

Southgate Road: niches create bench seats both inside and out

2nd Feb 2023

Detail of bay window at Southgate Road

1st Feb 2023

A rear extension at Southgate Road in brick @petersentegl

24th Jan 2023

Southgate Road