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

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15th Jan 2019

Conservation areas: achieving planning consent Readmore

Conservation areas are places that are deemed to be of special architectural or historic interest, and they require management to protect their specific character. Every local authority in England has at least one conservation area….

8th Jan 2019

New cohousing scheme in Aylesbury Readmore

Architecture for London has been appointed to design a cohousing scheme in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The development will create ten sustainable new homes with a carbon-negative cross laminated timber structure, built to passivhaus standards. Our architectural approach is inspired by George Devey, an architect working in Aylesbury in the Victorian period. Devey favoured a romantic style, […]

6th Jan 2019

Kitchen extensions – a complete guide Readmore

Kitchen extensions are a valuable way to improve your home, both for you and your family’s enjoyment and for potential resale in future. Current lifestyles generally call for more open plan living, connections to outdoor spaces and a greater feeling of space and light…

5th Jan 2019

Loft conversion costs Readmore

Loft conversions create additional habitable rooms in your home. These can be ideal for a new bedroom, playroom, home cinema or bathroom. This article discusses loft conversion costs in London and highlights the various design options available. Many properties in the UK are suitable for loft conversions. Often the changes do not require planning permission as […]

23rd Dec 2018

Small architecture firms Readmore

Large or small? If you are looking for an architect, you may be wondering which direction to take. There are many different sizes of firms, each catering to different types or sizes of project. So how do you know which option is for you…

26th Nov 2018

How much does a side return extension cost in London? Readmore

Many of London’s 19th and early 20th century properties have an original brick ‘extension’ to the rear. These are particularly common on terraced and semi-detached properties. A side return extension infills the space to the side of the original ‘extension’ and is one of the most popular ways of improving and extending your home…

12th Nov 2018

What is a feasibility study? Readmore

If challenges are found early, they don’t remain challenging for long. Through a process of mapping options, risks, challenges and opportunities – developers can ensure that a scheme is viable and appealing to the market. The feasibility study is a key part of this process. This article provides an overview of feasibility studies and their […]

4th Nov 2018

The RIBA Plan of Work 2020 Readmore

The RIBA Plan of Work is a document that outlines all stages in a building project, from conception to realisation in built form. The plan is written for, and used by architects. As a consequence, it may not be easily digestible for all clients. This introductory guide to the stages of work will help you navigate the document. It aims to explain the involvement…

18th Sep 2018

Find an architect Readmore

Finding a list of potential architects is often the first step in the journey of a building project. This journey can be a long one, with a relationship that will last for a year or more, and will involve significant cost. Taking time to find the right practice is, therefore, a worthwhile investment. Various approaches are available to help you find an architect, these include…

14th Sep 2018

House extension ideas in London Readmore

This article explores house extension ideas for London properties. The chosen approach will very much depend on your aspirations, your style and the design of the existing house. Many of the options are explored below, with illustrated examples from Architecture for London’s house extension projects. As a first step, it is a good idea to create your own mood board of house extension ideas using sites like Pinterest….

14th May 2018

How much does it cost to build a house in the UK in 2021? 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…

27th Apr 2018

Hackney Housing Readmore

This Hackney Housing scheme extends and renovates an early 20th century warehouse in east London. The building had previously been occupied by a joinery workshop and artists’ studios. Belsham Street is adjacent to Hackney Walk, a borough-led reinvention of the neighbourhood as a high-end retail destination. View Architecture for London’s portfolio of recent residential projects. […]

17th Mar 2018

GLA Small Sites housing Readmore

Architecture for London have submitted a bid for one of the GLA’s ‘Small Sites’ in north London. Our submission was a six home scheme at Long Lane in the Borough of Barnet. The proposal is for a co-housing development built to Passivhaus standards, this will be a first for co-housing in London…

17th Mar 2018

Hackney House extension Readmore

This project is an extension and renovation of a Grade II listed Georgian house on Cassland Road in Hackney. The house is within a grand terrace, built in the late 18th century. The terrace suggests a single large country house with a central pediment that has garlands and a coat of arms. Original details to the front […]

10th Feb 2018

Sustainable concrete: ultra-thin casting tests Readmore

This research post is a record of our explorations in ultra-thin polished sustainable concrete structures. The aim was to develop a material that would reduce the mass of concrete required for both surfaces and volumes. Concrete has been identified as producing 8% of the worlds CO2 emissions (BBC, 2016). However, this is mostly due to […]

6th Feb 2018

Finding land to build a house Readmore

For all self-builders, finding land is the first step towards the dream to build. Whether the plot is a gap in an urban terrace or former farmland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the challenges to bring a new house into being are numerous. With the best team in place, the results can be rewarding beyond the financial investment…

22nd Dec 2017

House extension in Kensington & Chelsea Readmore

We have completed a house extension and refurbishment in the Woodford Square estate, in the borough of Kensington & Chelsea. The estate was built in the 1960’s to designs by Fry, Drew & Partners, and features red brick terraces surrounded by landscaped, tree lined gardens…

14th Dec 2017

Developing London’s outer boroughs Readmore

The extraordinary growth in property values in our city is a reflection of the current demand, and this has created affordability problems for many would be homeowners and renters. Developing London’s outer boroughs will be key in addressing…

12th Dec 2017

Stroud Green extension Readmore

Architecture for London has completed an initial design session for a house extension in Stroud Green. The property is a mid-terrace, brick built late-Victorian house on Mount Pleasant Villas. The house currently has generous proportions to all rooms…

3rd Dec 2017

Can cohousing work for London? Readmore

As architects, we believe that a quality-focussed housing revolution is required in London. Homes should be designed principally to support our own wellbeing, and furthermore, there should be choice in the marketplace to accommodate…

29th Nov 2017

Autumn Budget: developing small sites Readmore

In his recent Autumn Budget speech, the chancellor announced a review to look at the gap between planning permissions and housing starts. In London alone, there are 270,000 residential planning permissions…

2nd Nov 2017

Rewilding London Readmore

The 211 hectares of Walthamstow Reservoirs has recently been upgraded to encourage wildlife and provide access for visitors. Relaunched as Walthamstow Wetlands, the project opens up a unique area of industrial London…

20th Oct 2017

Town-House exhibition Readmore

We are pleased to announce Town-House, an exhibition in association with New London Architecture. Born out of the rapid population growth and radial expansion of the capital during the Georgian…

8th Oct 2017

Fitzrovia listed building extension Readmore

Architecture for London has completed a deep remodelling and extension of a listed building in Fitzrovia, originally built in 1798. The renovated Georgian house carefully balances the retained historic fabric in the original main house with modern living spaces to the rear. A large three-storey rear extension was created, with generous terrace space, a new master bedroom […]

8th Sep 2017

Garden villages: a vision of housing? Readmore

Last July the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs stated that 300,000 homes are required each year to meet demand and address the housing crisis. In this month’s headlines the government approved 14 new ‘garden villages’…

6th Sep 2017

Side return extensions Readmore

Side return extensions are a popular way of increasing the size of Victorian and Edwardian houses in London. These properties often feature an original rear extension or ‘outrigger’ behind the main house, typically of two storeys…

1st Sep 2017

Permission in Principle (PiP) Readmore

The current planning approach to brownfield sites with potential for housing is complex and often costly. This means that outline planning is normally applied for at some risk…

24th Aug 2017

Clapton house extension Readmore

Architecture for London has completed an initial design session at an early Victorian terraced house in Clapton, east London. The house will be extended into the side return to create a large open plan kitchen and dining space…

11th Aug 2017

Housing White Paper: a digital platform? Readmore

Much of the discussion in the recently released ‘Housing White Paper’ was around the support for new homes. Although generally considered a small step, we welcome for example, the £45 million Land Release Fund…

18th Jul 2017

Silver-Smithy competition entry Readmore

‘Silver-Smithy’ is a collection of new workspaces for The GLA and the London Borough of Newham. Our shortlisted competition entry proposes units inspired by the ethos of training and apprenticeships in traditional smithy workshops. Individual smithies are grouped into clusters with experienced master makers and apprentices from the Silvertown area. Experienced makers become creative leaders […]