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Architecture for London
3-5 Bleeding Heart Yard
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020 3637 4236

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.

5th Apr 2022

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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 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…

10th Oct 2020

Planning Use Classes update in 2020 Readmore

The Use Classes Order places uses of land and buildings into various categories called ‘Use Classes’. The following list indicates types of use which may fall within each use class. Some changes of use of a building or land do require planning approval, but often a change of use of a building or land does not need planning permission where the proposed use is similar to the existing…

23rd Aug 2020

Offsite manufacturing & modular construction Readmore

OSM and modular construction are approaches to building where components are manufactured off-site, then delivered and assembled on site. Components typically include wall, roof or floor panels or even complete rooms. Whilst these construction methods have historically been used widely on larger scale projects, OSM processes and technologies have now developed and are becoming cost-effective, therefore being suitable for use on smaller developments and even single home residential schemes…

20th Jul 2020

The cost of a planning application Readmore

Planning application costs can vary substantially depending on the nature of the consent sought. This article explains the costs of each type of application and also outlines project-specific consultant fees…

16th Jul 2020

Listed Building Consent in London Readmore

A ‘listed building’ is a building or structure that is of national importance due to its architectural or historic interest. It is included on a special register: the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest…

12th Apr 2020

EnerPHit refurbishment: how to make a London house energy efficient Readmore

Our existing housing stock poses a challenge as we nationally aim towards the ‘2050 net-zero’ carbon emissions target, which aims to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees. The buildings we refurbish now are not likely to be refurbished again before 2050, so they must achieve net zero standards now. This net zero goal can be […]

5th Feb 2020

What is a Construction Phase Plan? Readmore

A construction phase plan (CPP) is part of the process of mitigating risk and issues that may arise in construction projects. It helps the contractor prepare for correct health and safety procedures to be followed on site. View our projects page to see our recent work, or contact us on 020 3637 4236 to discuss your project. By […]

25th Nov 2019

Net zero: sustainability in the construction industry Readmore

Architects, engineers, builders and other professionals within the built environment have been working under the banner of progressive sustainability for some time now – but we have done just that: sustained and maintained the status quo. The construction industry now desperately needs to achieve net zero. To remain on the current trajectory, where lip-service is […]

30th Aug 2019

How to start a cohousing group Readmore

This article discusses how to start a cohousing group, from deciding your values and community type at the outset, to assessing the funding available and finding land. Cohousing is a method of creating new homes based on values determined by the future residents to establish a certain way of life. By focusing on the specific […]

15th Aug 2019

Planning performance agreements Readmore

A planning performance agreement (PPA) is a tool used by the local planning authority (LPA) to help manage planning applications. They are typically used for major applications, which are larger scale or more complex projects, although they may also be suitable for simpler projects in some cases. The PPA is a formal framework agreement between […]

25th Jun 2019

Architect’s Services Readmore

Architect’s services can vary significantly depending on the size and type of project and the specific requirements of the client. This article outlines all of the architectural services provided by Architecture for London. For private residential work such as house extensions, an architect’s role can cover all areas of the project, from briefing to contract […]

14th May 2019

North London House in Domus and DMI awards Readmore

Our maisonette extension and refurbishment in north London has been featured in several blogs and exhibitions this month, including Domus, Leibal, Afasia and the Don’t Move Improve 2019 awards. The project was for boutique stationer Neil and graphic designer Mark. The property was reconfigured and extended, and a rear toilet block demolished to create a series […]

5th May 2019

Permitted development for house extensions Readmore

When extending your home its often assumed that you will need planning consent. However, not all development requires planning permission. In some instances, extensions are allowed under national permitted development rights. This article discusses the benefits of designing a house extension that complies with permitted development (PD) legislation, as an alternative to seeking planning consent. Rather […]

27th Apr 2019

Basement extensions: an architect’s advice Readmore

This article highlights the key considerations when undertaking a basement extension project, from appointing an architect to designing the spaces and gaining planning consents. A basement extension can create new rooms with unique qualities. From an architectural perspective, subterranean spaces may not be perfect for a kitchen or dining room due to reduced natural light and views. […]

27th Apr 2019

Holland Park House Readmore

This house lies on a mid-century modern estate in Holland Park by celebrated architects Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew. Built in 1966, the estate features red brick terraces with integrated garages and generous communal gardens. View Architecture for London’s portfolio of recent residential projects. The project included a rear extension in matching brick, internal refurbishment […]

22nd Apr 2019

Architects near me Readmore

When trying to find a suitable design firm, many people search online for ‘architects near me’ to find a practice that is close to their property or site. A location-based search may be a sensible approach for smaller projects where the design requirements are relatively straightforward. Such projects might include a modest extension to an […]

1st Apr 2019

Basement extension costs in London Readmore

Basement extension costs in London typically start at around £4,000 per square metre plus VAT. This figure will vary depending on various factors, including the site make-up, the relative location of neighbouring properties, and the proposed use of the building. For very high specification projects on difficult sites, basement extension costs in London may reach […]

26th Feb 2019

Hackney Terrace Readmore

Hackney Terrace is a proposal for the Peabody Trust, with a series of dwellings in East London conceived as a ‘miniature terrace’. The site is a narrow strip of land behind a Victorian terrace, currently occupied by garages. View Architecture for London’s portfolio of recent residential projects. The front elevation of each proposed house is […]

20th Feb 2019

London architecture firms Readmore

The mix of culture, heritage, rules and regulations in London’s built environment makes our city one of the most challenging locations to purchase the right property, obtain planning permission and build your dream home. This article highlights the benefits of using London architecture firms and explains the importance of looking for local experience when selecting […]