Hammersmith and Fulham architects

Hammersmith and Fulham architects

If you are seeking Hammersmith and Fulham architects, we’d be delighted to assist. Architecture for London is an RIBA Chartered Practice with several completed house extensions in Hammersmith & Fulham, including on listed properties and those in conservation areas. For more information, see our recent planning approvals in the borough.

Architecture for London is an RIBA Chartered Practice. View our project portfolio, or if you would like to discuss improvements to your property, please contact us.

“AFL’s management of the project has been exemplary. Their knowledge and incorporation of sustainable elements in the process, as well as careful choice of materials and colour palette, have worked well with our plan.” – Killian, Brook Green W6

Our kitchen extension to a Georgian mews house

At Caithness Road in Brook Green, we designed an extension and full renovation of a Victorian house. A fully glazed upper ground floor extension brings an abundance of natural light into the new space. A section of the upper ground floor plate was removed to create a large double height area in the kitchen extension below. Floor to ceiling oak sliding doors form flexible partitions that allow the reception rooms to be either used as an open plan space or divided for privacy.

At Hammersmith House, we completed a full refurbishment whilst extending into the loft and to the rear at lower ground floor. The concrete rear extension is complemented by a beautifully planted courtyard rear garden.

Our Hammersmith and Fulham architects work in all areas of the borough. This includes in Ravenscourt Park and Brook Green W6, Parsons Green, Fulham and West Brompton SW6, West Kensington W14 and Shepherd’s Bush W12.

Hammersmith Grove

At Hammersmith Grove, W6, we achieved consent for a conversion of the first, second and third floors to form three flats. Also approved was an associated front and rear roof extension with an increase in ridge height. Further minor alterations included improving the rear windows and replacing a rear spiral staircase. We also inserted a new cycle store in the front garden. All of these alterations were approved within a conservation area.

Fitzneal Street

At Fitzneal Street, W12, we received consent in a conservation area for residential alterations including the installation of a rain shelter canopy to the rear entrance of the property.

Our refurbishment of a neo-Georgian house in a conservation area

Caithness Road

At our second project on Caithness Road, we achieved planning for a rear extension at first floor level, on top of an existing back addition. Also approved was a single storey rear extension, to the side and rear at ground floor, and the installation of a new window at second floor.

Hammersmith and Fulham Planning Guidance

In Hammersmith and Fulham’s SPD, Housing Policies 6, 7 and 8 contain helpful guidance on residential projects including rear extensions. Some key items to note are:

• The council will consider rear extension applications in the context of the existing established rear building lines in a terrace.
• Rear extensions must be no longer than 3.5 metres from the original rear wall of the house.
• Side return extensions may not extend above a height of two metres at the boundary with the adjacent house.
• Planning permission will not be granted for roof terraces or balconies if their use is likely to cause a nuisance to existing neighbours.

Our master bathroom in oak and marble

It is worth noting that, in some cases, homes can be extended to greater dimensions under permitted development rights.

Basements are covered in the SPD Housing Policy 9, and key considerations are as follows:

• A basement Construction Method Statement must be submitted with the planning application. This should be produced by an appropriately qualified structural engineer.
• Any basement development in Hammersmith and Fulham must not increase the risk of flooding. Proposals should also meet existing guidance in relation to light wells.

New timber and concrete stair at Caithness Road, Hammersmith & Fulham

If you are seeking Hammersmith and Fulham architects, we’d be delighted to assist. Please contact us or view our portfolio of recent residential projects.

Conservation area guidance

The borough has 44 designated conservation areas, where streets often feature consistent terraces of uniform architectural design. It is key that any new development or external alterations should contribute positively to the townscape and visual quality of the area. Proposals should “achieve a harmonious relationship with its neighbours to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area”.

Extensions

Extensions should never dominate the main building and should meet the policies in the SPD on Housing Quality. The provision of garden space, the extensions’ proportions and design quality are key.

The size of rear and side extensions should have regard to existing building patterns within a conservation area. They should respect the symmetry of original additions in terraces. The design and materials of such extensions should integrate successfully with the host building and its neighbours.

Proposed kitchen at Hammersmith House, W14

Rear roof extensions should be sympathetic, and they should be designed sensitively if they are visible from the street or from neighbouring properties. Increasing the ridge height is generally considered to be unacceptable. This is particularly true if it would harm the uniformity of a terrace or the proportions of a building.

Sustainability measures

Energy efficiency technologies such as heat pumps must be sensitively designed. They must also be situated to limit their visual impact on heritage assets.

Architectural detail

Original architectural features such as timber sash or casement windows, front doors, stucco render, moulded window and door surrounds, and historic shopfronts should be maintained.

The local authority will require applications in a conservation area to be in sufficient detail. This is to assess the impact on the character and appearance of the adjoining buildings, street scene and the conservation area as a whole. For this reason, we’d recommend a detailed measured survey be undertaken at the start of your project. This survey should also show the context of neighbouring properties in detail.

Project architects: Ben Ridley, Amrit Marway

If you are seeking Hammersmith and Fulham architects, we’d be delighted to assist. View our portfolio of recent residential projects.