Townhouse Refurbishments incorporating ASHP, Solar PV and Battery Storage
forresterarchitects specialises in eco-retrofit townhouses that improve the energy performance, comfort and long-term usability of existing homes without losing their architectural character. Our approach is to consider the building as a whole, combining fabric-first improvements with appropriate low-energy systems such as air source heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage. With 25 years’ experience working with London period houses and townhouses, we look for practical ways to reduce energy demand while creating better homes.
The Air Source Heat Pump Townhouse in Hackney combines a full house refurbishment with an air source heat pump and alternative energy strategies, while the Mezzanine Refurbishment in Stoke Newington uses a significant internal reconfiguration to improve both the quality of the living space and the thermal performance of the house.
Scroll down for a selection of some completed projects.
London townhouses often have generous proportions and strong architectural character, but their original layouts and construction can make them difficult to adapt to contemporary living. forresterarchitects works with these existing buildings to improve circulation, daylight, connections to the garden and energy performance, while retaining the qualities that make each house distinctive. Extensions, building conservation and internal reconfiguration are considered together rather than as a separate intervention.
Our Full House Refurbishment in Belsize Park demonstrates how an existing townhouse can be comprehensively remodelled while retaining its period character. In Stoke Newington, the London Roof Extension transforms the typical terrace house by flipping the floor-plan to provide the dining room to the front bay with the lounge overlooking the garden to the rear with the kitchen connecting them in the middle.
Scroll down for a selection of some completed projects.
Working with any building requires a balance between conservation and the demands of contemporary living. forresterarchitects has extensive experience working with period townhouses, conservation areas and listed properties, developing proposals that respond to the character, materials and proportions of the building while making appropriate improvements to its use and performance. We assist with the planning and listed building consent process.
Our Listed Refurbishment in Islington combines the sensitive refurbishment of a period townhouse with improvements to its internal layout, while the Conservation Area Townhouse in Southwark demonstrates how a historic property can be adapted for modern family life without losing its architectural identity.
Scroll down for a selection of some completed projects.
Commercial Retail and Boutique Shop Refurbishments
We provide architectural services for small commercial, retail and workplace refurbishment projects, from the adaptation of existing buildings to the creation of more distinctive bespoke retail environments. Our experience includes refurbishment, building conversion, extensions and interventions to existing commercial properties.
Projects such as the Loft Office Refurbishment in Clerkenwell demonstrate how an existing building can be converted to provide a contemporary workplace, while the Timber Framed Roof Canopy on Dalston Lane shows how an under-utilised roof space can become a commercial asset through the introduction of a roof terrace, planting and improved daylight.
Scroll down for a selection of some completed projects.
We are interested in the relationship between architecture, landscape, daylight and energy performance, with low-energy design considered from the beginning of the project. When appropriate, all homes can incorporate high levels of insulation, renewable energy and passive design principles to reduce energy demand over their lifetime.
Our Passive House/Passivhaus project in the Norfolk Broads explores a highly energy-efficient approach to a new-build house within a sensitive landscape, while the Interlocking New-Build Houses in Hackney demonstrates a more urban response, using the constraints of a landlocked London plot to create a series of interconnected homes. Together they illustrate the different opportunities for new housing by forresterarchitects.
Scroll down for a selection of some completed projects.
Every project is a challenge. Every solution the result of working towards a balance for living, working and the environment. We are London based architects specialising in house renovation and low-energy retrofit.
‘We didn’t know exactly what we wanted, but we did know we wanted to start with the inside and work outward.’
A full or partial architectural service can be provided depending on your requirements.
25 years transforming period houses, townhouses and listed properties across London.
Our architectural services are described briefly below.
Each icon represents a description of the architectural services you can expect from the inception of a new-build house or residential & commercial building refurbishment or extension through to project completion.
Depending on your project we can fine tune the most appropriate level of architectural services to suit your requirements.
Click on an icon to give a brief indication of each work-stage.
We will identify and incorporate the requirements of your brief into the design
We will prepare design feasibility studies and cost analysis to enable you to proceed with confidence
Architectural Services
From the outset we discuss and review the client’s requirements
We provide a variety of services to meet your individual requirements
Our services, responsibilities and fees are defined on the Services and Fee Schedule
Architect’s Appointment
We provide the technical and production information necessary in the preparation of tender costing documentation
We obtain and appraise tender cost submissions from building contractors and provide recommendations to clients
We assist, identify and evaluate potential building contractors for the project works
Services Before Construction
We advise and prepare appropriate building contracts for the project works
We advise of the appointment of your preferred building contractor
We prepare and issue technical and production information
During Construction
We provide contract administration throughout the building works
During construction we will inspect the works and certify appropriate payments to the building contractor
We will certify and issue practical completion for the project works
Works to Completion (Contract Administration)
We prepare drawings for Landlord and Freeholder approval
We advise on and prepare Planning Appeals
We prepare drawings for measured surveys
We provide services in connection with Party Wall negotiations
Other Architectural Services
Our Experience
Our professional experience has been gained from involvement in a selection of significant architectural new build houses, residential & commercial building refurbishment projects in London over the past 25 years…
Do contact us if you are considering a potential new-build house or building refurbishment project and would like to talk to an architect. We would be pleased to discuss your thoughts and requirements further.