THE BLOG

16
Jun

A duplex penthouse to a second penthouse in St Johns Wood.

Duplex Penthouse | Architects for Westminster | St John’s Wood, North West London

forresterarchitects have successfully completed the refurbishment of a duplex penthouse in St. John’s Wood, North West London, the second penthouse in a prestigious development for the same client. The new apartment required a fresh approach to enliven the space and make it a desirable investment property.

forresterarchitects opted for a simple, muted palette to suit the client’s taste, which creates a calming atmosphere and allows the apartment’s luxury features to shine. An open plan configuration was retained from the previous refurbishment, which maximizes the sense of space and natural light in the apartment. In contrast to the previous Rococo interior, the new design features a sleek, modern aesthetic that provides a sense of vitality to the apartment. This is achieved through the use of clean lines, minimalist detailing, and contemporary finishes. The result is a sophisticated and stylish living space that will appeal to a wide range of potential buyers or renters. The duplex layout of the apartment offers a sense of privacy and separation between the living and sleeping areas. The upper level features a master suite with a spacious bedroom, dressing area, and ensuite bathroom, while the lower level includes a second bedroom and bathroom, along with an open plan living, dining, and kitchen area.

Overall, forresterarchitects have once again demonstrated their expertise in creating stylish and functional living spaces that meet the needs of their clients. The new duplex penthouse in St. John’s Wood is a testament to their skill and creativity, offering a sleek and modern living space that is both luxurious and practical. forresterarchitects have successfully created a beautiful and functional living space that is sure to be a desirable investment property for years to come.

04
May

An new feature wall to an Art Deco flat.

 Art Deco Refurbishment | Architects for Wandsworth | Balham, South West London

forresterarchitects have completed a stunning refurbishment of a third-floor Art Deco flat located in a prestigious mansion block in Balham, South West London. The flat’s existing configuration was largely functional but presented some issues that needed to be resolved, and were tasked with finding solutions that would improve the space’s functionality and aesthetic appeal.

One of the key features of the new design is a striking feature wall that provides a central focus for the flat. This wall can be easily circumnavigated to access the new kitchen layout and the reconfigured bathrooms, which were a priority for the client. The wall is not only a visually striking element of the design but also helps to divide the space into different zones, providing a sense of privacy and separation where needed. forresterarchitects worked closely with the client to create a new layout that would maximise the flat’s potential and address the issues that had been identified. The new design is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, with a contemporary feel that complements the Art Deco features of the building.

 The project has breathed new life into the flat, and the addition of the feature wall provides a striking focal point that adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the design. The new layout also offers improved functionality, making the flat more practical and user-friendly for its occupants. The Art Deco flat in Balham now offers a perfect balance of style and functionality, providing its occupants with a beautiful and practical home that meets all of their needs.

29
Apr

A simpler solution for a rear extension on Ladbroke Grove in the Oxford Conservation Area.

Rear Extension | Architects for Kensington & Chelsea | Oxford Conservation Area, West London

forresterarchitects has recently completed a design feasibility study for a property in Ladbroke Grove, West London. The client, who is a close neighbour to one forresterarchitects previous projects, Barlby, is seeking a rear extension for their property. The client’s father, who is a retired architect, had a clear vision for the project.

The proposed rear extension is a sleek and simple design, providing an alternative solution to the typical rear garden extension. The design is subtle and considered, blending seamlessly with the existing architecture of the property. Despite the proposal potential considered under Permitted Development Rights, planning permission is required due to the property’s location within the Oxford Conservation Area. The rear extension will feature a large open plan kitchen with full-width sliding doors, offering plenty of natural light and providing a seamless connection to the garden. The design also includes a dedicated silversmiths studio for the client, who works from home. A glazed roof-light runs the entire length of the side infill extension, allowing natural daylight to penetrate deep into the main body of the house. forresterarchitects expertise in working within conservation areas ensures that the proposed design meets all the necessary planning regulations while still providing a contemporary and functional living space for the client. forresterarchitects attention to detail and commitment to quality design is evident in every aspect of the proposed rear extension.

Overall, the proposed rear extension in Ladbroke Grove is an excellent example of forresterarchitects ability to blend contemporary design with traditional architecture, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing living space. forresterarchitects attention to detail and expertise in working within conservation areas ensures that the proposed design meets all the necessary planning constraints while still providing a contemporary and functional living space for the client.

18
Mar

Buying a Victorian workshop for your new office space? Add two floors of apartments to fund the mixed use redevelopment.

Mixed Use Development | Architects for Islington | Clerkenwell, East Central London

Forrester Architects is a London-based architectural practice that has recently submitted a design feasibility study for a mixed use development project in the bustling Soho district. The project aims to provide a new, dynamic headquarters for a media company looking to expand its business operations.

The proposed development will involve the refurbishment of an existing building to meet the media company’s growing needs, with the addition of two new private residential floors that will provide additional income to fund the project. forresterarchitects expertise in architectural design for mixed-use properties makes them well-suited to handle this project, which seeks to create a space that meets both commercial and residential needs. forresterarchitects specialise in designing mixed-use properties in Islington, Clerkenwell, and East Central London. Their experience in this field is evident in the proposed development, which takes into account the unique challenges of building in the densely populated and highly competitive Soho district. forresterarchitects design feasibility study is a testament to their commitment to creating spaces that are both functional and visually appealing, while also addressing the needs of their clients. The media company’s new headquarters will be a vibrant addition to the Soho district, providing much-needed space for business operations while also contributing to the local community by adding new residential units. The addition of private residential floors will not only provide additional income to fund the project but will also help to address the ongoing housing crisis in London.

Overall, Forrester Architects’ proposed development is a well-conceived and thoughtful response to the unique needs of a media company looking to establish a new headquarters in one of London’s most vibrant districts. Their expertise in designing mixed-use properties in Islington, Clerkenwell, and East Central London will undoubtedly serve them well as they navigate the complexities of this exciting project.

14
Feb

A double height lounge created within a mews house refurbishment in the Eton Conservation Area.

Mews House RefurbishmentArchitects for Camden | Belsize Park, North West London

forresterarchitects have submitted a design feasibility study for a mews house refurbishment in the Eton Conservation Area, Belsize Park in North West London.
 
The house is currently configured as an unremarkable two bedroom house. It is dated and has not been refurbished since it was originally built in the 1970’s. The bedrooms are long and badly proportioned. The window is mean and internally the natural daylighting is poor.
 
Each mews house was originally configured with an integral garage space next to the front door. Over time the planning department has allowed the removal of the garage space. All the other mews houses have over time converted their garage into a bedroom or lounge space to improve the layout of the house. The courtyard to the front of the Mews is now everyone’s preferred car parking space. This was our client’s initial need but there were other opportunities
 
The house is arranged over three floors. The kitchen as originally intended will remain on the ground floor. A small under stair WC will be removed to create an open floor plan layout between the new bedroom and kitchen. The kitchen will be re-planned to engage more directly with the small courtyard garden which enjoys a bright south facing aspectA long established ivy covers the garden courtyard and provides a wonderful secret garden to the rear of the house. The lounge windows overlooking the garden are to be enlarged to take advantage of the fine views overlooking Primrose Hill.
 
The upper floors accommodate a lounge and the other two bedrooms. As part of the refurbishment, each bedroom is re-planned with an ensuite. The small lounge is improved by a double height lounge space with the structural rafters of the roof exposed. The timber rafters compliment a new feature staircase which rises within the double height space. A bespoke timber screen offers varying levels of privacy between the bedroom and lounge.