An ambitious townhouse refurbishment has reconfigured the conventional London townhouse hierarchy for modern living by incorporating an Air Source Heat Pump for a sustainable future.
The London townhouse has some issues with its thermal performance, and with the client we were determined to address them through this refurbishment. As energy costs continue to rise, the project is an opportunity to reevaluate the house’s thermal efficiency and steer clear of relying on a gas combination boiler.
Ensuring a sustainable future is of utmost importance to them, so they’re keen on making their house as energy efficient as possible. The focal point of their day to day life will be a spacious open plan lower ground floor. It will provide a bright and airy environment, centred around the kitchen, lounge and dining room extension.
To create this wonderful space, the kitchen is located centrally in a stunning double-height area, achieved by removing part of the raised ground floor. A new mezzanine leads to a unique metal staircase leading down to the new bespoke Danish made kitchen units, dining room, and extension. The new rear extension is constructed with highly insulated timber framed construction. A distinctive pyramidal shape provide a visual interesting roof that leads to a large glazed top light, allowing unobstructed views of the sky. Beyond the new extension, a new garden studio provides a dedicated workspace. It utilises the same highly insulated timber framed construction as the extension, ensuring energy efficiency is maintained throughout all the new elements of the home.
To the top floor the existing roof has been completely rebuilt with a new rear dormer conversion, improving the insulation of both the roof and walls to the highest standards while preserving the floor space. Each bedroom is equipped with custom-made wardrobes that cleverly utilise the generous roof void space. To reduce their reliance on electricity, solar PV panels have been mounted on the large dormer roof conversion. These panels contribute to the sustainable energy strategy and lessen the environmental impact of the house as a whole.
A fine mansion block flat conversion is the same as it was when it was purchased the early 2000’s. It’s time for a full refurbishment and there is the potential to provide a roof terrace accessed from the kitchen over the communal porch. With a couple of minor interventions there is an opportunity to improve the living environment of the mansion block refurbishment with terrace. The concept is based on the notion that the treatment of the core (bathroom and kitchen) will provide the basis of an architectural narrative for the refurbishment as a whole. With the potential to provide a private roof top terrace space there is great potential to enliven the aspect of the flat. A modest kitchen will be split to provide a galley configuration to allow easy access to the new terrace space.
A newly acquired duplex loft apartment provides the setting for a new concert room loft in North London. An extensive refurbishment involves remodelling the entire space to provide a personal venue for concerts and recitals. The double height gabled roof-space will be enlivened by revealing the existing king post trusses which provide a striking architectural back-drop to the main room. A curved open treaded stair leads from the mezzanine bar area which overlooks the concert room. Beyond the mezzanine, there is of course a green room for the guest performers. A number of ancillary spaces provide for food preparation and an extensive wine cellar to entertain.
Forrester architects have breathed new life into a London duplex loft in North London with the addition of a north-facing skylight. This new aspect the bedroom floods the room with natural light. The new skylight not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the loft but also creates a sense of openness and airiness. The loft is perfectly located for easy access to the rail and tube network. The refurbishment aims to revitalise the property and realise its full potential. Acoustic floor separation will be added and extensive under-eaves storage spaces will be fully utilised. A simple palette will be adopted to reflect light and avoid clutter and provide a luminous and inviting sanctuary in the heart of the city.
With its enduring charm, the structure and form tells a story of a bygone era. We aim to provide a considered refurbishment that will provide a home that offers a blend of charm and sensitive interior styling. The building reflects the prevailing styles of the early 20th century, embracing elements of Edwardian or Victorian design. Featuring a fine redbrick with terracotta and shaped gables, the architectural details capture the essence of a historical era, creating a unique character for this residence in Belsize Park.
An artist’s studio is the neighbouring project
A little light relief. A glimpse of the ceiling to a double height gallery space to a London townhouse is part of our latest full house refurbishment. An Air Source Heat Pump has replaced the gas boiler and dormer mounted solar panels contribute to the client’s responsive and sustainable energy solution. A very welcome government grant of £7,500 is in the post.
An inclined exposed timber roof structure informs the interior and extends outside to form a garden pergola extension to the South-facing terrace in East Ham. As well as providing a passive solar shading device to the interior the rafters create a wonderful shaded terrace overlooking the garden. A slight offset to the rafter lines informs the pergola orientation to shade the interior from the sun path, which align with the wide boarded engineered timber floorboards to provide a visually interesting interior.
The client’s character informs the interior with a distinctly retro style with a touch of the Scandinavian influence complimenting a way of living, pairing its minimalist form with affordability. Add to that distinctive mid-century modernist furniture provides simple lines and natural materials to offer natural warmth across the interior.