Category: House Refurbishment

11
Feb

Concert Room to a duplex loft refurbishment

Concert Room | Architects for Hampstead | forrester architects

A newly acquired duplex loft apartment provides the setting for a new concert room 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.

11
Jan

A London loft is revitalised with a North Facing skylight

London Loft | Architects for Finsbury | forrester architects

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.

01
Dec

Our second project on one of London’s finest streets.

Interior Renovation | Architects for Belsize Park | forrester architects

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

27
Nov

A little light relief to a double height gallery space in a London townhouse

Refurbishment with ASHP | Architects for Hackney | forrester architects

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.

30
Aug

Not! Another Side Extension.

Landscaped Garden Room | Architects for Islington | forrester architects

Our No Side Extension left such an impression on one of our neighbours that they decided to follow suit. Remaining distinctive, a full-width rear extension is avoided. The main objective remained: forge a stronger connection to the garden and capitalise on the expansive sky views afforded by the elongated rear gardens. A thoughtfully landscaped garden now serves as a visual link from the kitchen space.

The addition of a new bay window allows for carefully framed views of the garden and its surroundings. The proposition not only preserves the character of the existing building but also crafts a one-of-a-kind design solution that bridges the interior and exterior space. The delicate balance between transparency and privacy ensures that the space is not only bright and airy but also highly functional.

forresterarchitects have not just met the client’s needs but also elevated the distinctive character of the original building. The outcome is a space that harmoniously combines functionality and beauty.

31
Oct

A garden pergola extension informed by the client’s style

Timber Roof Extension | Architects for Newham | East Ham, East London

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.

 

 
30
Sep

An open fire box provides a new hearth to a Southwark townhouse

Grade II Refurbishment | Architects for Southwark | forrester architects

forresterarchitects recently completed a full refurbishment of a Grade II listed townhouse located in the West Square Conservation Area in South East London. The project included an interesting addition to the dining room, where the traditional fire and hearth were replaced with an open flame rotisserie.

The refurbishment aimed to retain the original charm and character of the townhouse, while enhancing the kitchen and dining space located on the lower ground floor. This area was limited in natural daylight, so the forresterarchitects had to carefully consider the materials used and the placement of features to make the most of reflected light. The addition of the open flame rotisserie to the dining room created an informal and entertaining heart of the house. The new kitchen and dining space were designed to be more appropriate for modern living, as many townhouse kitchens are too small or poorly configured. forresterarchitects took a considered approach to material choice, selecting materials that would complement the existing features of the townhouse while contributing to the desired atmosphere of the space. The result is a tasteful and practical design that maintains the townhouse’s original character while improving its functionality.

The project retains the original charm and character of the property, while enhancing the kitchen and dining space to create an inviting and functional heart of the house. Thoughtful material selection and attention to detail has resulted in a practical and beautiful space that will be enjoyed for years to come.

17
Jul

An open kitchen garden with a view of the pond

Kitchen Garden Room | Architect for Archway | forrester architects

forresterarchitects have created a unique solution for a kitchen garden room in Archway, North London. Rather than a full-width rear extension, a single pier from the existing rear outrigger wall construction was retained, resulting in a space that provides a balance between transparency and privacy for the house, garden, and neighbors. The aim was to create a better connection to the garden and take advantage of the large areas of sky provided by the long rear gardens, resulting in a solution that avoids the need for a large voluminous extension.

The existing bay window and French doors were removed from the rear, allowing large framed views of the garden pond and beyond to be provided to the newly reconfigured ground floor plan. The design creates a unique architectural solution that respects the existing building’s character and provides a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces. The balance between transparency and privacy ensures that the space is bright and airy while still being functional.

The kitchen garden room is an example of how a thoughtful and considered design can provide a unique and innovative solution to a common problem. By working with the existing structure and taking advantage of the surrounding environment, forresterarchitects have created a space that meets the client’s needs while enhancing the existing building’s character. The result is a space that is functional, beautiful, and a perfect example of how good design can enhance our daily lives.

20
Mar

A Surrey cottage is a perfect home from home

Period Cottage Refurbishment | Architect for Surrey | forrester architects

forresterarchitects have recently completed an extensive refurbishment project for a period cottage in Surrey, which was previously divided into two. The client’s brief was to retain the traditional features of the property while upgrading the five bedrooms with new bathrooms. forresterarchitects created a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the main reception room with two back-to-back open fireplaces and a new antique parquet floor. The family rooms were also connected through this floor, providing a seamless transition between spaces.

In the rear section of the property, an open-plan layout was introduced, connecting the family and garden rooms to the large island kitchen. This has provided a comfortable and spacious area for the family to gather, relax and entertain guests. The kitchen features state-of-the-art appliances and a large island counter, making it a functional and practical space for everyday use. forresterarchitects also added a dormer conversion to the roof, creating a new master bedroom and ensuite that overlooks a large landscaped garden. This new addition has provided a private retreat for the homeowners to relax and unwind in the comfort of their own home. Throughout the refurbishment process, forresterarchitects were careful to preserve the period features of the cottage, including the exposed beams and traditional brickwork. forresterarchitects worked closely with the client to ensure that every aspect of the renovation was carried out with precision and care, resulting in a beautiful and functional space that has been restored to its former glory.

The cottage refurbishment is a perfect example of how traditional features can be preserved while still creating a modern and comfortable living space. The project has breathed new life into the property, transforming it into a functional and stylish home that meets the needs of the modern family.

20
Feb

Large format hand made clay tile proposed for a North London rear extension.

Danish clay tile extension | Architects for Hackney | forrester architects

A rear extension to North London has been designed to respond directly to its immediate context. The full house refurbishment and rear extension has been configured as one distinct volume and is expressed in a clay-tile cladding. The large format Danish clay tile, as a traditional hand made material, is contextually sympathetic to the palette of the materials to adjacent townhouse rear garden. The roof form is configured to take advantage of the unrestricted southwest facing aspect. Under the roof, a double height volume allows the warm air to rise naturally to the highest point of the roof space and then circulate to maintain a consistent room temperature. To the rear the kitchen is the main focal point to the house, the garden and a modest garden studio provided as a home working space.