Category: Listed Buildings & Conservation

11
Feb

Concert Room to a duplex loft refurbishment

Concert Room Loft | Architects for Hampstead | forrester architects

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.

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 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.

20
Jan

Green Oak barn extension added to a traditional Cotswolds cottage

Green Oak Barn Extension | Architects for the Cotswolds | forrester architects

A green oak barn extension has been added as part of the refurbishment of the Coach House, a detached stone house located within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The property boasts several charming features, including stone fireplaces, exposed stone walls, timber beams, and stone window seats. However, a full interior refurbishment is required, and a Green Oak extension will be added to the rear of the Coach House.

forresterarchitects drew inspiration from the surrounding area’s light industrial and agricultural forms to create a simple, sustainable extension that complements the existing structure. The new addition will feature a sustainable drainage solution for surface water, which will utilise natural drainage techniques to collect, treat, store, and slowly release stormwater into the environment. The Green Oak barn extension will be designed with the key principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility in mind. The extension will be in harmony with the surrounding area, featuring a timber clad roof and utilising local materials such as Cotswold stone. The project will provide a well-proportioned building that seamlessly blends the old with the new.

In summary, forresterarchitects will undertake a full refurbishment of the Coach House while adding a Green Oak extension that is designed to be sustainable and environmentally responsible. The extension will provide a simple architectural response that is in harmony with the surrounding area and showcases the beauty of the Cotswolds AONB.

30
Nov

Five floor Townhouse rental property investment in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

Townhouse rental property investment | Architects for Kensington & Chelsea | forrester architects

forresterarchitects are currently working on a rental property investment project involving a five-storey townhouse located in the heart of Notting Hill. The townhouse is being fully refurbished and upgraded to ensure high-quality accommodation suitable for young professional couples. Each of the one-bedroom flats is individually designed to meet the client’s requirements and comes with improved acoustic separation to ensure maximum comfort and privacy for the tenants.

A new roof extension has been added to the townhouse to create a duplex two-bedroom penthouse with a rear terrace that provides an ideal pied-à-terre for those seeking a central London location. The design of the extension is sympathetic to the existing building, with careful consideration given to its visual impact and the conservation area in which it is located. The overall aim of the project is to create a series of high-end rental properties that will appeal to a discerning clientele. The emphasis is on providing quality, comfort and convenience, with each flat benefiting from a modern, functional layout and high-quality finishes throughout.

forresterarchitects are committed to delivering projects that meet the needs and aspirations of their clients. Their approach is one of collaboration and innovation, working closely with the client to ensure that every aspect of the project is carefully considered and executed to the highest standards. 

29
Aug

Get ready for the boardwalk!

London Boutique | Architects for Mayfair | forrester architects

forresterarchitects have recently completed a refurbishment of the interior of the Rupert Sanderson boutique in Mayfair, London. The design approach was to take a light touch, enhancing the existing features of the space and creating a welcoming environment for customers.

The refurbished boutique will be ready for a summer reopening, just in time for customers to explore the collection of shoes and accessories on offer. With a nod to the iconic boardwalks of beachside resorts, the design incorporates natural materials and textures such as wood and woven fabrics. The layout of the boutique has been reconfigured to improve the flow and functionality of the space. New bespoke joinery has been added to display the products in an elegant and organized manner. Soft lighting has been introduced to create an inviting atmosphere and highlight the details of the products on display.

The design of the refurbished boutique aims to reflect the quality and craftsmanship of the Rupert Sanderson brand. With the reopening of the boutique in Mayfair, customers can look forward to a stylish and welcoming shopping experience.

25
Feb

A little gem in the Canonbury Conservation Area frames views of an easterly sky

Glazed Facet Extension  | Architects for Islington | Canonbury Conservation Area

For an Islington townhouse in the Canonbury Conservation Area, forresterarchitects have designed a new extension that features a unique faceted glazed structure. The design concept is simple yet striking, with a series of angles that provide a rich sculptural form and define the new garden lounge extension.

The angles on the facade of the extension provide a notional subdivision for the different functions within the space, which in turn inform the language of the facade and the extent of privacy to the rear. This approach has resulted in a beautifully designed space that is both functional and visually appealing, offering the clients a contemporary and elegant living space. The faceted glazed structure allows for natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The angles on the facade also create interesting and dynamic shadows throughout the day, adding to the visual interest of the space. 

The new garden lounge extension is a seamless addition to the Canonbury townhouse, complementing the original design while adding a contemporary touch. forresterarchitects have carefully considered the surrounding conservation area, ensuring that the extension is in harmony with its surroundings while still making a bold design statement.

 

11
Aug

A blue steel truss mezzanine transforms a single storey cottage refurbishment.

Blue Steel Mezzanine | Architects for Camden | Highgate, North West London

A small cottage in our client’s garden was under utilised but held great potential; that potential has now been realised. A new blue steel mezzanine has been inserted to run the length of the cottage to provide a significant increase in usable floor area. The cottage interior has enlivened to provide a simple but bold stand-alone accommodation for the in-laws. When the cottage is not being used by guests it retains the flexibility to provide a study area for the client’s daughters. Or in the evening it can be used as a party venue following dinner parties or where everyone can watch a film. To assist in the flexibility of space clever joinery will be incorporated to conceal the beds when they are not in use.

16
Jul

A farmhouse and barn renovation is now ready for a harsh Yorkshire winter.

Farmhouse Refurbishment | Architects for the Yorkshire Dales | Leyburn, Yorkshire

Situated in Leyburn, Yorkshire, a farmhouse refurbishment is almost complete, just in time for the wood-burning stove to be stoked up. The architects have ensured the house retains its wonderful original features, including exposed timber beams, a stone-tiled roof, and half a meter thick solid walls.

The retention of these original features has helped to preserve the charm and character of the farmhouse, while modernising it for contemporary living. Underfloor heating was added throughout the ground floor to counteract the harshest driving wind. The wood-burning stove adds to the welcoming atmosphere of the space, creating a warm and inviting living space for the clients. forresterarchitects have been careful to ensure that the refurbishment is in harmony with the farmhouse’s original design and style, creating a seamless blend of old and new. This has resulted in a farmhouse that is both functional and visually appealing, offering the clients a comfortable and elegant living space.

Forresterarchitects have completed the refurbishment of the farmhouse, preserving its original features while adding modern elements to enhance its functionality. The result is a beautiful and charming farmhouse that is in harmony with its surroundings and perfectly suited for contemporary living.

07
Apr

A new double height art gallery forms a new focal point to a townhouse refurbishment.

Gallery for a House | Architects for Belsize Park | Camden, North London

A gallery for a house forms part of the brief to a new full house refurbishment in Belsize Park, London. The house is tired but retains some interesting period features to the wall frieze and ceilings. It does need to be extended to provide an appropriate level of accommodation for entertaining. A key need of the brief is to provide an art gallery for the client and it seems a double height space to the rear of the house is well suited. The rear elevation aims to reconnect the house with the garden and provide a unique architectural solution.
 
To the top of the house, the windows are under-sized and the bedroom spaces seem a secondary consideration. We aim to open the roof space to provide a modern loft style environment for the children. The master bedroom will occupy the first floor in its entirety with a new bathroom, dressing room and study with great views over the city of London.
07
Dec

Our Conservation Area house refurbishment features in Don’t Move, Improve!

Don’t Move Improve | Architects for Belsize Park | Camden, North London

Don’t Move Improve. A new rear extension and house refurbishment in North West London improves a fine semi-detached house in Belsize Park. A series of angled facets reconnects the rear extension with the garden to give a unique architectural solution. As with most Victorian houses, the kitchen is too small for a house of this size. Only a modest kitchen sink window the offers a glimpse of the glorious gardens beyond. The client wanted the house to feel better connected to the garden. The extension is expressed as series of solid and void angled facets. They have been used to set up a notional hierarchy to give a level of transparency between the house and gardenThe kitchen enjoys a longer footprint with a frameless window to give views across the neighbouring gardens. Exposed timber joists incorporate low energy strip lighting across the kitche