THE BLOG

04
May

Garden Room to terraced house in the North Kilburn Conservation Area

Posted by / House Refurbishment, Extensions & Conversions, Listed Buildings & Conservation

ASHP Garden Room | Architects for Brondesbury Park 

Our latest project is a staggered garden room in Brondesbury Park and builds on the approach developed across three previous schemes—showing that a side extension isn’t always necessary to improve space and function.

A key aim of the refurbishment is to create a bright, open living environment suited to everyday use. At the same time, the project restores the building in line with the North Kilburn Conservation Area guidelines. Currently, the home feels disconnected from its garden. This proposal re-establishes that link. We will install an air source heat pump (ASHP) in the front garden. By replacing the gas boiler, the client qualifies for a government grant. To reduce the ASHP’s operational load, we will upgrade the building’s insulation. To lower electricity demand further, we will install solar PV panels on the rear dormer, outrigger roof, and new garden room. These panels form part of a wider sustainable energy strategy. Any surplus energy will be stored in a battery for use during evenings or overcast days—reducing reliance on grid electricity.

Creating a Beautiful Garden Room

Internally, the new layout improves circulation from the front door through to the rear garden. A modest reconfiguration of the rear outrigger, including a larger bay window facing the side terrace, creates a brighter, more open-plan arrangement. This leads directly into the new garden room, positioned adjacent to the outdoor space.

The new rear dormer follows a traditional flat roof form. Its window arrangement mirrors that of the existing house. We’ll clad the dormer cheeks in vertical materials to match the existing roof finish. Glazing to the garden room roof and dormer brings daylight deep into the plan—crucial given the home’s north-easterly aspect. The amount and placement of glazing have been carefully considered to avoid disrupting the character of the existing house.

Every element of the proposal responds to both the architectural quality of the existing building and the historic context of the conservation area.

 

 

05
Mar

Creased Roof Extension to a West facing garden in the Stroud Green Conservation Area

Posted by / House Refurbishment, Extensions & Conversions, Interior Design

Creased Roof Extension | Architects for Stroud Green

The new creased rear extension is designed to improve the flow of the house, enhance the living space, and make the most of its west-facing aspect. Rather than a simple full-width extension, the design introduces a stepped layout, creating a natural connection between the house and garden while maximising evening light.

Entering the new extension by diagonal steps, which orientate you into the kitchen and frame views of the garden. Inside, full-height joinery keeps storage discreet, while a round dining table provides a central gathering point. Instead of a traditional kitchen layout, a free-form island acts as a flexible space for food preparation and socialising. Large glazed doors ensure plenty of natural light and open directly onto a new terrace—an ideal spot to enjoy the evening sun. A series of pivot doors allow the front lounge to be separated when needed, adding flexibility to the space.

Changes to the basement are minimal but effective. A new, lower-level concrete floor will increase ceiling height without the need for expensive underpinning and provides a dedicated space for a washing machine, tumble dryer, and additional storage. Rather than just adding square footage, this extension improves how the home is used. The layout makes the most of available light, introduces better connections between spaces, and creates a more practical and enjoyable everyday living environment.

The gas boiler will be removed and replaced with an air-source heat pump.

05
Feb

Bright Interior Reconfiguration to an house in Southgate

Posted by / House Refurbishment, Extensions & Conversions, Interior Design

Bright Interior Reconfiguration | Architects for Southgate

A semi-detached home in Southgate doesn’t need an extension—it needs a brighter interior reconfiguration. A new enlivened ground floor reconfiguration will create a more open, functional layout, enhancing the natural light. Opening up key areas, the new layout will relocate the  kitchen to the rear and dining room. To the front the lounge remains maintaining a sense of the traditional Edwardian home. Introducing subtle Scandinavian influences for a calm, modern feel. The materials and finishes will take inspiration from light oak, soft neutrals, and a focus on natural textures for warmth and simplicity.

Maximising daylight is key to making the home feel more open. Wider internal openings and strategically placed glazing will help brighten the space, particularly towards the rear, while pale wood flooring and light-reflecting surfaces will enhance the effect. This reconfiguration isn’t about adding square footage—it’s about making the most of what’s already there. By improving flow, increasing storage, and letting in more light, the new layout will create a brighter, more functional home, tailored for modern living.

06
Dec

Stepped timber extension to a mid-terrace in West Brompton

Posted by / Extensions & Conversions, House Refurbishment, Interior Design, Sketch/Feasibility

Stepped Timber Extension | Architects for West Brompton 

This mid-terraced house in West Brompton has a compact kitchen at the rear that feels small and disconnected from the rest of the home. The surrounding properties have extended into their gardens, creating a greater sense of enclosure than normal. There is a clear view of the sky which offers inspiration for a simple design solution.

The main challenge is the change in level between the house and the rear garden. Often treated as a crude transition, this junction is considered to provide a smooth connection between the rear lounge and the new kitchen space, improving the flow and connection to the ground floor layout.

The design proposal introduces an exposed timber roof, creased to form a canopy over the new rear lounge door connection the main house and the kitchen. Above, a series of oval roof-lights offering views upwards to the open sky allowing as much daylight while maintaining privacy from the neighbouring properties.

09
Nov

Anatomy of an Eco-Retrofit

Posted by / House Refurbishment

Air Source Heat Pump to a Townhouse Refurbishment  | Architects for Stoke Newington

Our latest full house refurbishment, powered by an air source heat pump, features in the Financial Times Weekend edition. The article, ‘Anatomy of an Eco-Retrofit’, explores the client’s experience, highlighting both challenges and successes. The client’s experience offers insight into the practical and emotional aspects of such a home improvement.

See other projects in your Borough:

Havering Lewisham West Brompton Tonbridge & Malling Stroud Green Oxford Western Australia Yorkshire Dales National Park South Bucks Fulham Yorkshire Romford Cambridge Hertsmere Haringey Tower Hamlets Colchester Enfield Norfolk Broads AONB Cotswolds AONB Woking Waltham Forest Barnet Côte d'Azur New Zealand Jersey Balham Hammersmith & Fulham Feature Newham Southwark Lambeth Brent Westminster Kensington & Chelsea Islington Hackney Camden

Project Type:

Sketch/Feasibility Commercial New Build Interior Design Listed Buildings & Conservation Extensions & Conversions House Refurbishment