THE BLOG

04
May

Flipped Garden Room to the rear of a terraced house in the North Kilburn Conservation Area

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

Flipped Garden Room | Architects for Brondesbury Park 

Our latest project in Brondesbury Park 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.

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 / Extensions & Conversions, House Refurbishment, 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

Reconfiguration to brighten an interior in Southgate

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

Bright Interior Reconfiguration | Architects for Southgate

A semi-detached home in Southgate doesn’t need an extension—it needs a smarter use of space. 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

Townhouse Refurbishment Air Source Heat Pump | 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.

18
Oct

A Green Oak garage with rear garden extension in Tonbridge

Posted by / Extensions & Conversions, House Refurbishment, Interior Design, Listed Buildings & Conservation, New Build

Green Oak Double Garage and Rear Garden Extension | Architects for Tonbridge 

A distinctive and spacious “forever” home sits on a quiet country lane in Tonbridge. While nearly perfect, it needs a thoughtful update. Upstairs, new flooring and reconfigured partitions improve bedroom sizes, and each bathroom will be refitted. The large kitchen will remain on the ground floor, but a new rear extension will replace the inferior conservatory. A Green Oak garage with a first-floor office/study will be built in the mature side garden. The extension and garage will blend modern and traditional elements, complementing the house’s white-painted brick, red concrete tiles, and blackened timber cladding.
15
Sep

Landlocked garden with stepped terrace

Posted by / Extensions & Conversions

Landlocked Stepped Terraced | Architects for West Kilburn 

A mews house in West Kilburn has creatively reclaimed neighboring land to establish a charming garden space. This enclosed urban setting offers an excellent opportunity to create an enjoyable amenity beyond the mews itself. Surrounded by high walls, the garden benefits from a west-facing aspect, making the most of the sun as it passes across the sky. To maximise the space, a series of elevated timber terraced platforms is proposed, mounted to the walls each platform provides different levels of use and perspective. Nestled in the far corner, the terraces acts as a sun-trap, capturing the warmth of the evening sun.

27
Aug

Our latest project is featured in designboom

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

designboom feature | Architects for London | forrester architects

Pleased to share that our latest full-house refurbishment of a London townhouse in Stoke Newington is now featured in designboom! Powered by an Air Source Heat Pump, the project focuses on maximising energy efficiency and natural daylight, with bold design elements like a stunning double-height space and vibrant turquoise steel-clad extension.
Check out the full feature on designboom!
11
Jun

Mezzanine to a double height extension in fashionable North London

Posted by / Extensions & Conversions, House Refurbishment

Mezzanine in a Double Height Extension | Architects for Hackney | forrester architects

Our latest project is an exciting townhouse refurbishment in Stoke Newington. A feature mezzanine overlooks a newly created double-height space to the existing rear extension. Keen to stay in the area the client decided to reinvest in an ambitious townhouse refurbishment and avoid the cost of relocating.  This ambitious project removes the first floor bedroom and bathroom to create a dynamic new living environment. The rear lounge space is transformed.

The original house has a perfect aspect but over heating challenges need to be addressed without losing natural daylight. The refurbishment provides a perfect opportunity to address the issues. With the ever increased energy costs there was an opportunity to reconsider the thermal efficiency of the house as a whole.

Our client is passionate about sustainability and eager to make their home as energy-efficient as possible. The gas boiler will be removed and replaced with an air-source heat pump which will be mounted on the outrigger roof adjacent to the new solar panel. The new double height extension will be a a spacious, open-plan lower ground floor, with a dynamic dual aspect to the front and back and designed to be bright and airy. This holistic approach to thermal efficiency and sustainable living coupled with considered design sets a benchmark for future refurbishments.

 

28
May

Your response to the energy crisis is requested-ASHP

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

London Townhouse powered by an Air Source Heat Pump | Architects for Hackney | forrester architects

This ambitious London townhouse reconfigurationt redefines the traditional London townhouse layout for modern living, integrating an Air Source Heat Pump for sustainability.With rising energy costs, improving thermal efficiency was a priority. The project eliminates reliance on a gas boiler, enhancing insulation and overall energy performance.

At the heart of daily life will be a spacious, open-plan lower ground floor. Designed for light and space, it centres around the Danish made kitchen units, lounge, and dining area. The kitchen sits in a striking double-height space, created by removing part of the raised ground floor. A new mezzanine connects to a metal staircase leading to bespoke Danish-made kitchen units, the dining area, and the extension. The highly insulated timber-framed rear extension features a distinctive pyramidal roof with a large glazed top light, offering uninterrupted sky views. Beyond it, a new garden studio provides a dedicated workspace, mirroring the extension’s insulation for consistent energy efficiency.

On the top floor, a full roof rebuild includes a rear dormer conversion, maximizing insulation while preserving floor space. Custom-made wardrobes make use of generous roof voids in each bedroom. To cut electricity use, solar PV panels on the dormer roof support a sustainable energy strategy, reducing the home’s overall environmental impact.

 

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Project Type:

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