THE BLOG

16
Sep

An investment property refurbishment in the Cornwall Conservation Area.

Investment Refurbishment | Architects for Kensington & Chelsea | forresterarchitects

A beautiful garden square in Cornwall Gardens, South West London, sets the scene for a refurbished first-floor flat with two bedrooms for forresterarchitects latest project. Located in a desirable area, this property has been renovated to a high standard and is ready for you to move in or rent out. The flat boasts a spacious and modern interior, with two well-proportioned bedrooms that provide ample space for tenants. The refurbishment has transformed the property into a stylish and comfortable living space that is sure to appeal to potential renters.

The garden square provides a serene and picturesque setting for the property, with plenty of greenery and open space. This is an ideal location for those who want to be close to the city but still enjoy a peaceful and tranquil environment. The area is well-connected to public transport links, making it easy to get around the city. An investment refurbishment in London can be a smart move, and this refurbished first-floor flat in Cornwall Gardens is a prime example of a desirable investment opportunity.

With its location in a beautiful garden square, modern and stylish interior, and convenient transportation links, this property is sure to attract potential renters and generate a healthy return on investment.

01
Sep

A Victorian piano factory is going future proof in its new office fit-out.

Commercial Office Fit-Out | Architects for Camden | Camden Town, North West London

forresterarchitects has recently completed a commercial office fit-out project in Camden Town, North West London. The media analyst’s headquarters, which was originally a Victorian piano factory, needed to be upgraded and reconfigured to accommodate their growing needs. The existing building infrastructure was dated and at full capacity, which made it challenging to improve the functionality of the space.

To address these issues, forresterarchitects took an innovative approach to office space planning. They used dedicated furniture and workstations to increase the occupancy capacity of the office space by 30%. The new layout maximises the available space and provides a more comfortable and productive working environment for the employees. Moreover, the improvements to the power and data supply ensured uninterrupted access to the internet, which is critical for a business that relies entirely on digital information. The upgrades were carried out with the future in mind, ensuring that the power supply would remain on without fail. The design approach involved the integration of new technology into the building’s infrastructure, making it possible for the occupants to work more efficiently. For example, the use of high-speed data networks and advanced lighting systems creates an environment that promotes productivity and creativity.

Overall, the office fit-out project undertaken by forresterarchitects in Camden Town is a successful example of how innovative thinking can transform outdated spaces into modern, functional, and productive work environments. The upgrade to the power and data supply and the introduction of new technology ensures that the building is future-proofed, providing a flexible space that can adapt to the changing needs of the occupants.

16
Aug

A Grade 2 property isn’t untouchable. Add a glass box in the Jeffrey’s Street Conservation Area.

Grade 2 Remodelling | Architects for Camden | Jeffrey’s Street Conservation Area, North West London

forresterarchitects has been tasked with a Grade II remodelling project in Jeffrey’s Street Conservation Area, North West London. The project involves an end of terrace Edwardian house in Camden Town with a stucco facade featuring vertical sliding shutters concealed within the window cills, a key listed feature. The client desires an expansion of the accommodation, which is currently modest.

To meet the client’s needs, forresterarchitects proposes a modern glass rear extension that engages with the garden while remaining concealed behind the perimeter garden wall. The design’s aim is to keep the original features of the building intact, with the only sign of intervention being the profiled edge of the horizontal roof beyond. The glass extension offers a modern approach to expand the accommodation while keeping the building’s character and charm. The proposed design offers a balance between old and new, with the glass extension providing a modern addition while retaining the building’s original Edwardian architecture. The design offers a contemporary space for modern living and entertainment while retaining the original character of the building.

forresterarchitects approach to the project is a careful balance between retaining the original features of the building while accommodating the client’s needs for expansion. The proposed glass extension offers a seamless transition between the original building and the modern addition, providing a beautiful and functional living space.

01
Dec

Dining intervention to a garden square Townhouse refurbishment within the Kennington Conservation Area.

Garden Square Refurbishment & Extension | Architects of Lambeth | Kennington Conservation Area, South East London

forresterarchitects recently completed the refurbishment and extension of a charming mid-terraced townhouse in Kennington, South London. Although the house had well-proportioned living spaces and bedrooms, the galley kitchen was unremarkable and needed an update. The client wanted a modern, bright and airy kitchen, so the architects proposed a frameless glazed roof-light extension.

The new extension spans the full width of the house and connects the raised ground floor kitchen and dining room with the lower ground floor lounge room. This new addition provides much-needed connectivity between the different levels of the house, creating a seamless flow between the spaces. The glazed roof-light floods the kitchen with natural light, making it bright and inviting. The new kitchen is a modern and functional space, designed to meet the client’s requirements for a bright and airy atmosphere. forresterarchitects worked closely with the client to ensure that the design met their needs while also being visually appealing.

The frameless glazed roof-light is the focal point of the extension, providing a stunning view of the sky above and creating a sense of openness and spaciousness. It also allows natural light to penetrate deep into the house, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. The full-width extension allowed for a larger kitchen area, providing plenty of space for cooking, entertaining, and dining. Overall, the refurbishment and extension of this quaint garden squared mid-terraced townhouse in Kennington, South London is a success.

23
Jul

A long overdue refurbishment complete with new basement floor is added to a Villa in the Mercers Conservation Area.

Villa Refurbishment | Architects of Islington | Mercers Conservation Area, North London

forresterarchitects have been commissioned by a commercial client to carry out a full internal and external conservation refurbishment of their elegant Victorian villa in Tufnell Park, North London, located in the Mercers Conservation Area. The client’s brief was to preserve and enhance the original period features of the house, which required a meticulous and sensitive approach to the project.

The architects worked diligently to reinstate lost decorative features and to decorate the villa with paints from a Victorian palette that would complement the character of the house. The conservation refurbishment involved extensive work to restore the exterior and interior of the property to its former glory, with a particular focus on preserving the original period details. The architects also worked closely with the client to ensure that any new features and finishes were sympathetic to the villa’s heritage and did not detract from its historical charm. This involved carefully selecting materials and finishes that would blend seamlessly with the existing architecture and period details. 

The end result is a beautifully preserved and enhanced Victorian villa that is a testament to the architects’ skill and expertise in conservation refurbishment. The project showcases an attention to detail and commitment to preserving the character and heritage of historic buildings, which is vital in maintaining the cultural and architectural richness of our urban environment.

01
Jun

A lower ground conversion flat with an under utilised terrace in the Hampstead Conservation Area. Bring it in from the cold.

Lower Ground Conversion | Architects for Hampstead | Hampstead Conservation Area, North West London

forresterarchitects has recently completed the renovation of a lower ground floor flat in the Hampstead Conservation Area, located in North West London. The original property was a one bedroom private dwelling with access to a private garden, but the proposal aimed to create a two-bedroom private dwelling with an extended kitchen and improved sanitary accommodations.

To achieve this, the internal layout of the property was reconfigured to provide a larger kitchen extension with direct access to the terrace and garden through sliding/folding double glazed units. Additionally, the former kitchen space was reconfigured to create a new bedroom with direct access to the garden. The aim was to extend the property demise to provide more space for the improvements. Sanitary accommodations were also improved and increased to provide a larger bathroom and an en-suite to the master bedroom. With these changes, the property has been transformed into a modern and comfortable dwelling that meets the needs of contemporary living. The Hampstead Conservation Area is known for its architectural and historical significance, which makes it an ideal location for architectural projects.

The renovation of the lower ground floor flat in Hampstead, North West London has created a comfortable and modern two-bedroom private dwelling with an extended kitchen and improved sanitary accommodations. The renovation is a perfect example of how contemporary living spaces can be created while preserving the character of a historically significant area.

 

21
May

Yoo Hoo! A luxury refurbishment to a penthouse in St. Johns’ Wood.

Penthouse Refurbishment | Architects for Westminster | St John’s Wood, North West London

forresterarchitects are undertaking a prestigious residential development project for a luxury penthouse apartment located in St. John’s Wood, North West London. The client requires a fresh approach to enliven the space, and a simple muted palette is deemed more suitable to their tastes. The existing Rococo interior will be replaced by a large open plan configuration that offers a sharp contrast to the previous opulence.

The new luxury refurbishment design aims to create a sense of privacy and exclusivity. One of the design features is the inclusion of secret doors, which provide access to the other bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. forresterarchitects have approached the project with a focus on creating a sleek, modern design while preserving the luxury feel of the penthouse. The muted color palette, combined with the open plan configuration, enhances the sense of spaciousness and airiness in the apartment. The new design will also incorporate the latest in smart home technology, including lighting, sound, and temperature controls, to provide the ultimate luxurious living experience.

The location of the penthouse in St. John’s Wood is a sought-after residential area, and forresterarchitects have taken care to create a design that fits in seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. The end result will be a luxurious penthouse apartment that offers a perfect balance of modern design and opulent living, creating an unparalleled living experience in one of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods.

18
Apr

A mansion block refurbishment is reconfigured in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area.

Mansion Block Refurbishment | Architects for Camden | Bloomsbury Conservation Area, West Central London

forresterarchitects recently completed the refurbishment of a mansion block in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area, West Central London. The flat was spacious and had a south-facing aspect, but its communal lightwell provided inadequate light levels to the interior. To address this issue, forresterarchitects introduced large sliding doors to the living and kitchen rooms, creating a more open-plan layout and allowing natural light to flood across the depth of the flat.

The reconfiguration also involved modernising the bathrooms and providing fine joinery wardrobes that complemented the bedrooms. The new kitchen layout included the incorporation of a walk-in larder, increasing the overall area of the kitchen. These changes not only resolved the light issue but also enhanced the functionality and aesthetics of the flat. As the flat is located in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area, it was crucial to ensure that the refurbishment was in keeping with the area’s historic architecture. forresterarchitects carefully selected materials and finishes that complemented the existing features of the building. The result is a modern and elegant living space that respects the historic context of the surrounding area.

The success of this project is a testament to forresterarchitects expertise in designing sympathetic and practical solutions for refurbishments in historic areas. Their attention to detail and sensitivity to the existing architecture have resulted in a beautiful and functional space that meets the needs of the client while respecting the historic context of the area.

01
Apr

A little retail therapy for a boutique retail refurbishment in Mayfair.

Retail Refurbishment | Architects for Westminster | Mayfair, West London

forresterarchitects have recently finished a refurbishment of Rupert Sanderson’s boutique shop in Central London. The aim was to create more office space for the growing international business, so an upgrade to the power and data infrastructure was necessary. Additionally, a new first-floor gallery space has been created to showcase upcoming fashion collections.

The project involved creating more office workstations, which required a complete overhaul of the space. forresterarchitects designed a new layout that maximised the available floor area, ensuring that the new workstations were both functional and stylish. The power and data infrastructure is upgraded to accommodate the needs of a modern retail business, ensuring that the store can handle the pace of growth it is currently experiencing.

One of the main features of the refurbishment is the new first-floor gallery space.  This space was specifically designed to showcase Rupert Sanderson’s latest fashion collections. The new gallery space is a modern and stylish addition to the store, with a minimalist design that showcases the collections in an elegant and sophisticated way. The space is well-lit and airy, providing the perfect backdrop for the latest fashion trends. forresterarchitects worked closely with the client to ensure that the space was tailored to their specific needs and requirements, while also being visually appealing to customers.

Overall, the retail refurbishment for Rupert Sanderson’s Central London boutique shop is a success. The new workstations, upgraded infrastructure, and first-floor gallery space have transformed the store into a modern and functional space that can accommodate the growing demands of the business while also providing a visually appealing environment for customers.

01
Mar

Four new build houses realise the full potential of an inner city brownfield site.

New Build Houses | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

forresterarchitects have completed four new build houses in Stoke Newington, North London. Four innovative interlocking townhouses form the perimeter boundary to a centralised courtyard development. The site is a tight urban brown field site. Traditional construction techniques are used to compliment the modern materials to achieve highly insulated construction values.
 
The site was tight and the context varied dramatically to each side of the site. The new-build development offers a unique and positive contribution to the urban environment. Each house type offers an unconventional layout due to the site constraints.  The exterior of the four interlocking house are simple brick constructions. The upper floors are spacious double-height living rooms with plenty of daylight and framed views of the local environment. Each of the open plan kitchens has direct access to a private external terrace, which is located between each house. Bespoke Italian kitchens provide a focus for open plan living. A spiral staircase leads to a mezzanine gallery level, which overlooks the main living space. All bedroom accommodation is located on the ground floor. Each bedroom is provided with modest courtyards, which provide each room with their own outside space. Each bedroom has a full tiled private bathroom or shower-room complete with sleek, modern fittings.
 
The courtyard provides car parking for each resident and is expressed as a simple white band of render to each block.