Category: Listed Buildings & Conservation

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.

 

 

18
Oct

A Green Oak rear garden extension in Tonbridge

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

Green Oak Rear Garden Extension | Architects in 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.
11
Feb

Concert Room to a duplex loft refurbishment

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

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

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

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

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

Green Oak Barn Extension | Architects in 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.

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