Category: Refurbishment

15
Dec

Two-Storey Extension | Ardleigh | Architects in Islington

A two storey extension reconnects with the garden and sky in Islington, North London.

A new two storey extension is located within the De Beauvoir Conservation Area. It is identified as making a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. From the outset, three design constraints were instrumental to the form of the rear extension and key to the final configuration. The provision of a well equipped and spacious kitchen was central to our client’s requirements. The small galley kitchen was not suitable for a house of this size. A new bedroom to the lower ground floor would not occupy the previous dining room space.
 
The most problematic but desirable outside space was the retention of the existing roof terrace area. Accessed from the raised ground floor lounge it provides a pleasant outside space. A rear extension takes the form of a full-width aperture to the rear of a property, but the existing roof terrace was retained. This provided an opportunity to establish a hierarchy of spaces which determined the form of the rear extension.
 
The new larger kitchen and dining room of the two storey extension is remodelled to take advantage of the North facing aspect. The kitchen reconnects with 3m high folding sliding doors to provide framed views of the garden. The roof to the kitchen extension is glazed and looks to the sky to bring in as much light as possible to the north facing rear garden aspectThe gymnasium benefits from its garden location and enjoys framed views of the garden. The roof terrace has level access from the rear lounge and can be enjoyed when entertaining guests.
 
A bespoke hand-painted timber kitchen has been designed to our client’s exact requirements. The paint colours conceal solid timber drawer and carcase linings with full height walk-in larder. The kitchen island is a fine Carrera marble work-surfaces with a contrasting colour to the breakfast bar island
15
Jun

London House Extension | Harcombe | Architects in Stoke Newington

A London house extension has reinterpreted the London roof  in non-conformist Stoke Newington, North London.

A London house extension is a modern interpretation of the traditional London Roof, the butterfly roof, provides a unique architectural language for a new rear extension in North London. Avoiding the mundane typical rear extension the roof form is expressed internally as exposed timber joists. This provides a dynamic architectural feature and adds a natural warmth to the new rear extension. The roof is known as a warm roof construction and replaces traditional slate tile to provide a lightweight roof construction. To the West, a large hexagonal glass window frames views of the small urban garden to provide a unique rear extension.
More generally, the main living room is located to the front of mid terrace Victorian houses. The dining room has moved to the bay fronted room to the front of the house. The reconfiguration work involved the kitchen being relocated between the new living room and dining.  A new large galley kitchen provides an open plan connection between the living room and dining room. The dining room is orientated for breakfast in the early morning. The new rear extension benefits from views of the garden and the setting sun in the evening. Rubber flooring is used a robust easy clean floor finish to the rear lounge. 
Other works involved the conversion of the original roof space. A traditional loft conversion adds a new floor of accommodation to the top of the house. A dedicated wet-room shower room has added to the top floor landing. Originally configured as a three bedroom house it now provides five bedrooms.
As part of the refurbishment, the entire house has been rewired with new plumbing throughout. Each room has been provided with hard-wired CAT 5 data connectivity.
28
Nov

Digital Broadcast Facility | Ondigital | Architects in Battersea

A new digital broadcast facility has been established in South West London.

A cutting-edge digital broadcast facility has been established in South West London, occupying the second and third floors of an iconic 1980s Post-Modern building near the River Thames. The central broadcast suite required a dedicated and controlled environment, and with the arrival of digital television, a new state-of-the-art broadcast facility was needed in West London.

To ensure maximum functionality, a proprietary glazing system was installed to provide full-height compartmentalization in each room. Sound attenuation was also incorporated in the form of bespoke acoustic baffles hung from the ceiling. This design feature not only enhances sound quality but also adds a unique aesthetic element to the facility.

This digital broadcast facility will serve as a cornerstone for future media developments in the area.

Despite the complex design requirements, all services remained exposed, which was a key feature of the design. The coordination between the mechanical and electrical infrastructure was extensive to ensure seamless integration and functionality.

The new digital facility serves as an excellent example of how cutting-edge technology can be combined with innovative design to create a functional, aesthetic, and practical space. The state-of-the-art broadcast facility will undoubtedly serve as a key resource for the digital media industry, providing the latest tools and technologies to enhance the broadcasting experience. The iconic Post-Modern building near the River Thames has been given a new lease of life with the establishment of this cutting-edge digital facility, ensuring it remains a significant landmark in the city’s landscape.

28
Nov

Loft Office Refurbishment | Peartree | Architects in Clerkenwell

A loft office refurbishment with fine exposed timber joists and original brightly painted steel columns is revealed in the refurbishment of a tired office in Clerkenwell.

The refurbishment of a tired office in Clerkenwell has revealed a classic loft office with fine exposed timber joists and original brightly painted steel columns. Behind the double-height brickwork arches of a fine Victorian facade of a North London office building, a loft office was hidden, which had been subdivided many times over the years, losing its original character.

The loft office refurbishment was stripped back to its original structure, exposing intact timber floors and capped steel columns. The original paint colours were revealed, creating a unique and vibrant aesthetic. The office partitions were removed to provide an open-plan office configuration on raised access floors, while the plasterboard was removed to expose yellow brickwork.

The rear courtyard, which was previously unused, now provides a new circulation stairwell and a lift to each new floor, including a new mezzanine on the top floor. This addition enhances the functionality of the office space while preserving its classic loft character.

Overall, the loft office refurbishment serves as an excellent example of how classic loft spaces can be reimagined and restored to their original grandeur. By stripping away layers of previous renovations, the design team was able to create a unique and vibrant space that celebrates the building’s history and character. The result is a flexible and functional open-plan office that is perfect for modern business needs, while retaining its classic loft charm.

14
Oct

Duplex Refurbishment | Yoo | Architects in St Johns’ Wood

A prestigious residential duplex refurbishment, located in St. John’s Wood, North West London has been completed by forresterarchitects.

This impressive two bedroom duplex refurbishment in a Manhattan style is set on the top floor of this exclusive property in St. Johns Wood, North West London. The property was recently acquired by our Client. The penthouse required a fresh approach to enliven the interior design of this luxury apartment. A simple muted palette was more suited to the client’s taste. An open plan configuration was desirable replacing the opulence of the previous Rococo interior.
 
The refurbishment comprises of a large lounge room, dining room and bespoke Italian kitchen. The kitchen is a simple galley counter arrangement and situated across from the dining room. Full height kitchen units form a back drop to the kitchen counter which conceals the cooking and dishwashing appliancesBeyond the main living space, a series of secret doors conceal two large bedrooms, each equipped with its own private bathroom. The bathrooms are simple in arrangement with a freestanding honed marble bath, which is a key design feature to each bathroomThe penthouse benefits from two large exterior terraces which provide views of the London roof-scape.
 
The building located within the London Borough of Westminster. It is a luxurious and maintained apartment building with 24-hour concierge service. It was a telephone exchange and was converted into 38 flats in 2001.