Tag: Hackney

20
May

A double height rear extension to the De Beaviour Conservation Area.

Stepped Rear Extension | Architects for Hackney | De Beaviour Conservation Area, North London

forresterarchitects has recently submitted a planning application for the refurbishment and extension of a Victorian terraced house located in the De Beaviour Conservation Area of North London. The upper floors of the house are spacious and filled with natural light, but the lower ground floor, due to its North facing aspect, lacks brightness. The clients have expressed their desire for a brighter and well-equipped kitchen and a bedroom that connects more to the garden.

To address this,forresterarchitects have proposed a new stepped rear extension that will offer framed views of the garden from the kitchen and stairwell corridor, creating a bright and day-lit environment. A double-height glazed roof-light space is also planned for the dining area, with the aim of providing as much natural light as possible to the back of the house. The existing roof terrace will be retained, serving as an ideal location for afternoon gatherings and evening drinks. The house is currently configured as a three-bedroom private dwelling, but the proposal provides a fourth bedroom for guests with an extra wet-room shower room. The key to the proposed configuration is the retention of the roof terrace, which will ensure the house retains its charm and character while adding a contemporary twist to the lower ground floor.

The design takes into consideration the conservation area’s character and provides a solution that respects and contributes to the surrounding environment. The glazed extension’s massing ensures it does not become an overbearing feature but rather blends into the existing fabric of the building. The proposed extension and refurbishment will create a modern and functional living space that meets the client’s needs while maintaining the house’s original charm.

26
Jan

Absent_The School Library!

School Library | Architects for Hackney | forrester architects

A school in Stoke Newington recently lost its library to the IT room, but the new Head Teacher plans to change that and has enlisted the help of  forresterarchitects to re-establish the library for the children to enjoy and focus on reading. A design feasibility proposal has been approved, and the library works will take place over the Easter half-term. The project involves starting from scratch, with only the four walls of the classroom remaining.

To keep up with evolving technologies, the library will feature a mixture of paper and electronic media, and bespoke furniture will be arranged to create three informal reading zones with easy access to bookshelves. The bookshelves will be accessible to all ages, and can be moved aside when needed to allow for a large seating area focused on a whiteboard. The goal is to provide a library that reflects the school ethos of inspiring, developing, and nurturing every child to have the confidence to learn. The project is a departure from the recent trend of schools focusing on technology and digital media over physical books, and aims to promote a love of reading among the students. The design is intended to create a welcoming and comfortable environment that encourages students to spend time in the library and develop a passion for books.

The project is a collaborative effort between the school and forresterarchitects, who have expertise in designing spaces for education. The library will be an important resource for the school and the community, providing a space for learning and fostering a love of reading in the next generation.

08
Nov

A non-conformist London roof returns to Stoke Newington.

Rear Extension and House Refurbishment | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

forresterarchitects have completed a full house refurbishment to a fine Victorian terraced house in Stoke Newington. The house had not been decorated for many years and a refurbishment was well overdue.  A new non-conformist rear extension was proposed. A modern interpretation of the London Roof provides the extension with a unique language for the house. The roof structure is expressed as exposed timber joist with a plywood ceiling which adds a simple but natural warmth to the interior. A full architectural service was provided from inception through to contract administration and completion. 

The roof construction avoids a traditional cold roof construction of slate tile and rafter. Instead a single ply polymeric roof membrane provides a lightweight well-insulated alternative. A large hexagonal glass window frames views of the small urban garden from the living room.

As part of the reconfiguration works the kitchen has been moved into the middle of the house. A new open plan galley kitchen provides a connection between the lounge and the dining room which has moved to the front bay windowed room.  The dining room is now orientated for the early morning sun-rise to the East and perfect for breakfast. Other works to the house involve the conversion of the original roof space to provide a traditional loft conversion. This adds a new floor of accommodation for guests. A wet-room shower room has been located on the top floor landing to avoid losing any bedroom space. The house was configured as a three bedroom house now provides five bedrooms.  As part of the refurbishments works the entire house has been rewired with new plumbing throughout. Each room has been provided with hard-wired CAT 5 data connectivity.

 

17
Aug

A house refurbishment with new basement floor in Stoke Newington.

House Refurbishment with Basement | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

A large Victorian house refurbishment and basement extension in Stoke Newington, North London is substantial house refurbishment. The house has not been refurbished since its purchase by the clients, ten years previous.  During this period the house suffered from student occupation and was tired. Not far from our other local new-build project in Stoke Newington

The upper floors were bowed and only one bathroom served a four bedroom house. A full house refurbishment was proposed with the requirement of a full-width rear extension. A low engineered basement solution was added as a cost effective solution basement extension to avoid underpinning. The new basement space provides a viable solution to the client’s storage and utility requirements. A projecting window seat was a key feature to the rear extension design proposal. A fully glazed roof-light provided a bright modern kitchen overlooking a modest garden. A large garden pond provides a new focal point to the garden. 

To the upper floor the large bedroom proportions are retained intact. A guest shower-room to the top floor landing provided a simple design solution without compromising the top bedroomsA muted palette provided the most suitable background for the client’s extensive art collection.

01
Dec

Do you own land in a difficult location? It doesn’t mean you can’t get planning permission for the house of your dreams.

Planning Appeal | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

forresterarchitects recently succeeded in overturning a decision by the local planning department to refuse a rear extension development in North London. The development was proposed for a unique warehouse conversion that required additional space to reach its full potential. The design proposed a modest extension that blended seamlessly with the existing Victorian warehouse property. However, the planning submission was deemed overbearing and inappropriate in its local context, resulting in the planning department’s refusal.

To proceed with the development, a planning appeal was lodged by forresterarchitects, which demonstrated how the development was in full compliance with current planning policy. Following an inspection by the Planning Inspectorate, the appeal was successful, and full planning permission was subsequently granted, much to the client’s delight. forresterarchitects have extensive experience with planning appeals, and their successful track record demonstrates their ability to navigate the often complex and challenging planning process. forresterarchitects worked closely with clients to ensure that their vision is realised while meeting planning requirements and regulations. This particular project showcases forresterarchitects ability to design extensions that blend seamlessly with existing properties while meeting planning requirements. By proposing a modest extension that harmoniously complemented the warehouse conversion’s character, the team demonstrated their commitment to preserving and enhancing the local built environment.

In summary, forresterarchitects success in this planning appeal highlights their expertise in navigating the planning process and their commitment to delivering high-quality design solutions that meet both client and regulatory requirements.

18
Oct

A stonemason’s new garden studio added under Permitted Development in Stoke Newington.

Permitted Development | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington

forresterarchitects have recently completed a garden studio project in Stoke Newington, North London under permitted development rights. The studio was built for a former client and was designed to be a bright and airy space that also doubles as a terrace in the evenings. It was built as a sculpted form, with one carved feature stone wall, and serves as a stonemason’s studio during the day.

The studio is a stunning addition to the garden and was secured under permitted development rights. This means that the project was approved without the need for a planning application, making the process faster and more efficient. The use of permitted development rights allowed the client to save time and money while still achieving their desired outcome. In the evenings, the studio transforms into a terrace that provides an ideal location for catching the late evening sun and enjoying a gin and tonic. The bright and airy design of the studio creates a relaxing and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a long day.

Overall, the garden studio project in Stoke Newington is a beautiful example of how forresterarchitects have used permitted development rights to create stunning and functional spaces that meet the needs of their clients. The sculpted form and carved feature stone wall are unique and eye-catching, while the versatility of the space as both a studio and a terrace makes it a practical addition to any garden.

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.
01
Nov

A sliding glass roof is added to a Victorian terrace in Stoke Newington.

Sliding Glass Roof Conversion | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

forresterarchitects have recently finished a contemporary roof conversion project for a mid-terrace Victorian house in Stoke Newington, North London. The family who own the house were in need of an additional bedroom and shower-room as their family continued to grow, and so they turned to forresterarchitects to help with the transformation.

The architects decided to extend the living space by creating a new master bedroom and shower-room in the roof-space, which required careful planning and attention to detail. They were able to create a stunning modern interior that is predominantly white in colour, with colourful accents that add a touch of personality and character to the space. One of the most striking features of the new roof conversion is the sliding oval roof-light, which allows natural light to flood the interior and animates the space throughout the day as the sun passes overhead. The roof-light also offers unrestricted views of the city, making it the perfect spot for stargazing late into the evening.

Overall, the project is a testament to forresterarchitects’ ability to balance contemporary design with the historic charm of a Victorian terrace house. The new roof conversion has added value to the property and provided the growing family with the extra space they needed, while also creating a beautiful and unique living space that they can enjoy for years to come.