Planning Approval for Ground Floor Rear Extension and Internal Alterations to a Charming House in Hampton Village Conservation Area

We are delighted to announce that we have successfully obtained planning approval for our latest project - a ground floor rear extension and internal alterations to a charming house nestled in the heart of Hampton Village's conservation area. Our team at Square One Architects carefully worked to make sure our design blended well with the existing architecture in the area. We carefully considered the history and local rules, and made a plan that feels modern but at the same time in keeping with the existing house while making it better to use for today's lives. This approval shows that we care about using the environment well and making places that mix old and new easily.

The property's ground floor required a much-needed extension to replace the worn-out side return conservatory that dated back to the 1960s. The deteriorated condition of the old conservatory necessitated this essential upgrade. The envisioned extension aims to seamlessly integrate with the existing structure while introducing an open plan layout. By widening the opening between the dining area and the expanded kitchen space, the flow and connectivity of the house will greatly improve. Ultimately, this addition will not only enhance the overall design of the property but also significantly elevate its functionality.

We're excited and looking forward to the next phase of the design process. During this stage, we'll dive deeper into the project and focus on creating important details. These details will help with tender proposals and be crucial during construction.

First images of our new project for a loft extension in Hampton

We recently got planning approval for a loft extension project to a large detached house in Hampton. The project includes a new master bedroom, dressing area, a large bathroom and a new study opening on the extended staircase. We are now working on the detail design phase, more images will follow.

The client for this project provided Square One Architects with a brief that could be summarized as a loft extension for their Victorian 4-bedroom detached house located in the heart of Hampton and within the Hampton Village Conservation Area.

The property in question, an impressive large historic house built in the XIX century, was peculiar being detached from the neighboring property by a very narrow nominal gap.

The property had also been extended to the rear in more than one occasion and it featured a partly pitched and partly flat roof.

Unfortunately, the pitched roof did not have enough head height to form a habitable loft extension so one of the main requirements of the project from a planning perspective was to raise the ridge of the existing roof to meet the required standards.

It was agreed with the client to prepare a pre-planning application for a design that would involve raising the ridge of the existing roof and extending it towards the back. This configuration provided enough space for a master bedroom, a large bathroom, dressing area and a study.

Another request from the client was to keep the existing stair of the house as bright as possible. The presence of a very large skylight above the new stair and a large central shaft guarantees that this request is successful met.

Following the pre-planning application, the external look of the extension was slightly changed to introduce a mansard profile towards the rear and three conservation style dormers. This alteration was met very positively by the local authority that subsequently provided planning approval for the proposals.

The result is a very large loft extension that is in keeping with the character of the Conservation Area and at the same time addresses is all the targets that our clients included in the initial brief.

Renovation of a historic house in Hampton under way

We recently visited the construction site of one of our projects which involves internal and external alterations and refurbishment of a 1920’s historic house of Townscape Merit in the heart of Hampton. The works will be completed soon, and more pictures will follow.

The client approached Square One Architects in 2017 to carry out several alterations to the house. The core of the project was a conversion of an existing basement to a habitable space that would be used as a third bedroom and a home gym. The plans also included a new bathroom with sauna and shower.

In order to access the basement level, we designed a new stair that would connect all the levels of the property. The new modern stair replaced the existing one that connected ground and first floor levels only.  These changes to the existing stair also involved remodeling the existing entrance lobby at ground floor level.

The project also included several other alterations including a new pedestrian access to the house, two new skylights at first floor level, the complete refurbishment of an existing green house and new lighting throughout the property.

In this instance Square One Architects agreed the initial plans with the clients, obtained all the necessary planning permissions, developed technical details and successfully applied for building control approval in order to convert the basement to a habitable space.

It was a very interesting project for a unique building. The original structure dated back from the 1920’s and had been used as a boatyard initially. The property was then converted to a recording studio. Rumor says that Pink Floyd rehearsed in this building, which is not impossible given its proximity to Fred Karno's Houseboat Astoria, a floating recording studio owned by David Gilmour.

We can’t wait to visit the finished project and to publish the final project pictures!

Loft extension in Hampton given planning approval

We recently received planning approval for a large loft extension to a detached house in a Conservation Area. These projects are always challenging due to planning constraints, but working in close collaboration with the Council can lead to a very positive outcome. We are now very excited to start the Detail Design phase, more images will follow soon!

The project is for a very large loft extension within a Conservation Area and as it always happens in these cases we had to go through several steps before receiving the formal approval.

The first one was to discuss the project with our clients and agree the overall design of the extension. Following this we sent the drawings to the Council to receive pre-planning application advice.

In this circumstance the pre-planning application proved to be extremely useful. We were able to engage in a very constructive conversation with the council and agree a design that would satisfy all the parties involved.

Our initial proposal was for a very modern looking loft extension including metal cladding and large doors and windows. The project also involved raising the ridge and the eaves of the existing roof.

Given the conservation status of the area we were not surprised when we received the first feedback from the council that suggested to use a more traditional language externally. We amended the proposals to include a mansard roof and smaller traditional looking dormers facing the rear of the property. We also included several roof lights that would not be visible from the street.

In the grand scheme of things this worked very well for us because we essentially achieved the same amount of space that we initially proposed. The daylight intake that we lost by reducing the size of doors and windows to the rear was regained by using skylights placed in strategic positions.

The result will be a gorgeous open space that will take advantage of a significant head height that matches the first floor of the property and very adequate daylight intake.

We can wait to see the project build and we'll update the blog in due course

Loft extension in the Hampton Conservation Area: new video under construction

We recently visited our project for a loft extension in a Conservation Area. This video shows the transition between the new stair to landing to the new master bedroom and en-suite.

The client approached Square One Architects in 2018 with the specific brief for their three-bedroom semi-detached house in the Hampton Village Conservation Area.

The intention was to use the loft of their property as a new master bedroom with an en suite. The room would take advantage of some very interesting views to the rear towards the Hampton Water Works and unobstructed daylight.

Given the fact that the property was in a Conservation Area, we suggested the client to go through a pre-planning procedure in order to obtain an informal feedback from the Council.

This was very useful, and it helped inform a second iteration of the design that included a mansard roof and two smaller lead dormers that was deemed to be more in keeping with the existing property and the character of the Conservation Area in general.

The original stair of the property, connecting the ground floor and the first floor, was very steep and its head height was already quite limited. One of the challenges of this project was to design the new stair contacting the first floor and second floor without further compromising the already limited head height at first floor level. Thanks to a very precise 3D model we managed to foresee the exact dimensions of the new stair in relationship to the existing one and this helped tremendously our communication with building control and the stair’s supplier before and during construction stage.

This loft conversion video was taken around the end of the construction process. The room feels bright and spacious and take advantage of the generous amount of daylight from the two new windows to the rear and two large skylights installed at the front of the property. The new bathroom was installed within the eaves of the roof and it is naturally lit by one further skylight facing the front of the dwelling.

More images to follow soon.

Loft extension in the Conservation Area in Hampton Village

Check out our new video of a loft extension project in Hampton Conservation area. See the construction progress and attention to detail as the extension comes together. This addition includes a spacious landing area, a beautiful master bedroom, and a luxurious en-suite bathroom. Watch as this empty space is transformed into a modern yet charming design.

The client initially approached Square One Architects back in 2017 with the exciting project of extending their charming 3-bed semidetached house in Hampton. This property, situated within the Hampton Village Conservation Area, held great potential for an expansion. With a vision to create a spacious haven, the client specifically wanted to extend the loft area to craft a master bedroom complete with an en-suite bathroom.
Upon examining the property, we discovered that it already featured an existing gable roof, which conveniently provided an internal height of approximately 2.8m. This height proved sufficient to accommodate our proposed loft extension, sparing us the need for major alterations to the ceilings below. With this positive starting point, we engaged in extensive discussions with the client regarding the planning strategy for their renovation.
Considering the property's location within the Conservation Area, we mutually agreed to take a proactive approach by submitting a pre-planning application. This strategic move allowed us to seek preliminary feedback from the Council, ensuring our design aligned seamlessly with the neighborhood's rich architectural heritage. By involving the local authorities early on, we could streamline the planning and approval process, thus reducing potential delays.
To optimize space utilization within the property, we strategically positioned the new staircase for seamless connectivity between the first and second floors. By aligning it with the existing stairway, we minimized any unnecessary loss of space at the first floor level. This thoughtful design solution ensured that the loft extension harmoniously blended with the existing layout, enhancing both practicality and aesthetic appeal.
At Square One Architects, we pride ourselves on crafting solutions that not only cater to our clients' desires but also effectively navigate local regulations. This project in Hampton embodies our commitment to preserving the architectural integrity of heritage areas while tastefully elevating the living experience for homeowners.

NEW PROJECT IN BARNES NOW LIVE ON THE WEBSITE

Our project in Barnes Green Conservation area was recently completed and is now live on our website project list…

A rear extension, loft extension with 2 new dormers and internal alterations throughout have transformed our client’s home and we would love for you to take a look; Click here for more information and completion photos. Let us know what you think!

The client originally approached Square One Architects back in 2017 with an exciting project in mind - an extension to their 2-bed terraced house in the beautiful neighbourhood of Barnes, which happened to be located within a Conservation Area. As Architects, we understood the importance of preserving the existing while introducing new elements that would enhance the property in a manner that was in keeping with the existing historic environment.
One of the requests from the client was the design of a new lobby on the ground floor. This lobby served a dual purpose, not only creating a more discreet entrance to the house but also providing a protective measure for the staircase in case of fire. Additionally, we extended the existing kitchen at the rear of the property, utilizing a clever corner sliding door system to flood the ground floor area with natural daylight. To seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, we raised the patio to achieve a flush threshold.
Our scope of work extended beyond these key features. We also installed a new guest WC on the ground floor, cleverly utilizing the space under the staircase. Furthermore, we removed an existing chimney breast on both the ground and first floor to make way for the new design.
In terms of adding more space, we introduced new conservation rooflights and dormers that harmonized with the existing windows of the house. This enabled us to create a much-needed third bedroom at roof level. Additionally, we rearranged the existing staircase to ensure maximum head height on the second-floor landing and lowered the first-floor ceiling to optimize head height at the second-floor level.
At Square One Architects, we pride ourselves on not only meeting our clients' needs but also considering the surrounding environment. With this extension project in Barnes, we successfully struck a balance between preserving the character of the Conservation Area and introducing modern, practical elements that enhanced the functionality of the property.

Loft extension in Hampton Village under construction

This afternoon we visited our project in the Hampton Village Conservation Area to monitor the contractor’s progress on site and we were very pleased to see how well it is coming along!

This loft conversion will provide the family with an additional bedroom with an en-suite and storage as well as a new study space. Due to the location of the property within the conservation area our design is intentionally subtle so that it sits subserviently within the special architectural character of the area. Without the ability to place large dormers and extensions, we instead had the opportunity to play around with characterful dormers and flush roof lights to create a dynamic internal environment for our clients which not only provides them with new accommodation space but also fits within the context of the area.

This allowed to obtain planning approval without causing any delay to the overall process. Similar solutions were used in other projects elsewhere with great success.

You can also see a video of the interiors of the loft extension whilst being built by clicking here.

We look forward to seeing the final images of the project and will update this blog post as soon as these become available!

Flat in Primrose Hill

Square One Architects (SOA) have been appointed to conduct an extensive and detail-oriented feasibility study for the development of two luxurious flats in the serene and highly sought-after Primrose Hill neighbourhood. SOA will carefully analyse various aspects such as the local planning regulations, site conditions, and potential design options, all with the aim of providing our clients with comprehensive recommendations for the successful realization of their vision.

The client approached us with an exciting proposition to transform the roof space of one of their flats in Camden. Neighbouring developments served as inspirations and showcased the potential to utilize rooftops creatively, making the project even more promising.

On this occasion, Square One Architects will produce a comprehensive feasibility study proposal to include a new roof extension, aimed at transforming the existing structure into a new flat. Our team will explore potential design options, and consider the viability of the project from both an architectural and planning perspective. The proposed roof extension not only adds significant square footage to the property but also presents an exciting opportunity to optimize the use of space, enhance natural light, and create a modern living environment for future residents.

Following the preparation of a detailed sketch design, our next step will involve carefully assessing the feasibility of the roof extension project. To proceed, we intend to initiate a meaningful conversation with the Camden Council, utilizing their pre-planning application services. This proactive approach will allow us to gather valuable insights and guidance, ensuring that our design aligns effectively with the local regulations and requirements set forth by the council. By engaging in these discussions and leveraging the expertise of the Camden Council, we aim to streamline the approval process and create an innovative and compliant roof extension design for our client.