As Londoners, our homes are at the centre of our lives, serving as a setting for a wide range of activities and becoming even more central with the rise of working from home. Our homes are where we live, relax, host our friends, sleep, raise a family, plan for the future, and invest our money.
It’s no wonder that we want our homes to be a space where we’re comfortable, whilst ensuring that it’s functional and aesthetically pleasing. If you’re looking to make architectural improvements to your London property, working with a London Architect is the best way to ensure that your renovations are successful.
Here are our top architectural improvements for London properties, all of which can be expertly handled by an experienced architect:
Table of Contents
Extensions
Adding extra floor area to your home can be a great way to give you more space, and an architect can help you determine the best type of extension for your property.
There are many different types of extensions to consider, such as rear, roof, side, and infill extensions. You’ll also need to decide on the height, roof style, and materials for your extension. An architect can help you weigh the pros and cons of each option and come up with a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Once you have a design in mind, your architect can guide you through the planning approval process. In London, most extensions will require planning permission, and a London-based architect can help you navigate the application process and ensure that your plans comply with local regulations.
Making bigger spaces
If you have a number of small rooms on the ground floor of your house, an architect can help you remove the walls to create a large, multi-purpose space. This can be a great way to make your home feel more open and spacious, and it can also improve the flow of traffic and the way different areas of your home connect with each other.
However, it’s important to remember that opening up spaces can be more complex than it seems. Structural issues may need to be addressed, and the services (electricity, gas, water, etc.) in the ceiling may need to be rerouted.
Additionally, removing internal walls can alter fire protection in your home, so you may need to work with a structural engineer and seek approval from Building Control. An architect can help you understand the technical aspects of opening up and come up with a plan that addresses all of these issues.
Adding more natural light
New windows or roof lights can bring in natural light and improve the view, but it’s important to work with an experienced London-based architect to ensure that they are placed correctly and that the architectural appearance of your property is respected.
They can help you choose the right size, style, and placement of your windows and roof lights, taking into account factors such as orientation, privacy, and views.
You’ll also need to consider whether your new windows will require planning permission. In some cases, adding new windows may be considered a “permitted development,” meaning that you don’t need to apply for planning permission.
However, there are limits on the size, placement, and type of windows that can be installed without permission, and an architect can help you understand what’s allowed and what’s not.
Redecorating
The atmosphere of a home can be greatly transformed by simple renovations such as painting, installing new flooring, updating the kitchen or bathroom, adding new lighting fixtures, and updating furniture. This is why the interior design industry has grown so large and why there are countless home makeover shows available on TV and online.
While these interior changes are often straightforward to execute, as long as the house is not designated as a historical building, it is crucial to use good judgement and coordination in order to achieve the desired outcome. That’s where the expertise of interior designers and architects comes into play.
They not only focus on the overall design, but also take care of the finer details to ensure a cohesive and harmonious look. Indeed, it’s been said that “the devil is in the details.”
There are many other architectural improvements that can be made to London properties, and the best ones will depend on your individual needs, tastes, and budget. By working with a London architect, you can explore the options and find the right solutions for your home.
