Inspiration and ideas

London is home to a diverse typology of properties and home-owners with a variety of needs.

House extensions aim to create specific solutions to given needs and context, and no two projects are the same.

Consider GOAStudio as your house extension London architect and problem solver, who will help you create the right environment for your home and lifestyle requirements. House extensions types can be grouped in a variety of ways. 

As part of this house extension London architect guide we have selected some projects to lend architectural inspiration and design ideas for your house extension.

For more advice and information see the following:

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

• Do I need an architect for my extension or home project?
• Why work with an architect?
• How do architects calculate their fees?

Planning Portal

• Planning permission and Building Regulations advice for house extensions
• Do you need a planning permission for an extension?
• What are Permitted Development Rights?

For an explanation of the London planning application process read our guide to how planning permission works in London.

We can assess the appropriate approval route and provide planning permission support for your London extension.

House extensions London architect guide – Design aspirations and key considerations

The architectural elements and design ideas are not what primarily create the essence of a home. Yet the created spaces accommodate everyday routines, activities, and the little moments that make up our lives.

Building or extending a house is not just a box-ticking exercise about house building plans, the number of bedrooms, and cost per square foot.

You might find yourself walking in a rather small and modest house that instantly makes you feel at home, the spaces seem to flow, there is a clear sense of orientation even if you have never stepped in this house before.

This is what we aim to achieve for your home and we will need your help to understand what is important to you since this is what will drive our decision making.

If your project is primarily about creating a better kitchen, dining and family space, read how GOAStudio approaches kitchen extensions for London homes.

House extensions London architect guide – Types and options for your home project

House extensions can be grouped in a variety of ways.

By asking why to extend:

More space

Because families grow, kitchen areas are never large enough, and there is never enough storage space.

Better space

Because rooms can be dark, the living areas can be cut off from the garden, and because everybody likes the convenience of an en-suite in the master-bedroom.

Adding value

Because of stamp duty costs, the desire to step up the property ladder, and overall old good common sense.

All of the above

Because our clients rarely have a single reason when embarking on their project.

And we often have to work our way through considerations of practicality, cost, value, aesthetics, sustainability, and regulations before we put pen to paper and start with the design process.

By asking how to extend:

Going up

This includes roof extensions and creating additional floors above ground floor garages for example. Such extensions are the most economical way to add floor space to your property, however careful consideration is required to create a balance between the space added and any adjacent rooms.

Planning issues come into play as well in addition to issues such as of relative floor levels, the design of staircases, and the overall circulation flow across the property.

Going down

This is an expensive and construction-intensive way of adding floor space and is best avoided unless absolutely necessary, especially in the context of recent planning restrictions to basement extensions.

Intelligently designed basement levels can still feel spacious and airy, with access to natural light, and in specific parts of London they can still be good value for money.

Going out 

Rear and side extensions, by a single storey or more, traditional, contemporary, or a combination of both, typically aim to create a larger kitchen, dining and living space for the family.

At the same time such extensions can ignite a better relationship between the inside of the house and the rear garden.

They tend to become the heart of the house, both in terms of the day-to-day life, but also as that special part of the home you can really stamp your aesthetic on, and transform to taste.

All of the above

Because your needs might require a combination of solutions, and through the design development stage we will assess what is right for you and your project.

We provide architectural services for residential projects in the following London Boroughs:

Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster

Home design residential guides

• Side return extensions
• Rear extensions
• Kitchen extensions
• Roof extensions
• Residential renovations
• Mansard roof extensions
• Contemporary extensions
• Flat extensions
• Garden flat extensions
• House extensions

We specialise in

• Greener homes
• Retrofit and energy efficiency for older and traditional buildings
• Conservation areas
• Listed Buildings
• Homeowner architectural services
• Property developments architectural services