Flat extensions
London architect guide
Inspiration and ideas
Below we have selected some projects to lend architectural inspiration and design ideas for extending or renovating your property with some flat extensions architect advice and insights.
Flat extensions London architect guide – Design aspirations and key considerations
The architectural elements and design ideas are not what primarily create the essence of ‘home’. Yet the created spaces accommodate our everyday routines, activities, and little moments that make up our lives. Extending a flat is not just a box ticking exercise about floor plans, the number of bedrooms, cost per square foot, and Freeholder’s approvals. Ultimately it is the genuine quality of the spaces around us that are essential for a happy life.
You might find yourself walking in a rather small and modest flat that instantly makes you feel at home, the spaces seem to flow, there is a clear sense of orientation even if you have never set foot in this property before, and if you happen to look carefully you will probably find lots of storage space hidden away from view in the most surprising places. This is what we aim to achieve and we will need your help to understand what is important to you since this is what will drive our decision making. For such flat extensions architect advice is what you need to help you come up with a space that feels right.
During the design development stage we will get to explore lots of ideas, but you can start the process now by considering answers to questions as such:
- “How long do we plan to live in the property and how is our lifestyle likely to change over this time? What are the chances for a growing family, working from home, or picking up gardening as a hobby one day? Is this flat a place for us to grow into, or is it a stepping stone to our dream property?”
- “What are the top three things we like about the flat, and what are the top three things we want to change as part of extending and re-designing it?”
- “Do we have a specific budget ceiling, and where do we want the money spending to be focussed on? What are the special elements of the design we do not want to compromise and where can we be more flexible within the context of our budget?”
- “What are the provisions of my Lease, or Share of Freehold Agreement, and how do we need to go about securing Freeholder Approval for the building works?”
Flat extensions London architect guide – Types and options for your home project
The lack of residential space in London has seen more and more Victorian and Edwardian single family dwellings converted into single or multi-storey flats. Sometimes these conversions have been successful, but more often that not they have failed to provide accommodation of sufficient standards.
When it comes to possible options when it comes to flat extensions London largely depend on the relationship between the flat and the ground level:
Ground level | Garden flats can have a linear relationship with the garden, (the rear wall is of a straight line) or typically there is an L-shaped layout that opens up the flat both to the rear and side parts of the garden. Rear and side extensions look to add floor space, create better sightlines to the garden, and improve access to natural light. They often require a complete redesign of the existing layout of the flat and such extensions look to create opportunities for larger kitchen areas and additional bedrooms.
Middle level | Extensions to such flats are near impossible unless there is a lower level roof area to build on. Rights to build over such roof areas need to be obtained by the owner of the flat and there are also Freeholder approval issues to consider on top of any other Local Authority permissions required.
Upper level | Roof extensions, including mansard roof extensions when the property is in the right area, add substantial value and floor area to flats. It is worth remembering that flats do not have Permitted Development Rights under planning, which means that only small dormer extensions are typically allowed by the Council. What might be possible in design terms will mostly depend on the existing head heights in the loft space and how the staircase can be designed so it maximises the available habitable space while at the same time minimising any disruption to the level below. For such flat extensions architect advice is required and you need to speak to someone with experience in assessing how best the staircase will comply with the current Building Regulations.
BOROUGH SPECIFIC ARCHITECT AND PLANNING GUIDES FOR YOUR HOME PROJECT
Your local Council will have in place design and planning requirements for your home project and you will need to obtain planning approval for a wide range of extensions and alterations to your property.
When you get in touch we will offer you detailed advice about what is likely that your Council will approve and in the meantime we have prepared the following architectural and planning guides that include extracts of the relevant planning policy and examples of our projects in our Borough.
Barnet residential architect and planning guide, Camden residential architect and planning guide, Enfield residential architect and planning guide, Hackney residential architect and planning guide, Hammersmith Fulham residential architect and planning guide, Haringey residential architect and planning guide, Hounslow residential architect and planning guide, Islington residential architect and planning guide, Kensington and Chelsea Conservation architects, residential and planning guide, Lambeth residential architect and planning guide, Lewisham residential architect and planning guide, Newham residential architect and planning guide, Redbridge residential architect and planning guide, Richmond residential architect and planning guide, Tower Hamlets residential architect and planning guide, Waltham Forest residential architect and planning guide, Wandsworth residential architect and planning guide, Westminster residential architect and planning guide
HOME DESIGN
See our guides for ideas, inspiration and architectural advice for your home project.
Side extensions London residential guide, Rear extensions London residential guide, Kitchen extensions London residential guide, Roof extensions London residential guide, Residential renovations London guide, Mansard roof extensions London residential guide, Contemporary extensions London residential guide, Flat extensions London residential guide, Garden flat extensions London residential guide, House extensions London residential guide
Also see our latest Conservation area architects - London architectural and heritage guide and Listed Building architects - London architectural and heritage guide.
We have prepared a guide on the type of Architectural plans you will need for your home project, and another guide for Terraced house extension plans that includes advice on detached and semi-detached properties as well.
ARCHITECT SERVICES
See what we can do for you.
Introducing GOAStudio London residential architecture limited
“George Omalianakis Architecture Studio – GOAStudio London residential architecture” was set up in 2009 to provide architectural services and assist home owners with their residential projects across London.
George Omalianakis is a multi-award winning chartered architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB), and has extensive experience in working on a variety of residential, commercial and educational sectors.
Which? magazine residential expert and contributor. Ideal Home magazine residential expert and contributor. Member of the Green Register of Construction professionals.
