House extension
London architect guide
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. Below we have selected some projects to lend architectural inspiration and design ideas for your house extension.
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.
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; admittedly this seems to be the case especially with new-built houses and flats. Ultimately however, it is the genuine quality of the space around us that is essential for a happy life.
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, 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 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. 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?”
- “What are the top three things we like about the house, 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 to be focused?”
- “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?”
Muswell Hill Haringey N10 Side kitchen extension by GOAStudio London residential architecture – Breakfast bar area
House extensions London architect guide – Types and options for your home project
House extensions can be grouped in a variety of ways.
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.
Or 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.
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.
