Why is London home to so many of the UK’s best Residential Architecture Firms?

Residential London architects represent some of the best UK architect talent. Extreme lack of space, high property prices, and comparatively wealthy clients, combine to create demands and expectations on London residential architecture firms that are not found elsewhere in the UK.

Lack of Space

Architecture firms in London are expected to provide innovative, highly functional, high-end residential property improvements and extensions, create extra space where hardly any space is available, and obtain planning permission from some of the toughest planners in the country. (Richmond is particularly tricky for planning).

A High Proportion of Period Properties and 100s of Conservation Areas

Many properties are old, boasting beautiful period features not found in modern properties. London Architects are challenged with adding the modern features to improve a client’s lifestyle, yet in a way that doesn’t detract from the property’s unique period charm and beauty.

Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian properties abound, ranging from the iconic rows of 3-storey terraces, to stately stone-built detached properties in the more leafy and spacious suburbs like Chiswick, Kensington, Chelsea, and Bromley.

The ability to sympathetically extend and refurbish period properties is key to obtaining planning permission, especially if you live in one of London’s many conservation areas.

Requirements For Sustainable Architecture

Sustainability is another key requirement that many London homeowners are looking for from their architect. They are typically more conscious of their environmental responsibilities than in other areas of the country. Therefore aspects such as energy savings, low carbon footprint, and the sustainability of materials used are all important considerations for London architects.

AURA specialise in sustainable residential architecture. From whether or not you need planning permission to install solar panels on your roof, through to ingenious ways to make your glass and metal extension as energy efficient as a traditional brick and mortar extension, we are passionate about improving the sustainability and eco-friendliness of our architecture.

High Property Values

Enhancing the value of a property is also a big consideration for London architecture firms. While tailoring a property to a client’s lifestyle is often the key request to the architect, at the same time, most clients are aware of the fact that a few subtle design differences can impact the property value by £100,000 or more, thanks to the high house prices in London. So striking a balance between what’s best for the client’s own needs, and what’s going to best enhance the value of the property, is something AURA are skilled in.

Lack of Natural Light

And last but not least, natural light is a huge consideration in London. The older properties traditionally have small windows, and modifications to period properties are not easy to obtain planning for, and over-crowding sometimes leading to blocked light from neighbouring properties.

Loft conversions and single-storey extensions are relatively easy to optimise for natural light, with skylights and floor to ceiling windows quickly providing an airy feel to improve your sense of well-being. But the best London architects can introduce natural light to just about any room in the house – see these examples of how we can draw natural light deep into residential properties, even basement extensions, with our creative home designs.