Architect’s Advice

I hate it when my clients are worried. Of course, some worry is normal – be it a renovation or a new build, these projects are amongst biggest investments they will ever make and reassuring them is half my job. But this past year I’ve noticed they’re especially anxious, and they have every reason to…

A reversal of planning policy has put Richmond self builders once again at risk of being billed tens of thousands of pounds in Affordable Housing Contributions. Last November, small scale developments of ten units or less with a combined floor space of no more than 1000sqm were granted exemption from AHCs – easily covering self…

Carlo Scarpa was a tireless innovator who mastered traditional materials and crafts so that he could reinvent them in designs that perfectly harmonised period and contemporary architecture. What’s more, he achieved this in midcentury Venice, a building environment so conservative and controlled that it makes central London look anarchic in comparison. He was well loved…

Back in May I attended the Chelsea Flower Show, one of the biggest gardening showcases in the UK where many of the world’s most talented garden designers show off their latest work. Some spectacular innovations are still on my mind today, such as water dyed to increase its reflectivity and mirrored, geometric planting boxes that…

For years, I’ve used a little motto to describe how we work at DGA: design from the inside out. These few words have many meanings, from how we bring out what’s inside a client’s mind to our symbiosis of interior and architectural design. But today, I want to talk about the relationship between inside and…

The government recently released their plans for increasing productivity in the UK, outlined in an 82 page proposal titled “Fixing the Foundations: Creating a More Prosperous Nation”. It covers everything from education, infrastructure and – most importantly for us – home building. In an effort to address the roadblocks in solving the housing crisis, the…

Across London, basement extensions and conversions are facing increasing scrutiny. Back in December, I wrote about the limits the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea had placed on basements of two or more storeys below ground, banning 120 applications in the process. Westminster since tightened their regulations and now Wandsworth has followed suit. My opinion…

Alvar Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer of interiors, furniture and objects. In his 50 year career spanning from the 1920s to the 70s he displayed a rare and complete mastery of materials – from wood and glass to concrete and brick – forever changing how each is implemented in both commercial and domestic…

If you’ve been following our work, you’ll be familiar with our goal of creating dream homes. To me, this is far more than a self-aggrandizing tagline, it’s an incredibly complicated and personal concept, one that takes into account the past, present and future lives of my clients. When working with a couple – as we…

Last month, I shared some insight into how to choose the ideal property for renovation, a process I’ve been through myself a number of times. Now it’s time to talk about what happens next. There are two major roadblocks to a successful renovation: achieving all work within budget and passing planning approval. Let’s start with…