RESI Overview – Blackstone Architects

RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS OVERVIEW

Blackstone Architects have worked on many house types: Bungalows, Period Properties, Detached Properties, Apartments and New Builds.

We have also worked on many different types of extensions and conversions, such as:

Rear Extensions
Loft Dormers & Conversions
Wrap-Around & Side Returns
Double Storey (Side & Rear)
Apartments: Extensions & Lofts
New Apartments
One-Off Houses
Bungalows
Dwellings to Apartments
Home Office/Garden Rooms/Garage Conversions

See below for an overview of the design considerations for each of these types of projects and a summary of Blackstone Architect’s approach.

STUNNING REAR EXTENSIONS

At Blackstone Architects, we have successfully designed and delivered hundreds of rear extensions, transforming homes of all sizes into light-filled, open-plan spaces. Whether it’s a spacious kitchen-diner, a family snug, or a multifunctional living area, our designs are focused on creating homes that flow seamlessly and make the most of natural light and garden views.

Our Standard Design Process Includes:

Tailored Layout Options: We offer a variety of plan options to reconfigure existing layouts and ensure that the new extension integrates seamlessly with your home’s current design.
Roof Options: Choose from different roof styles to suit your aesthetic and functional needs:
Flat Roof with Lanterns: A contemporary design that brings in natural light and offers a modern aesthetic.
Pitched Roof with Velux Rooflights: A traditional look that maximises light.
MaximiseGarden Views: Large glazed doors and windows to create a strong connection between your indoor and outdoor spaces.
Prior Approval Applications: For larger extensions (ranging from 4-8m), we handle the Prior Approval application process to ensure that your extension meets all necessary requirements.

Our experienced team works closely with you throughout the design process, from initial concept to planning approval, ensuring a stress-free experience and a final result that enhances both the functionality and aesthetic appeal of your home.

EXPERT LOFT CONVERSION SPECIALISTS

With over 100 successful loft conversion projects completed, Blackstone Architects offers comprehensive services tailored to your needs. Our expertise includes:

Planning Applications & Certificates of Lawfulness: Expert management of planning applications or certificates of lawfulness for Permitted Development works, streamlining the approval process.
Full Drawing Packages: Detailed architectural plans and co-ordination with a structural engineer to ensure the success of your loft conversion.
Building Control Approval: We produce accurate, detailed working drawings to ensure compliance with building regulations and secure the necessary approvals.

Whether you’re looking to add extra living space or enhance your property’s value, Blackstone Architects is here to guide you every step of the way.

Rear dormers with soft edges
Bungalows
Hip to gable with rear dormer
Period Properties (L-Shape Dormers)
Dormers to Apartments requiring Planning.

WRAP-AROUND & SIDE EXTENSIONS

Wrap-around extensions are a versatile solution for homeowners seeking to maximise living space, improve layout and flow, and increase natural light. Offering a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor areas, these extensions provide a number of key benefits:

Maximise Living Space: Create additional space, such as open plan kitchen diners, home office or larger living areas to suit your needs.
Increased Natural Light: Large windows or doors, roof lights and open-plan designs allow more light to flood your home creating a brighter, more inviting space.
Stunning Garden Views: Unlike some other types of extensions, wrap-arounds can preserve or even enhance your garden area, offering beautiful views and creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Improved Layout & Flow: Enhance the functionality of your home with a more open and connected layout.

Blackstone Architects has extensive experience designing and delivering successful wrap-around rear and side extensions. We understand the intricacies of maximizing space and creating layouts that enhance both functionality and the overall value of your property.

DOUBLE STOREY SIDE & REAR EXTENSIONS

Blackstone Architects has extensive experience designing and delivering double storey side extensions to create additional bedrooms, bathrooms, and walk-in wardrobes on the first floor. These extensions are a popular choice for homeowners looking to increase space without compromising the character of their property.

Key Considerations for Double Storey Extensions:

Side Extensions: When designing double storey side extensions, it’s important to ensure they are subservient to the existing house. This is typically achieved by stepping back the front elevation of the first floor, allowing the extension to blend harmoniously with the original structure while adding valuable space.
Rear Extensions: Double storey rear extensions must be carefully planned to minimize impact on the light and amenity of neighbouring properties. Thoughtful design ensures that your extension adds space and functionality while maintaining good relationships with neighbours and complying with local planning regulations.

At Blackstone Architects, we have successfully obtained planning approval for numerous double storey side and rear extensions. Our expert team works closely with clients to ensure that designs are both practical and in keeping with the aesthetics of the existing home.

APARTMENTS

Blackstone Architects have worked on a wide range of apartment projects, including ground floor extensions, loft conversions, and reconfigurations of high-end apartments to create additional bedroom and living areas.

Expertise:

Ground floor apartment extensions
Loft conversions for top-floor apartments
Reconfiguration of high-end apartments to create additional bedrooms

Planning Considerations:

Apartments typically do not have permitted development rights
All proposed additions must be carefully designed and submitted for local authority approval

Below are the examples

Kensington
Great Portland Street
Arun Highgate
Bruce Grove

LARGE APARTMENT DEVELOPMENTS

At Blackstone Architects, we focus on transforming sites into high-quality residential apartment complexes. Our process includes:

Site Assessment & Potential Analysis: Collaborating with developers to assess and maximize the potential of each site.
Planning & Approvals: Working alongside planning consultants to navigate local regulations and secure approvals.
Comprehensive Design: Producing detailed planning and working drawings to replace existing dwellings with contemporary apartment layouts.
Maximising Functionality: Designing apartments that meet the demands of modern urban living with efficient use of space.
Aesthetic Integration: Creating designs that enhance the surrounding environment and contribute positively to the neighbourhood.

ONE-OFF HOUSES

At Blackstone Architects, we specialise in designing bespoke one-off houses tailored to our clients’ needs. Our expertise includes:

Subdividing Existing House Plots: Securing planning approval to create new dwellings by subdividing existing plots, maximising site potential without compromising quality.
Enhancing Kerb Appeal: Undertaking projects where we significantly improve the aesthetic appearance and street presence of existing properties, particularly focusing on front elevations.
Bespoke Design Solutions: Crafting unique, site-specific designs that balance functionality with architectural flair, ensuring each house is a distinctive and personal living space.
Planning & Approval Expertise: Navigating the complexities of the planning process to ensure a smooth journey from concept to completion.

BUNGALOWS

Transformations: We specialise in converting single-storey bungalows, making extensive changes to the ground floor and adding a new sensitively designed first floor.
Space Expansion: These transformations significantly increase floor space, converting a 2-bedroom bungalow into a spacious home with 5 or more bedrooms.
Modern Upgrades: Our designs include modern bedrooms with en-suites and walk-in wardrobes, optimising both style and functionality.

DWELLING TO APARTMENTS

We have worked on a number projects, enlarging and or converting existing dwellings into apartments, requiring careful planning and design adjustments.

Some Planning Considerations:
- Ensuring that minimum internal space requirements for each apartment are met, in compliance with local authority guidelines.
- Adequate parking provisions as per local zoning or housing association standards.
- Sufficient amenity space for each apartment, including access to shared outdoor spaces or recreational areas.

Some Technical Design Considerations:
- EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating requirements for the buildings. This often requires incorporating energy-efficient systems, insulation, and materials into the designs.
- Acoustic impact management, specifically addressing issues of airborne sound transfer between units. This will be crucial for ensuring privacy and comfort for the apartment occupants.
- Party Wall Design: As you’re working with acoustic consultants, the design of party walls will need to be detailed in terms of sound insulation and compliance with local acoustic regulations.

Collaboration with Consultants:

We have established relationships with a number of consultants to produce the technical drawings:

Acoustic Consultants: These specialists help ensure that the designs of the walls, floors, and ceilings between apartments meet the required soundproofing standards.
Energy Consultants: These professionals help ensure that the energy efficiency standards for the building are met, advising on insulation, heating, and electrical systems to improve the building’s EPC rating and comply with SAPs.
Party Wall Consultants: These consultants assist in the planning and execution of party wall agreements and help design the structural and soundproofing elements that meet legal and comfort standards.

Deliverables:

Working Drawings: As a result of these collaborative efforts, we produce a set of working drawings that integrate all of the necessary planning, structural, and technical requirements. These will include:
- Detailed floor plans
- Cross-sections of the building showing acoustic and thermal insulation layers
- Schematic layouts for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems
- Details for party wall constructions and other structural elements to ensure sound insulation

With these considerations, your projects are likely designed to create comfortable, efficient, and legally compliant living spaces that can meet the needs of both local authorities and future residents.

HOME OFFICE/GARDEN ROOMS/GARAGE CONVERSIONS

We have worked on many garden home office or gym projects. These can be popular solutions for creating additional living or working space within the boundaries of a property.

Garden Home Offices and Gyms: These projects allow homeowners to create dedicated spaces for work or leisure, separate from their main living areas. With more people working from home, and an increased focus on health and fitness, these types of conversions have become a practical way of improving the functionality of a property.

Multifunctional Spaces: Many homeowners are choosing to create flexible spaces that can serve multiple purposes, such as combining a gym with an office, or designing a garden room that can be used for both work and relaxation.

Some Key Planning Considerations:

Permitted Development (PD) Rights:
- As with many garden structures, these projects may fall under Permitted Development Rights, meaning full planning permission may not be required if certain conditions are met.
- Size and Height: PD rights typically allow for garden offices or gyms with a maximum height of 2.5 metres if within 2 metres of a boundary, and up to 4 metres for a building with a pitched roof, subject to other restrictions.
- Ancillary Use: The building must remain ancillary to the main dwelling. This means the structure must not be used as an independent residential unit (e.g., it cannot be rented out as a separate dwelling). The use of the garden room should be related to the needs of the primary household.
- Location: The building must be placed at the rear of the property and not in front of the house. The garden building should not cover more than 50% of the garden area, ensuring that sufficient outdoor space remains.
Building Regulations:
- - Even if the project falls under Permitted Development, Building Regulations still apply, especially for projects involving electrical work, insulation, or structural changes.
  - Insulation and Heating: To ensure comfort year-round, the space may need to meet certain thermal performance standards. This can include appropriate wall and roof insulation, and possibly heating systems.
  - Ventilation: Adequate ventilation should be incorporated to ensure air quality, especially for gyms or other spaces where people may work out or spend extended periods of time.
  - Safety and Access: Adequate fire safety measures (such as fire exits and smoke detectors) may need to be considered, and access to the garden room should be safe and practical.

We can produce the drawings and submit the necessary planning and building control drawings.