Need an excellent architect Post Reply

[nightmonkey]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an architect who has excellent vision and creativity? We have some building work to do, which is really quite tricky due to various reasons. It is not your standard side return or extention and we will need some creative solutions to utilise space which is protected in a conservation area. The most important part of this building project will be the architect, so we need to make sure we find the perfect person.

[Anna_Benett]

Hi!

I can recommend Michael Westthorp, we were working with him during renovation project of our house which included extension and loft conversion. He has great vision and lots of experience. Generally very pleasant and helpful person with whom it was a pleasure to work.
This is his email: mw@outline-projects.co.uk

[jimisayo]

Another recommendation is Phillip Masterman (RIBA) of Masterman Architects. He has plenty of experience, loves a creative challenge, is au fait with all building legislation updates and has over 22 years experience.

M: 07932 073595, T: 02037 000517

phillip@mastermanarchitects.com

[belld]

We have positive experience working in lambeth and wandsworth conservation areas creating exciting and challenging architecture.
We are an RIBA chartered practice. I would be happy to see if we could help.
Www.atelierdb.com

[Joe's Mum]

Robert Wilson at Granit Architects designed an extension to our quite unusual house and we are very happy with it. He is both creative and easy to work with.

http://www.granit.co.uk

[Cheesecake]

Hello we (Volker&Quinn: Thoughtful Foods a deli in Balham) used a local person called Frances Woram - she is not part of a big business and is very creative, solutions orientated and kept a really good balance of interpreting our wants and needs. While she is very technical and was able to put together an amazing spec so there were no surprise costs from the builder we eventually chose (this was also really useful for our builder to quote on) - I do think it is her creative style that stands out and she certainly knows materials and colours which was really helpful for us.
Frances pricing is very straight forward and fair.
Good luck.

[Tigermum]

Hi nightmonkey,

Phillip Masterman was recommended to us too, did a great job: http://www.mastermanarchitects.com/contact.html

Good luck and hope this helps x

[scrummymummy3]

hi nightmonkey,

I can't recommend the boys at draw enough. They were enthuasit about our project when we came to see them and were always on call throughout the process to help.

Here are their details www.draw-architecture.co.uk and their number is 020 8874 6749

Hope your project goes well, Ambs x

[workinghardmum]

Any qualified architect must have completed seven years of training, gained membership to RIBA and be registered with the Architects’ Registration Board (ARB), the independent registration body for architects in the UK. So a good place to start your search is RIBA’s Client Services, which holds a database of more than 4,000 practices along with information on the type of work each practice undertakes and information on past projects. You can request a free shortlist of practices tailored to suit your needs, search the directory online, or contact one of its 13 regional offices.
www.arb.org.uk link to ARB
www.architecture.com link to RIBA

[nightmonkey]

Thank you very much!!!

[Ensoul.co.uk]

We specialise in creative architectural and interior design and are focused on South West London. Basements, side returns, loft conversions and rear additions all designed and manged by us from first sketch through to planning approval.

We can then provide interior design services, sourcing & buying of fixtures, fittings and furniture and project management wrapped around your entire project.

Proud to be selected for Spear's List 2016 and House & Garden "The List 2016". Check us out here: www.ensoul.co.uk

[belld]

many clients we are approached by are totally unaware of the difference between Architect and Architectural Designer.
An Architect is skilled to advise clients on the whole process, including (importantly) contract selection and valuations throughout the build. so many people put all their eggs in one basket and use a builder from start to finish, which i don't believe is the best way to look after your most important asset and make sure you are getting best value, best design, best build.

[Ensoul.co.uk]

Eggs in one basket definitely a bad idea. Builder having total control, never wise. But one highly experienced and talented company to pull every strand together and independently project manage a series of specialists and a trusted and fully vetted builder, definitely a winner.

Where independent valuations are desired, we advise bringing in a quantity surveryor - that is afterall their specialism.

[sebastianbear]

Hi

We've also had good experience with Robert Wilson (Granit). We had a very difficult, angled space for our extension (also in a conservation area), which required a lot of creative thinking - the result is stunning and works really well.

He also totally changed the layout of the first floor of another house we know, turning 2 d beds, 1 bath into 3 double beds, 2 baths + landing and stairs to the loft conversion. The whole house now feels lighter and much more spacious.

[kirstysimone]

Please do excuse me for me being naive, but if you invite an architect to come around your house to give his/her opinion on redesigning your home. Do you need to pay them for your time?