We work on residential projects primarily in Camden, Camden Town, Kentish Town, Dartmouth Park, Fitzrovia, Bloomsbury, King’s Cross, Chalk Farm, Primrose Hill, Gospel Oak, Hampstead and Highgate.
Since 2013, we’ve been working with the planning and building control departments of Camden Council on projects from extensions to new build houses, so we know their local planning policies, building regulations and requirements inside out.
Recognised as one of the best residential architecture firms in London, we work across the entire residential architecture spectrum with construction budgets of 100k - 10m. With a proven track record delivering home extensions, flat conversions, HMOs, new build houses and flats, we deliver incredibly successful projects for national house builders and seasoned property developers right through to first-time investors and homeowners.
Throughout the planning, design, and construction journey's highs and lows, you'll find our team open, communicative, and down-to-earth. Unlike numerous architecture practices, we consistently endeavour to underpromise and overdeliver.
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The areas we cover are EC1M, EC1N, EC1R, N1, N19, N1C, N6, N7, NW1, NW1W, NW2, NW3, NW5, NW6, NW8, W1T, W9, WC1A, WC1B, WC1E, WC1H, WC1N, WC1R, WC1V, WC1X, WC2A, WC2B, WC2H
Camden starts only a few minutes walk from the Thames and rises until you are high over London on Hampstead Heath. In the minds of most Londoners, it’s a densely urban borough, but along with the Heath (looked after by the Corporation of London rather than Camden council), the borough has a slice of Regent’s Park and all of Primrose Hill. The importance of those views down from the heights is protected by planning policy.
Key buildings include the British Museum and Kenwood House. But the real star of the show is smaller: Sir John Soane’s Museum, which is three extraordinary houses designed by the early 19th architect. The Victorians gave us King’s Cross Station and the extravagant hotel now called St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel.
Camden also contains one of the most important modernist buildings in London: the Grade I Isokon Flats in Belsize Park, completed in 1934.
For visitors in their late teens and early twenties, Camden will forever be associated with the markets near the Regent’s Canal in Camden Town itself.
A tour of the many architectural styles of Camden should probably start with the elegant Regency squares of Bloomsbury.
If you wanted to think of housing that’s typical of the borough, think of a tall Victorian building with butterfly roofs, usually built in yellow London brick darkened by time, sometimes with stucco fronts on the ground floor. In Primrose Hill, we get streets with full stucco façades often painted in pastel shades.
Hampstead is the most expensive part of the borough and one where a group of residents fought hard against the arrival of a famous fast-food chain. But the area is more architecturally varied than you might expect, with Regency stucco mixing with redbrick late Victorian as well as excellent 20th-century homes.
Some of the most architecturally outstanding social housing in London can be found in the borough, especially the work of Neave Brown, who worked in the architecture department of Camden council in the 1960s and 70s. Brown designed Dunboyne Road Estate, the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate and houses on Winscombe Street, all of which are listed. In contrast to a popular myth that claimed that modern architects all actually lived in Georgian houses while imposing concrete on the population, Brown lived at Winscombe Street and then for many years in a flat at Dunboyne Road. Even if you don’t know his work by name, you will have probably seen the Alexandra and Ainsworth because it’s a popular location for films, TV, pop videos and ads.
Sharing the sloping terraces of Brown’s work, but not designed by him, is the Brunswick in Bloomsbury, a popular shopping centre with housing above.
Bringing us up to date, there is the huge redevelopment of King’s Cross, a mixture of corporate headquarters, luxury flats and academic buildings. There’s a variety of architectural styles, too, from high-tech to brick-clad blocks.
In the year ending March 2023, Camden had a 91% approval rate for planning applications, one of the highest in London.
Statistics also show there is a high number of listed building consent applications in the borough. To thrive in Camden, architects and planners need to know their way around conservation area guidelines and find smart ways to work with heritage assets. Urbanist Architecture has a strong record of working with listed and other protected buildings.
Our projects for homeowners in Camden include house extensions, roof conversions and property refurbishments and renovations. We have worked in Camden’s conservation areas and have experience in getting the most room for our clients while obeying the exacting heritage standards that apply in many parts of the borough.
Our projects for developers in Camden Council include flat conversions and new build homes, and extensions of properties to maximise the space available for tenants. We are familiar with the demands involved in dense urban places, including dealing with air quality problems and making sure that neighbouring properties don’t lose light or have their privacy undermined.
“ I was very impressed by Nicole’s responsiveness. She was amazing from the very beginning to the end. She saw the potential of my planning application and fully supported me throughout the application process. I just got my approval, can't thank her enough. ”
George P. — London
“ I am really happy to leave a 5 star review, as Urbanist Architecture are just great. I managed to find them through Google and after a quick look on their web page I was sure they would be the right company for the Planning application I needed to do. I worked mostly with Nicole and honestly I can say that she is a very professional and responsible person. I am highly recommending UA and Nicole to any one who is seeking top service and positive vibes. Thank you. ”
Radoslav S. — London
We are a multidisciplinary team of architects, planning consultants, interior designers and project managers offering multiple services under one roof. When you work with our firm, you have the support of our entire studio behind you - no matter what.
Unprecedented planning results with our unique 6-step system
Artistically curated buildings with truly unique and lasting appeal
Lifestyle-led living with exquisite, inspirational and refined concepts
Neighbourhoods with sensitive, pragmatic and imaginative urbanism
Extensions with extra space, light, comfort and good vibes
Conversion of houses into multiple flats with greatest return
Custom houses with refined and beautifully proportioned spaces
Block of flats with maximum value and commercial viability
New use class system with huge opportunities and flexibility
HMO conversions with decent standards and maximum yields
We specialise in crafting creative design and planning strategies to unlock the hidden potential of developments, secure planning permission and deliver imaginative projects on tricky sites
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