Our architecture company is conveniently located in the heart of Greenwich, and we work on residential projects primarily in Greenwich, Abbey Wood, Blackheath, Charlton, Eltham, Kidbrooke, Maze Hill, Mottingham, Plumstead, Westcombe Park and Woolwich.
Since 2013, we’ve been working with the planning and building control departments of Royal Borough of Greenwich on projects from extensions to new build houses. So, as architects in Greenwich, 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 BR7, DA15, DA16, SE10, SE12, SE13, SE18, SE2, SE28, SE3, SE7, SE8, SE9
Greenwich is one of the three London boroughs with Royal Borough status. It was the birthplace of Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Maritime Greenwich is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – it contains the Queen’s House (designed by Inigo Jones), the Old Royal Naval College (Christopher Wren), Greenwich Park and (in the park) the Royal Greenwich Observatory.
The prime meridian used as a basis for determining locations and time zones around the world was chosen because it runs through Greenwich. The area’s importance in the history of navigation and world trade is commemorated by the 19th-century clipper ship Cutty Sark, which sits by the Thames.
Spectacular as it is, Greenwich Park is just one of the many open spaces in the borough. Blackheath is probably the most famous, but don’t miss out on Oxleas Wood or Woolwich Common. Beyond the World Heritage Site, other Grade I listed buildings include Charlton House and parts of the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich.
Perhaps the most unusual of the borough’s masterpieces is Eltham Palace, which has both a medieval great hall and a 1930s wing with probably the finest Art Deco interiors in England. The 21st century, meanwhile, is represented by the 02 Arena, which was built as the Millennium Dome and designed by Richard Rogers.
There’s a wide range of settings as you travel through Greenwich. There are still some stretches along the Thames where it remains a working river. There’s extensive recent docklands residential redevelopment into high-end flats, especially on the Greenwich Peninsula, but also at the Royal Arsenal site in Woolwich.
There’s also some 1980s dockland housing that is low-rise and very suburban, usually arranged as cul-de-sacs. The most ambitious attempt at place-making is the lushly landscaped Greenwich Millenium Village.
The historic fabric is protected by the borough’s 23 conservation areas. Along with the significant Jacobean buildings, there are a substantial number of surviving Georgian houses and many excellent Victorian and Edwardian ones. There are also stretches of large houses built between the two world wars, especially as you get towards Eltham.
In the west of the borough, houses are mostly in London stock brick (which, if you don’t know it, is the yellowy one). Further east, you see more red brick and renders.
In the year ending March 2023, the Royal Borough of Greenwich received 1,719 planning applications. Of these, 74% were approved. This is lower than average for a London council.
Our expertise in planning applications means we have a 97% success rate of getting planning permission for our clients (across all councils). Greenwich, being our base, is a place where we have a deep knowledge of the workings of the local authority, increasing your chances of getting planning consent in an area where a “yes” from the council is tougher than in most of London.
As architects in Greenwich, our projects for homeowners in Greenwich range from home extensions, loft conversions and full refurbishment and renovation works. With Greenwich’s high number of listed buildings and its extensive conservation areas, our expertise in sensitively renovating and updating homes can make a crucial difference.
Whether you want an extension that will transform how your house feels inside and out or you have a large dwelling house that you want to convert into flats, the Urbanist Architecture team would love to help.
As Greenwich architects, our projects for developers in Greenwich range from property conversions and small to medium-scale new build housing schemes. We have a strong track record of getting the most from small and constrained plots.
We have a powerful understanding of the architectural legacy of Greenwich and a strong working relationship with the Greenwich Council’s planning department. We can make your dreams of a profitable development in Greenwich reality.
“ We appointed UA to propose a modern redesign of our home to maximise its potential and achieve planning permission within a conservation area. The team produced a really creative design that was beyond our expectations. We were absolutely delighted with the proposal, which will transform our home into a better quality light-filled space. UA was a pleasure to work with, highly professional and responsive. The documentation and drawings produced for the planning application were of exceptional quality. ”
Sinead M — London
“ I am very happy with the service I received from Urbanist Architecture. They were delightful to deal with and provided an excellent service. Most significantly, I got the planning permission I hoped for. ”
Kate W. — London
“ Urbanist Architecture took the greatest pride and care in our project, they nurtured it as if it was their own, and demonstrated such professionalism and confidence that cannot be found elsewhere. We received our planning permission with great surprise. ”
Rackesh P. — London
“ We've been overwhelmed by the amount of time and dedication Mr Ufuk Bahar has spent on our project. He has been extremely professional when dealing with the council and applying for planning permission. ”
Kate A. — London
“ Good service - I would recommend. I found them to be very efficient at dealing with my planning amendments and kept me updated throughout the process which had a good outcome. They are also friendly and easy to deal with. Overall, a good experience. ”
Robert H. — 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
Greenwich, as our base, is a place where we have an even deeper knowledge of the workings of the local authority, increasing your chances of getting planning consent in an area where a “yes” from the council is tougher than in most of London.
BA(Hons) MA
Managing Director
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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