We work on residential projects in Upminister, Romford, Cranham, Emerson Park, Hornchurch, Rainham, Harold Wood, Havering-atte-Bower and Noak Hill.
Since 2013, we’ve been working with the planning and building control departments of Havering 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 the South-East of England, we work across the entire residential architecture spectrum with construction budgets of 200k - 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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This includes:
CM13, CM14, RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM7, RM9, RM11, RM12, RM13, RM14, RM15
Maybe we can give a bit of a sense of Havering from the contrast between two of our most recent projects in the borough. The first was for two new-build houses on the edge of a large social housing regeneration scheme. The second was an extension to a sweet (and listed) country cottage fully in the countryside. Completely contrasting places, both with something to tell you about Havering.
The borough sits at the eastern edge of Greater London, and much of it feels like it doesn’t belong in any city. Most of it sits in the Green Belt, and those parts that aren’t are still often fairly suburban.
There are more built-up spots - nobody is going to say the centre of Romford is anything other than emphatically urban - but generally, this a part of the world for people who like things spaced out, who appreciate walking along a street and suddenly finding a tennis club where you would expect houses.
Most of Havering is low-rise and residential, with Victorian, early 20th-century and later 20th-century houses predominating, plus a number of recent regeneration projects.
Probably the most interesting collection of homes can be found in what was built as Romford Garden Suburb in Gidea Park. These were designed for a competition in 1911, with more than 100 different architects involved. One of the ideas was “to bring the towns into the country and the country into the town”, which seems fitting for this part of the world. Walking around you get a clear sense of each house having had thought, care and individual details put into it. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the borough, and set a high standard we wish had been kept up elsewhere.
There are a few rather older buildings in Havering, including a handful of medieval churches - the oldest is St Helen & St Giles’s in Rainham, and our favourite is probably St Mary Magdalene in North Ockenden. Also in North Ockenden, the Victorian school has been converted into a pair of houses, and they are truly lovely.
In the year ending March 2023, Havering council received 1,915 planning applications and approved 75% of those applications submitted.
Our expertise in planning applications means we have a 97% success rate of getting planning permission for our clients (across all councils). Havering is a place where we have a deep knowledge of the workings of the local authorities. As our client, you will increase your chances of getting planning consent for your project by working with us.
With so much Green Belt in the borough, and so large plots abounding in the non-Green Belt neighbourhoods, carefully judged extensions and sizable permitted development garden buildings provide a lot of work around here.
As we have found, the knock-on effects of the many regeneration projects that have been going on in the more built-up parts of the borough create opportunities for smaller developers to carry out a bit of gentle intensification or just spruce up tired buildings in areas being brought back to life.
“ What a wonderful company to work with. I was a bit hesitant at first with the distance and prefer to do business face to face. Calm, professional and polite Nicole and Ufuk explained and explained until I understood. The work was carried out with complete transparency. I would recommend you call them the first call will simply explain what I’m saying. Will definitely be using Urbanist Architecture in the future. Thanks Nicole and Ufuk. ”
Abid V — Nottingham
“ Great team at Urbanist. Very experienced and I was blown away with my initial designs, which came out even better than expected. Cannot recommend them enough. ”
Faisal F. — London
“ I found Urbanist via the planning portal. Helped me through my planning application amid working remotely due to COVID lockdown but everything went smoothly. ”
Lee W. — Oxford
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
The contrasting demands of regeneration areas and heritage projects in the Green Belt in Havering will always keep architects on their toes, but that's the kind of challenge we love.
BA(Hons) MArch
Architectural Designer
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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