Since 2013, we’ve been working with the planning and building control departments of all the Hertfordshire councils on projects from extensions to new build houses, so we know their local planning policies, building regulations and requirements inside out.
The majority of our projects take place in the areas covered by North Hertfordshire, Stevenage, East Hertfordshire, Dacorum, St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield, Broxbourne, Three Rivers, Watford and Hertsmere district councils.
Most of our work in Hertfordshire happens in Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Hoddesdon, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring, Bishop's Stortford, Buntingford, Sawbridgeworth, Ware, Borehamwood, Potters Bar, Bushey, Letchworth Garden City, Hitchin, Baldoc, Royston, Harpenden, London Colney, Redbourn, Stevenage Old Town, Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Croxley Green, Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn Village, Hatfield and Old Hatfield.
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 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.
Write us a message
The areas we cover are AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, AL7, AL8, AL9, AL10, CM20, CM21, CM23, EN10, EN11, EN5, EN6, EN7, EN8, HA6, HP1, HP2, HP23, HP3, HP4, HP5, LU2, SG1, SG10, SG11, SG12, SG13, SG14, SG2, SG3, SG4, SG5, SG6, SG7, SG8, SG9, WD1, WD2, WD3, WD4, WD5, WD6, WD7
Hertfordshire starts on London’s northern border and yet also runs up to the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of the county other than the big towns lies in the Green Belt – if you live in a Hertfordshire village, this will be (in the jargon) “washed over” by the Green Belt, meaning its rules apply there.
St Albans is the county’s only city and has ancient roots, first as a Celtic settlement and then as Verulamium, the second-largest city in Roman Britain.
There are a number of spectacular stately homes in Hertfordshire, including Hatfield House, a Jacobean masterpiece. Hatfield House also has a surviving wing of a Tudor palace. Open to the visiting public, it’s also a frequent movie location. Moving on a century and a half to the 1770s, we get the Palladian grandeur of Gorhambury House.
You can also visit the ruins of Old Gorhambury House, its Elizabethan predecessor. Grade-II* listed Knebworth House shows off the Gothic revival style of the Victorian era at its most extravagant, although the estate is probably most famous – at least for Brits of a certain age – as the location for huge rock concerts, including Led Zeppelin in 1979 and Oasis in 1996.
You can get a good sense of the full span of British history in Hertfordshire, from Roman remains through to considerable surviving medieval and Tudor buildings through all the eras since. In Hertfordshire, you can see some of the great experiments in creating fully planned new settlements: the garden city of Letchworth, founded at the start of the 20th century, and the post-Second World War New Towns of Stevenage, Hatfield and Hemel Hempsted. Welwyn Garden City is the link between the town: founded by Ebenezer Howard in 1920, it was designated as a New Town in 1948.
The garden city movement has left a legacy of long, low houses with a ground floor and then the first floor partly in the pitched roof. Redbrick is the dominant building material. Certainly to anyone more used to big city life, homes in Hertfordshire outside of the medieval towns tend to seem refreshingly spacious. Towards the south of the county, as you get towards the capital, you see more of the yellow London stock brick.
In the year ending June 2020, all the Hertfordshire councils received 11,293 planning applications. The approval rate was 79%, which is substantially below the English average of 87%. Different district councils have very different records, ranging from North Hertfordshire (93%), Stevenage and Dacorum (both 92%) to Watford’s 68%, which is one of the lowest approval rates in the whole country.
Our expertise in planning applications means we have a 97% success rate of getting planning permission for our clients (across all councils). Hertfordshire is a place where we have a deep knowledge of the workings of the local authorities. As our client, we will increase your chances of getting planning consent for your project.
Our projects for homeowners in Hertfordshire range from home extensions, loft conversions, full house refurbishments and barn conversions. We also have substantial experience in projects located in the Green Belt. This includes getting planning permission for houses using all the exceptions allowed under the regulations, including Paragraph 80 houses (aka Paragraph 55 houses) in the countryside.
Whether you want a house extension that will transform how your house feels inside and out or you have a large plot you want to build a new house on, we would love to help.
Our projects for developers in Hertfordshire range from listed building renovations to medium-scale new build housing schemes in the Green Belt. We have a strong track record of getting the most from constrained plots with planning restrictions.
Whether you want to make changes to a listed building, breathe life into a neglected midcentury new townhouse or are aiming to build new homes in the Green Belt, we’ve got the skills and knowledge to turn your wishes into reality.
“ Ufuk was constantly communicative from day one. He engaged with us during the whole process, understood our requirements very well, gave us very helpful architecture / planning /design advice and delivered more than we asked for. Cannot give them high enough praise. ”
Marvin G. — Hertfordshire
“ Following a recommendation from a friend, I asked the Urbanist Architecture team to prepare my planning application. All members of staff were friendly, helpful and very professional to deal with. Thank you very much! ”
Gerti Z. — London
“ Have used Urbanist Architecture on 5 projects now, their attention to detail and results are second to none. Great people to work with, highly recommended. ”
Ali 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
We have worked on some fascinating projects in Hertfordshire, ranging from lovely homes to efficient and flexible contemporary warehouses.
BA(Hons) Dip.Arch MA ARB RIBA
Creative Director & Senior Architect
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
Write us a message