We’ve been working on residential projects in St Albans and surrounding areas since 2013.
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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Areas we cover include:
AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4 and AL5
There aren’t many places in England with as much history as St Albans - this was a town that was torched by Boudica’s forces in 61 CE, but then bounced back and boomed through Roman times. There are plenty of traces of that time still visible, not least in lovely Verulamium Park.
The sacking of Verulamium wasn’t the end of conflict troubling the local inhabitants, though, - the First Battle of St Albans is considered by many historians to be the start of the Wars of the Roses.
It’s true that St Albans is rather attractive to London commuters - Thameslink takes you right to King’s Cross, the City or Bankside. But it would be extremely rude to think of this as some kind of appendage to the capital - this very much a city with a strong sense of identity, its own rhythm, its own feel. It’s very walkable and has almost everything you could want in a place to live… apart from, as everyone will tell you, a proper A&E department at the hospital. Still, the many great things outweigh any gripes.
If you are the kind of person whose idea of architecture is “the older, the better”, St Albans is the place for you. For instance, while you will see plenty of 1930s mock Tudor semis around Clarence Park, in the centre of town, you’ll find plenty of true Tudor buildings.
The Grade II-listed Ye Olde Fighting Cocks has traditionally been a contender for the oldest pub in the country. That’s an argument we’re not getting into, but it’s fine boozer, as is The Snug, but Historic England’s pick of St Albans’ pubs is the Grade II*-listed White Hart.
Even older (early 15th century) is the Clock Tower, very much Grade I listed. Also getting the top level of protection from Historic England is the Abbey (aka the cathedral), substantial parts of which date to the 11th Century, although - don’t be fooled - a lot of it is actually late Victorian (but excellent late Victorian, we should hastily add.)
In the year ending March 2023, St Albans City and District Council received 1,946 planning applications and approved 82% of those submitted.
Our expertise in planning applications means we have a 97% success rate of getting planning permission for our clients (across all councils). St Albans is a place where we have a history with the council, increasing the chances that you - as our client - will get planning approval
Given the age of many properties in the town centre, there’s plenty of work to do on listed building refurbishments around here. Further out, you get the full range of extensions - including some very large ones - and, in some neighbourhoods - a lot of loft conversions.
Changing use from employment uses (factories, offices) to homes, whether through conversion or demolition and construction, has been helped boost housing in recent times, and we don’t think that is about to change. And outside the city but still in the district, it’s all about Green Belt applications.
“ 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
“ Didar and her team were very informative and very efficient every step of the way with us. Would definitely recommend and use again! ”
Chop T. — 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
Once you get past the history, you realise that St Albans is a dynamic, forward-thinking city with abundant development opportunities.
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
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