Author: idris@activearchitecture.co.uk

The client developer had a specific concept in mind for the design of these office buildings in Belgium. From a simple brief a design had been produced through vigorous research and assessments of the site and its local context.

A proposed master plan was devised of the site to show how infrastructure will connect the buildings and how the relationship of work/live can be incorporated into the site. Bespoke environmental energy saving solutions were incorporated into the façade of the building to allow passive ventilation throughout the building and maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the year.

Initially commissioned to simply produce plans for a bespoke three bedroom house in Hungary, the project expanded in preparing working drawings, 3D visualisations and 3D walkthroughs for the client/contractor.

The site was at a considerable elevation, sloping to the rear. Again incorporating this landscape feature into the build gave us a unique creative edge.

We were approached to design a bespoke outbuilding office building for a residential association in Harrow. Planning approval was subject to acquiring ‘Secure By Design’ approval from the London Metropolitan Police service.

We worked alongside the police department ensuring the building meets specific design requirements to ensure safety of the building and its occupants.

A Key 5* hotel in Manchester whilst getting an internal makeover required our expertise in solar panel installations to design a bespoke energy solution which would take care of 40% of their electricity use.
A unique design approach to the solar panel installation had to be calculated to enable the hotel to function without disruption to its guests whilst the solar panels were being installed on the flat roof.

This approach was adopted by the hotel as it offered the opportunity to monetise self-made electricity whilst offering significant environmental benefits.

The project involved an extensive house extension program for the 6 bedroom mansion.

A massive outhouse was designed in the back garden under permitted development incorporating a games room and a 50ft swimming pool. This opened up to a verandah where the client would hold social gathering and parties.

Additional work also led to Building Regulations Drawings and 3D Modelling the master bedroom to incorporate a lavish separate dressing room with a central island and connecting ensuite.

This project required our commercial architectural services for a flat conversion of a commercial premise with 9 self-contained units above the ground floor retail spaces in Harrow. The client will lease out the full premise to individual tenants. The challenge we overcame was the tight space available to accommodate a comfortable living and working arrangement in the scope of planning constraints.

Additional space has been created by simply adjusting wasted areas into useable accommodation and commercial space thus making the construction a viable business and justification to expand the property portfolio of the client.

The HMO extension project involved converting the existing building into a licensed HMO (Housing of Multiple Occupation), and at the same time extending the building to provide additional living space.

This development involved redesigning and reconfiguring a hotel to maximize the available internal space keeping in mind loadbearing and non-loadbearing wall structure whilst taking into consideration local legislation.

Planning approval for this side and rear extension had to be done within strict deadlines and budget.

We worked with the clients contractor to bring this development to fruition well within clients expectations.

The existing building comprised of 4 small studio units. The planning application is for extending and converting the building into modern Studios with a ground floor 2-bed flat.

The extension would  be in keeping with the local character and would fit into its contexts without making the building over-bearing on site.