AML Architects

A brilliant design will always benefit from the input of others.
Zaha Hadid, Architect

‘Architecture is like writing. You have to edit it over and over so it looks effortless’.
Zaha Hadid, Architect
Maxxi: Museum of XX1 Century Art in Rome

Arts and Crafts Replacement House

BRIEF:
The site is on a private road with large Arts and Crafts Listed Buildings designed by the Architect Ernest Newton (Former President of the RIBA). The brief was to demolish the existing house and create an Arts and Crafts inspired large house, that would be at home with its distinguished neighbouring houses.

CHALLENGES:
Achieving the size of building to make the project feasible.

GOALS:
That the design and detailing has the authenticity of the adjacent Arts and Crafts inspiration.

UNIQUE SOLUTION:
The design is familiar, yet individual.

SUSTAINABILITY:
Natural light and ventilation, even within the deep plan. Thermal mass.

Are you planning a development? Please contact us on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

‘There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?’
Zaha Hadid, Archiect
Glasgow Riverside Museum of Transport

Victorian Infill - 8 New Build Flats

BRIEF:
The client needed a deliverable design. Previously a scheme had been approved at Planning by another company, with a number of issues making it unviable. An underground carpark for 8 parking spaces was approved, which would not be financially viable in that part of London. There were headroom issues on the stairs and had layouts not suitable for fire escape, etc…

CHALLENGES:
There was a Planning requirement for one parking space for each flat, which meant 8 parking spaces and not enough space at the front for them.

GOALS:
To provide a design that would achieve Planning approval without a basement, be compliant with Building Control and be aesthetically pleasing.

UNIQUE SOLUTION:
We achieved Planning approval for 4 parking spaces at the front, one of which was allocated for a car club and 8 vertically aligned 2 Bedroom Flats.
There were a number of adjacent Victorian houses with rich detailing, which was drawn up.

SUSTAINABILITY:
The flat roof was covered with Photovoltaic solar panels (PV) and each flat had a Heat Recovery system (MVHR) system throughout the flat.

Are you planning a development? Please contact us on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

Sustainability is increasingly a priority for Developers Report finds.

The NBS Sustainable Futures Report 2024 highlights a 13% rise in sustainability related projects since the last Report in 2022. The Report revealed an increase in the number of Net Zero projects, which is encouraging.
Main barriers to sustainability are:
1. The cost of achieving sustainability.
2. Lack of client demand.
3. Sustainable products being ‘value engineered’ out.
Education on the Climate Crisis was emphasised by the Royal Institute of British Architects, a leading collaborator in the Report.

Is sustainability a priority in your projects? Please contact us on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

‘How accidental our existences are, really, and how full of influence by circumstance’.
Louis Kahn
The Gateway Arch, St. Louis

Mews Development - 4 New Houses and a Flat, Chislehurst.

BRIEF:
The current use is an office building. The proposal was to change the use from Offices to Residential flats under Permitted Development and then maximise the residential development potential.

CHALLENGES:
A big challenge was the Planning Constraint of being in a Conservation Area and adjoining a Listed Building. On top of that were the objections from the neighbours and a committee refusal for political advantage at upcoming local elections.
Being a mews, there are numerous site constraints.
Goals: Maximise the development potential of the site. Sustainability was a core requirement of the brief from the beginning.

UNIQUE SOLUTION:
Phased approach: 1. Change of Use via Permitted Development, 2. Approval for the first floor as flats and 3. Approval for the second floor mansard for houses.

SUSTAINABILITY:
Reuse of the historical existing coach house and end block. Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery system (MVHR). Photovoltaic solar panels (PV) and solar thermal panels.

Who do you know has an office to redevelop? Please contact us on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

Natural England are considering a ‘Nature Levy’ to improve Nutrient Neutrality

The idea originally came from a Property Developer, which is now be considered as an option by Natural England and the Government, due to the Nutrient Neutrality issues.

Who do you know that has a potential housing site to be developed? Please contact us on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

‘Your best work is your expression of yourself’
Frank Gehry, Architect
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California, 2003

Wraparound Extension – Banstead, Surrey

BRIEF:
To have a large open plan Kitchen/Dining/Living area. Relocate the staircase, which went over the front entrance door, to be a central feature staircase. Also to add Ensuite bathrooms to the bedrooms, where possible.

CHALLENGES:
The existing chimneys, due to their location and structural loading, posed an issue.

Goals:
Flush ceilings and walls throughout, avoiding downstands in the ceiling on the Ground floor and any noticeable nibs in the walls.

UNIQUE SOLUTION:
Extending to the side, where the Garage originally was, created a vast open plan space. By removing the chimneys, the space could be opened up with flush ceilings and have more usable space on the first floor for Ensuites in a side dormer extension.

SUSTAINABILITY:
Exceeding the Building Regulations minimum standards in terms of thermal insulation.

Who do you know that is thinking of extending their home? Please contact us on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

The Government proposes greater power for Councils to issue Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs)

The introduction to address the housing shortage will give Councils more authority to impose Compulsory Purchase Orders on land, also land in the greenbelt for "fair but not excessive return”.

Who do you know that has a potential housing site to be developed? Please contact us on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

‘I like to play with architecture! It's my favourite game.’
John Nouvel, Architect
Torre Agbar (Torre Glòries), Barcelona, Spain
# TorreAgbar

7 new flats by conversing and extending an existing house in Woolwich, London.

BRIEF:
Convert and extend the existing house into the maximum number of flats permissible.

CHALLENGES:
Gaining Planning permission for the bulk.

GOALS:
That the finished building looks harmonious, as if originally designed and built the way it looks.

UNIQUE SOLUTION:
Planning applications were phased to achieve the final outcome of 7 flats. The large mansard roof meant two more flats could be built.

SUSTAINABILITY:
Reuse and upgrading of the existing building, and save on new building materials.

Who do you know that is thinking of converting and extending properties into flats? Please contact me on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

'New Towns Taskforce' Government announcement.

The Government has announced a ‘New Towns Taskforce’ aimed at building 1.5 million homes. The new towns will range between 10,000 to 25,000 new homes.
The New Towns Taskforce will put forward potential sites that are “made in the national interest”, following local community consultations.

Who do you know that has a potential housing site to be developed? Please contact me on: 020 8243 8809 or 07821 466976 or email: [email protected]

Very grateful for a Five Star Google review from James Fox, who is a Developer from Joax, an innovative property development company.

If you are proposing to do a new build project, please contact me on: 020 8243 8809 or 07821 466976 or email: [email protected]

developer

‘Architecture aims at Eternity’
Christopher Wren, Architect
St. Pauls, London

Article 4 Direction starting to control second homes as holiday accommodation by Gwynedd Council

The change will take effect from 1 September 2024, requiring homeowners of a main home to apply for planning permission to change their home to a second home or for use as a holiday home. The move is to help local people have housing that remains affordable, so they can stay within the area.

‘Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart!’
John Nash, Architect
Brighton Pavilion, 1787- 1823.

Housebuilders pledge bird-nesting bricks/boxes and Hedgehog highways.

Housebuilders have signed up to the Homes for Nature initiative, by Future Homes Hub, to have bird-nesting bricks or boxes and Hedgehog highways on new Planning applications by September 2024.

The initiative is above and beyond the 10% biodiversity net gains introduced earlier this year.

These firms collectively produce over 90,000 homes a year and are also encouraged to have bat roosts, insect bricks, hibernacula (refuge places for insects and animals), nature-led Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems and pollinator-friendly landscaping.

The major brick supplier Ibstock already has ‘EcoHabitats’ range of:
- Bat box bricks or stone walling systems.
- Bricks for bees.
- Concrete gravel boards with hedgehog holes.
- Sparrow and Starling boxes.
- Swift Box bricks.

https://www.ibstock.co.uk/products/ecohabitats

For the last 17 year we have been creating beautiful sustainable homes. If you would like to know more please contact us on: 020 8243 8809 or 07821 466976 or email: [email protected]

‘Architecture is measured against the past, you build in the present, and try to imagine the future.’
Richard Rogers, Architect
The Centre Pompidou

Need more space? Especially inside/outside space for summertime? Extend and remodel.

We have many years of experience helping homeowners turn their dreams into reality.

The photograph is of a 1930’s house in South London that we extended.

Who do you know that is thinking of extending their home? Please contact me on: 020 8243 8809 or email: [email protected]

Stone Henge is on the road to World Heritage in ‘Danger’ list

The road that runs next to Stone Henge is the A303. Understandable rubber-necking is an hourly, daily occurrence. The road is proposed to be upgraded to a dual carriageway.
Although modified in January 2024, substantial dual carriageway sections exposed in cuttings, would have negative impacts on the property’s attributes, authenticity and integrity, thereby impacting adversely on its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).

The decision will be made at the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in New Delhi, 21 – 31 July 2024.

‘I think architecture has to be a gift.’
John Nouvel, Architect
Louvre Abu Dhabi