Architects in Holland Park

We are a London based architectural practice specialising in going planning permission and listed building consent for projects in conservation areas in Holland Park.

Holland Park

Holland Park is renowned for its historic charm, listed buildings and parks. Holland Park was originally part of the estate surrounding Holland House, a Jacobean mansion built in the 17th century. Holland Park’s transformation began in the 19th century when parts of the estate were sold off for residential development, creating grand Victorian townhouses and Italianate villas which today define its architectural identity.

Holland Park is home to numerous listed buildings and landmarks including the remnants of Holland House, the Gothic Revival-style St. Mary Abbots Church and Leighton House Museum, the former studio-house of Victorian artist Lord Leighton.

At the heart of the neighborhood lies Holland Park itself full of gardens, woodland walks, including the Kyoto Garden. Holland Park is home to two of London’s best tennis clubs, the Camden Hill Tennis Club and the Holland Park tennis club.

Local knowledge and Expertise: Work we have completed in Holland Park

The Hyde Park Boathouse

Recent projects we have designed in and around the borough include The Hyde Park Boathouse on the Serpentine Lake for Bluebird Boats.

The building was designed to contain a ticket office, management office, shop, staff room, staff changing area and workshop.

The building is made from a prefabricated steel structure and factory made timber panels all assembled on site to minimise disruption to the park.

The building was designed with innovative heat pump technology using the lake to improve efficiency.

Hyde Park Boating Pavilion interior view

Recent projects in and around Holland Park:

We have completed a number of renovations in the area around Holland Park including a full house renovation with rear extensions and lofts on Westbourne Park Grove and another in Highlever Road in the Oxford Gardens Conservation Area.

We are meticulous in ensuring all the documents and reports the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea require are submitted to ensure a smooth process.

These houses underwent a successful renovation including new wiring, plumbing and insulation.

Architects serving residential & commercial clients in Holland Park

At Graham Ford Architects we serve homeowners and developers all over Holland Park, including the neighbouring areas such as:

Brompton
Norland
Pembridge
Earl's Court
Redcliffe
Queen's Gate
Golborne
St Charles
Basement development Camden
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Basements in Holland Park

London-gym-basement

We have specialist knowledge of basement design around Holland Park.

We can advise you on what documents you need to prepare for the council, which engineers can produce the reports that are required, which builders you should use and the timeframes to gain planning permission.

Costs of Basement Construction in Holland Park

Allow for a minimum of £7300 plus vat per m2.

Note depending on complexity your costs could be substantially greater.

Book a consultation today!

Reviews from our clients

Sports Buildings Architect in Holland Park

Hyde Park Boathouse for the Olympics

We have considerable experience designing buildings for sport having worked on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have recently designed a pool and gymnasium for a sports club in Kingston.

We design fishing and boating pavilions, sports grandstands and seating, temporary sports facilities, gyms, changing rooms, sports club pavilions (rugby, football, tennis, swimming, hockey, netball, polo, boating, yachting), catering facilities and pavilions.

If you need a new pavilion or clubhouse for your school or club then we have the expertise to help you.

Copper Box Stadium Design
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Commercial Retrofits in Holland Park

If you are looking to renovate your commercial office building to meet your sustainability goals and the expectations of your tenants and achieve a high energy performance certificate (EPC) we can help.

We have experience renovating office buildings including the grade 2 offices behind Heals department store in Bloomsbury. 

Heals office CamdenHeals office Camden
Heals office CamdenHeals office CamdenHeals office Camden
Heals office Camden

What You Want: A Project That Runs Smoothly

Are you looking for an architect who has experience in the Holland Park, London?
Are you a building owner who needs help with the renovation of your building to gain listed building consent?
Do you feel overwhelmed with the complexity of gaining planning permission, building regulations + procurement, and project costs?
Do you want someone to help you write your brief and build a team that will be capable of gaining the statutory permissions including planning and building control sign off, so your project runs smoothly?
Do you want a creative but no-nonsense step-by-step guide to getting all the permissions you need with a team that provides all the support you require?

If so, we can help.

We can advise on the feasibility of both new build or renovation projects ranging between 100K and 7 million pounds in construction value.
Our principles will guide your project from start to finish and will ensure your project runs smoothly with an elegant result.
Our aim is to manage the risks, create a team that will give you the best chance of planning success and our work will increase the value of your home.
540 04 COMPASS COURTHouse renovation in Westminster
“A project with a construction value of over 100k must run smoothly”
We design houses, apartments and sports buildings.
We are best known for the design of buildings in conservation areas and in Royal and regional parks.
We know that taking on a large construction project is a daunting process, that is why working with us, with our experience in Westminster, will ensure your project progresses smoothly.

Architects Experienced in Risk Management

We have been employed as project managers working with Transport for London and we have built a new railway station.

The skills we gained on these projects including our knowledge of risk management will help to make sure your project (even if it is a residential extension of basement) is delivered on time and on budget.

Brook Green house renovation facade

Renovation of Listed and Historic Buildings in Holland Park

We have been involved in a number of complex renovation projects in historic settings including the grade 2* listed Roundhouse Theatre in Camden Town and listed buildings in Mayfair and Bloomsbury in London. We understand heritage projects are about a deep understanding of conservation principles, historic and cultural interpretation, recalling lost memories and bringing the stories of the past to life.

We take a forensic approach to conservation looking at every detail of the building was made and how its setting has changed over time. This helps us understand heritage values, historic development and guides our approach to how we alter and adapt the building to meet modern day requirements.

To achieve this it is necessary to collaborate with planners, urban designers, clients and the community to ensure a successful outcome for projects within a heritage setting. Not only does the listed building need to be carefully repaired but the setting of the building including the design of the public realm, lighting, pathways and landscape and vitally important to the overall success of a project.

Leisure Facilities Including Sports & Hospitality

We developed our expertise in Sport working on the London 2012 Olympic Games as an advisor to the Olympic Delivery Authority.

We have built a new boating pavilion in Hyde Park and recently completed the renovation of Leiths School of Food and Wine in West London.

Read more about our story and our vision here.

Boating pavilion project at Hyde Park

We Can Help You Obtain Planning Permission In Holland Park

You will need advice on how to manage a design and construction project.
You will need advice on what team will be required, and how much your project will cost.
Planning permission costs time and money, and requires an experienced team to prevent delays and costly mistakes.
For planning to be successful, consultation with the local authority in Holland Park is essential.
We work closely with our Heritage consultants and with the Conservation Officer at the council to make sure everyone is happy with the changes we are proposing.
You may not be clear on how to get your project built, and which contract and builder you should use.
We will help you understand and mitigate the risks of construction. We know you want a smooth stress-free process, not anxiety and constantly rising costs.
To overcome these problems, we have developed the following principles.

Our Principles:

SPECS design method

Simplicity: We refine the design many times so that the solution is both elegant and functional.

Precision: Our design drawings are precise and accurate which means no delays

Efficiency: Your project is well organised with exemplary project management.

Collaboration: You will be part of our team. A successful project only happens with a great team who work together.

Sustainability: We aim to reduce your energy bills through cleaver design and better insulation of your home or building.

If you would like to know more about these principles please download my book: The Total Environment Masterplan. This book was shortlisted for business book of the year in 2024.

Download
sustainable-architecture-book

‎Costs of Building in Holland Park in 2024

You should allow a minimum of £3400 per m2 plus vat for all renovation work.

As a word of caution your project could cost substantially more depending on the extent of the work and the type of finishes (tiles, flooring etc) that you choose.

Graham Ford

Graham Ford

To find out more about our team please click here.

Our Fees & Next Steps

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If you wish to discuss your project with us we will go through your brief during our initial phone call.
2
We will then put a fee quote together and discuss it with you over the phone.
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We will then send you a letter confirming all our costs.

Discuss your next project with us

Are you looking for an experienced, trustworthy and certified architect based in central London? Whatever your project, don’t hesitate to reach out to Graham Ford and his team to arrange an informal, confidential chat.

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Architects in Holland Park

We are a London based architectural practice and we work all over the Southeast of England.

We have expertise in gaining planning permission for the renovation of historic buildings (both houses, schools and commercial buildings) following our involvement with the renovation of The Roundhouse Theatre in Camden Town and the Heals Development in Central London.

We ensure your project will meet building regulations and upcoming sustainability requirements.

‎We have expertise in gaining planning permission for sporting facilities following our involvement with the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Hyde Park Boathouse.

We design sports grandstands and seating, temporary sports facilities, gyms, changing rooms, sports clubs (rugby, football, tennis, swimming, hockey, netball, polo, boating, yachting), catering facilities and pavilions.

If you are a sports club, private members club, school or university that needs new facilities, we will guide you through the planning and construction process.

We produce masterplans that future proof your estate by renovating your heritage assets and carefully locating new facilities with landscape and infrastructure.

If you are a facilities manager, project manager, bursar, business owner or headmaster we will provide a dedicated team who will ensure your project runs smoothly.

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Architects in Holland Park, London

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Residential architecture in Holland Park

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WHAT YOU WANT: A PROJECT THAT RUNS SMOOTHLY

We can advise on the feasibility of both new build or renovation projects ranging between 100K and 7 million pounds in construction value. Our principles will guide your project from start to finish and will ensure your project runs smoothly with an elegant result. Our aim is to manage the risks, create a team that will give you the best chance of planning success and our work will increase the value of your asset.

A PROJECT WITH A CONSTRUCTION VALUE OF OVER 100K MUST RUN SMOOTHLY

We design houses, apartments and sports buildings. We are best known for the design of buildings in conservation areas and in Royal and regional parks. We know that taking on a large construction project is a daunting process, that is why working with us, with our experience in your borough, will ensure your project progresses smoothly.

RENOVATION OF LISTED AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS

We enjoy the challenge of renovating existing buildings. We have gained planning permission for projects in many areas of the borough. Our expertise is working within planning restrictions in conservation areas and we have a 98 percent success rate in gaining planning permissions.

LEISURE FACILITIES INCLUDING SPORTS AND HOSPITALITY

We developed our expertise in Sport working on the London 2012 Olympic Games as an advisor to the Olympic Delivery Authority. We have built a new boating pavilion in Hyde Park and recently completed the renovation of Leiths School of Food and Wine in West London.

Read more about our story and our vision here.

THE PROBLEMS YOU MAY FACE

You will need advice on how to manage a design and construction project. You will need advice on what team will be required, and how much your project will cost. Planning permission costs time and money, and requires an experienced team to prevent delays and costly mistakes. For planning to be successful, consultation with the local authority is essential. We develop a detailed and convincing narrative to support your application.

You may not be clear on how to get your project built, and which contract and builder you should use. We will help you understand and mitigate the risks of construction. We know you want a smooth stress-free process, not anxiety and constantly rising costs.

To overcome these problems, we have developed the following principles:

OUR PRINCIPLES:

We use the SPECS principles to help our clients achieve effortless and elegant architecture.


Simplicity: Through many design iterations we reduce complexity to simplicity. We use a process map so you always know where you are in the project. This keeps the team in control. During the design development there is an intense focus on usability and functionality combined with beauty.

Precision: Precision comes from accurate design documents. Our drawings are fully detailed and co-ordinated so surprises during construction are kept to a minimum.

Efficiency: Everything we do is designed to minimise disruption to your lives and ensure the project runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Collaboration: We are easy to work with and you will be fully involved in the process and all the critical design decisions. You will always know what the next step is. We build a strong team that includes the client, architects, engineering consultants and contractors. We take care of the process to ensure you feel at ease, the budget is managed and you are fully informed.

Sustainability: One of our main aims is to reduce your energy bills through good design which will also result in your project having less impact on the planet.

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OUR TESTS:

Based on our years of experience we have developed four scorecards to test how well you are translating your ideas into a successful design solution.

Why do a scorecard?

It takes just 5 minutes | It is completely FREE | You will receive in-depth report with useful information and tips

Our tests are a mix of simple YES or NO questions based on our SPECS methodology.

If you have a project in mind, pick a scorecard from below and find out your score today!

🏡 Residential questionnaire: Are you ready to undertake a home renovation project?

🎾 Sports club questionnaire: Are you ready to commence an upgrade of your club?

To have a look at all of our scorecards please click HERE

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Book a 15 minute call to discuss your project in Holland Park with us

Graham Ford
Graham is the founder of GFA, where he leads operations and design. With over 22 years of experience in residential, academic, institutional, and sports projects, Graham has worked on notable developments like the London 2012 Olympics. Recent projects include Leiths School of Food and Wine, Harrow Masonic Centre, and Reading West Rail Station. His work has earned multiple RIBA awards, including recognition for the Roundhouse Theatre in Camden. Graham is also the author of The Total Environment Masterplan, and has taught at Cardiff, Nottingham, and Reading Universities, with lectures at several others including Bologna and Manchester University.
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