Inhabiting a former antiquarian bookshop, just above SQFT’s studios in Marylebone, Sqft:Space is a new project by Daniel Leon, whose work will be included in the exhibition. The gallery is the natural progression of Sqft studios' many artist collaborations and interests. Sqft’s gallery program endeavours to reflect the values and aesthetics from which it evolved with a program of emerging and mid-career artists.

SQFT Gallery, 95 Bell Street, London, NW1 6TL

1 May – 4 June 2024

In the Company of Others, an exhibition by British American artist Lee Matthews, will take place from Wednesday 1 May to Tuesday 4 June 2024 at SQFT Gallery.

Matthews’ first London solo show honours the everyday, portraying life and love in their most authentic form.  The artist invites us into her personal sphere as she becomes a quiet observer, commemorating fleeting moments in paint. The body of work celebrates the simple joys of life, from lazy nights on the sofa to the buzz of a crowded bar, chatting around the dinner table to enjoying music with friends.

Inspired by chiaroscuro paintings, Matthews uses low light to sculpt her subjects and bring her recollections to life. This sense of the intangible past is portrayed in the artist’s distinctly supple style. Details are soft and hazy, alluding to the elusiveness of memory and inviting the viewer to draw on their own experiences to make sense of what they see. 

Matthews says of her work:

“I paint the people closest to me to make sense of the moment and my place within it. My paintings glow in a familiar light and, like stills from a home movie, they reflect our own experiences. I observe the everyday and paint to commemorate it.”

In the painting Sofa, a drowsy figure wrapped in blankets stares serenely at a television screen. The unguarded pose of the subject appeals to a sense of intimacy and connection, this unknown person becomes a mother, sister or friend to the viewer. The spectator is witness to another moment of togetherness in the piece Kitchen, as a family gathers around the dining room table, bathed in a colour palette reminiscent of a Pierre Bonnard painting.

In Lee Matthews’ exhibition, extraordinarily ordinary moments are given a greater meaning as the artist and viewers’ memories mingle and overlap, demonstrating the shared beauty of the human experience.

Notes to Editors

About Lee Matthews

Lee Matthews received her MFA Painting from the Slade at UCL, London (UK), having previously studied at Cornell University, New York (US) for her BFA Painting. Lee currently lives and works in London. Exhibitions include, Dentons Art Prize, Shortlisted Exhibition London, This Year’s Model at Studio1.1, In Formation, at Thames Side Studio Gallery and The Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize finalist exhibition, Topophobophilia, Mclusky Bell & Young; Gallery 46, London. Lee can also be found painting at The National Gallery, where she was recently given copyist privileges. 

About SQFT Gallery

Inhabiting a former antiquarian bookshop, just above SQFT design and architecture studios in Lisson Grove, SQFT Gallery is a new project by SQFT founder, Daniel Leon. The gallery is the natural progression of SQFT studios' many artist collaborations and interests. 

The exhibition is free. 

For more information or to organise an interview, please contact: Phoebe Ruffels, phoebe.ruffels@gmail.com or 07460 745 207

Lee Matthews received her MFA Painting from the Slade at UCL, London (UK), having previously studied at Cornell University, New York (US) for her BFA Painting. Lee currently lives and works in London. Exhibitions include, Dentons Art Prize Exhibition London, This Year’s Model at Studio1.1, In Formation, at Thames Side Studio Gallery and The Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize, Topophobophilia, Mclusky Bell & Young; Gallery 46, London and Fresh Milk, Milk Gallery NYC. Lee can also be found painting at The National Gallery, where she was recently given copyist privileges. 

We are thrilled to announce that SqftArchitects has recently secured planning permission for a development, situated at 65-67 Oakleigh Park South, Totteridge, for two 5000sqft houses.

Leveraging our profound knowledge of the area and market intricacies, SQA has meticulously crafted designs for both the exterior and interior of the houses. We have used high-quality materials and paid meticulous attention to detailing to enhance the overall value of the properties and its locality.

This development is scheduled for completion in 2025. We eagerly anticipate documenting and sharing the progress of this exciting venture with you.

We are heading down to Cannes from 11th-14th March to “Rendezvous de L’Elite Mondiale'“ … we would be delighted to catch up - drop us a line to arrange a meeting.

Thank you for all our clients and creative collaborators who generously donated to this great cause. Congrats @FoodBankAid and carry on with your fantastic and important work.

Most property people in property in this country still talk in ‘sqft’, but Architects design in metric millimetres and m2. We are forever having to ‘translate’ those GIA’s and NIA’s from ‘m2’ to ‘sqft’.

Fortunately it’s a relative simple approximate ‘ten times’ conversion, but 10.764 is the magic number all Architects have at the finger tips.

You may ask, why are we called 'Square Feet'? Isn't it time to embrace a more decimalized unit? While the name lends itself to graphic opportunities and playful puns, it's also because we speak your language.

We understand developers’ challenges and your unwavering commitment to maximising the potential of every site. Our goal is to create great places to work or live but also to align with your vision, understanding your unique drivers and pinch points along the way.

So, as you embark on your next project, consider us your translation guide, your partner in navigating the intricacies of property development. Let us know how we can assist you in unlocking the full potential of your endeavours. 

Join us on ‘the Pride Road Architects podcast’

https://youtu.be/cDJY3jyWqFg

In this episode Lisa Raynes and Daniel Leon talk about their experiences in running architectural practices, focusing on challenges, retaining knowledge, and systemizing businesses.

"We all need architects to know that magic number of 10.764.!”

Daniel Leon Daniel explores different structures by looking at other industries, while Lisa shares her experience of focusing on domestic residential projects and systemizing her practice. Important aspects include keeping an eye on overheads, considering the impact of remote working and AI, and systemizing businesses for better management and scalability. Daniel emphasizes the importance of architects knowing conversion factors, while Lisa highlights the focus of her practice, Pride Road, on domestic residential projects. Both architects discuss the importance of having one person knowledgeable about all aspects of a project for maintaining continuity and quality. Lisa shares her experience interviewing architects and students, emphasizing the importance of mentoring and support throughout their careers.

Square Feet Architects, known for their innovative designs, announces the completion of a remarkable restoration and expansion project in the heart of Hampstead Garden Suburb. The classic ‘Suburb’ house, built in 1912 “in the style of Voysey” just below Lutyens Grade 1 Listed St Jude on the Hill Church, has been revitalized by the team at Square Feet Architects, and masterfully crafted by Amirilan Construction.

For returning clients, this historic residence has been given a new lease of life by Square Feet Architects. Seeking additional space for their growing roster of grandchildren, the couple envisioned a home that seamlessly blends classic charm with modern functionality, ensuring it becomes a welcoming space for family gatherings and entertaining friends.

Collaborating with renowned interior designer Joanna Williams, Square Feet Architects has masterfully reconfigured the house to offer three-dimensional, light-filled spaces. The interiors, crafted with Umber, terrazzo, and stone, strike a perfect balance between innovation and warmth. Williams' expertise brings to life an environment conducive to both grand celebrations and cozy nights.

The sustainability ethos embedded in this project is evident in the upgraded insulated and airtight retrofit envelope. The house boasts air source heat pumps, smart home technology, and energy- efficient LED lighting. This commitment to eco-friendly design ensures the residence not only stands the test of time but also minimizes its environmental footprint.

To complement the interior transformation, the outdoor spaces have been meticulously reimagined by landscape designer Julie Bixley. The result is a seasonal and colourful oasis that harmonizes with the historic Garden Suburb while providing a picturesque backdrop for the revitalized home.

Square Feet Architects takes pride in breathing new life into this classic Hampstead Garden Suburb residence, creating a haven where the past meets the present, and timeless elegance meets sustainable living.

Building bridges: Rethinking religious architecture in 21st Century Britain

How a new religious building typology that caters for multiple faiths could unite communities and “heal a fractured world.”

“We are in an era where secularism often overshadows the importance of religious architecture. The potential demolition of Brighton’s Modernist synagogue prompts us as a society to reconsider the intrinsic value of these religious spaces. As an architect deeply invested in the intersection of spirituality, design, and community, I propose a shift in perspective, recognizing the potential of religious architecture to foster interfaith understanding and unity.

Religious architecture is often viewed through the lens of nostalgia or dismissed as outdated remnants of the past. However, these structures can contribute meaningfully to modern Britain’s pursuit of interfaith dialogue and evolving concepts of spirituality. Spaces of worship are more than just a physical structure – they’re a living, breathing community centre, converging faith, culture, and communal belonging.”

Architecture is more than just the creation of any one architect. It embodies the culture of the period it was created, with architectural projects serving as social commentaries or even challenges to the wider status quo. In a society in which people’s work and personal lives are increasingly integrated, the built environment should be constructed with long-term flexibility and adaptability in mind.

Certainly, it is a challenging time to be an architect, in both the commercial and residential markets.  Transactions in the commercial property market have fallen by nearly 67% this year, with downsizing announcements from firms such as HSBC indicating that vacant skyscrapers will soon dominate the build environment. Equally, high mortgage rates on housing, in combination with renting being more affordable than direct property ownership, has contributed to much lower investment in the residential property market. Given this backdrop, it’s not surprising that nearly a quarter of a million UK properties were found to be empty this year.

In such a landscape it is critical that architects evaluate the long-term use and value of their properties, and in their design, consider how they might be converted in the years to come into schools, shops, surgeries or even cultural facilitates. To achieve this, architects need to become more adventurous in terms of, for example, adopting a more creative approach to ‘mixed-use’ developments and be more willing to consider the benefits of redevelopment.

More creative approach to architecture for mixed-use

Today, UK architects need to reflect in their plans the fact that the property landscape has been reshaped by flexible working. The distinction between commercial and residential has blurred, which encourages architects to consider a new approach, with more creative designs, to reflect this likely long-term change.

Traditionally, commercial, and residential properties were often single-use developments. Major financial centres such as Canary Wharf were characterised by towering office blocks that often lacked any recreational facilities or residential aspects. With recent decisions by businesses such as HSBC to downsize, architects are reconsidering how to design office blocks to ensure that if their purpose or use changes, they maintain value.  

Given these challenges, architects are increasingly becoming more adventurous in terms of their developments, in both the residential and commercial sectors, and considering how they can enhance the design of structures such as schools, shops or even specialist institutions. This has led to an increased emphasis on taking a more creative approach to ‘mixed-use developments’, in which different property functions are fused in a single localised environment. In a mixed-use commercial property, the primary function of the building may be to provide a set of offices, but it may also be designed to accommodate a range of retail and leisure facilities, such as gyms and restaurants.

There is a demographic impetus to the rise of mixed-use as over 80% of the UK’s population live in urban areas, which is set to increase in the coming years. Such context means that architects have to navigate the issue of building bespoke developments, in limited locations that can give back to the community and maintain utility.

Well-designed mixed-use developments encourage vibrancy in cities and local communities, allowing architects to create unique developments that respond to current property challenges. For instance, at Square Feet, we are currently in discussion with two other architectural bodies for a tripartite, mixed-use cultural space, one which could serve a different religious denomination each day between Friday to Sunday. By creating a single adaptable space for three different cultural functions, we are ensuring the development has the flexibility to respond to changes in demand, allowing it to maintain long-term value.

Mixed-use architecture allows architects to be more ambitious in terms of what can be done with the available space, and who it can benefit. Intelligently implemented mixed-use projects can create far more vibrant urban areas, with the varied aspects benefitting both the individual and the wider community.

For more examples of our bespoke mixed-use developments, see here.

Build-up, don’t build out

Recognising this more ambitious approach to urban design and increased emphasis on mixed-use is essential because it reflects the developing architectural commitment to more sustainable values.

All architects need to consider the environmental impact of their developments, with the built environment being one of the largest global contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. Recently, our Director and Founder, Daniel Leon was pleased to feature in Local.Gov discussing how sustainable designs can address the housing crisis that currently faces the property market. Ultimately, Daniel concluded that we must build properties that address today’s housing needs but remain relevant long into the future in order to improve our sustainability credentials.

Such an emphasis on sustainable design explains the rising popularity of mixed-use, but it also justifies an increased focus by architects on refurbishment and renovation. Renovating properties is not generally favoured by modern architects, because new builds are taxed less heavily than renovations. However, architects should not underestimate the potential that comes from the creative re-use of old buildings.

Skilled architects can turn outdated single-use developments into stunning, fit-for-purpose buildings, while preserving a large percentage of the original material, minimising the environmental damage of new projects. We have applied such principles to our work, with our redevelopment of an old commercial shoe factory at Etrona Mews into a mixed-residential development, with much of the original material preserved.

For more examples of some of our refurbished properties and locations, see more of our impressive projects here.

Looking forward to the future of architecture

Creativity should remain our fundamental skill as architects. In a time when the appeal of properties is undergoing dramatic changes, architects need to consider whether their current approaches are fit for purpose.

In the modern era, mixed-use developments represent an adventurous solution to a challenging market, allowing architects to both encourage a creative approach to urban design as well as enhance their commitment to sustainability.

A wider emphasis on mixed-use promotes healthy and active city centres, by ensuring that properties have recreational, commercial, or even residential appeals. This gives them the adaptability to endure changes in demand and maintain long-term value, one of the fundamental goals any architect should have for their projects. Architects need to embrace change and innovation to help develop the adaptable, flexible buildings of today that will still be relevant tomorrow and serve both the individuals who occupy them and the communities they serve.

Read the full article … https://flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=6529414b0d188#125

We were thrilled to see our Director @DanielLeon write for @architectsjournal , a leading sector title, on Housing Secretary Michael Gove's recently announced reforms to the planning system - and what more needs to be done.

Daniel argues that the current planning system is "a persistent burden" on Britain's economy and society. Gove's plans, while "certainly welcome", fail to appreciate that "the overwhelming reason for the failure of planned development is local opposition" - fixing this will require "a total overhaul of the planning system."

Read the full article here:
The planning system just keeps saying no. We need a total overhaul.
www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/opinion/the-planning-system-just-keeps-saying-no-we-need-a-total-overhaul

Last Friday was the annual Norwood Property Lunch - great event to catch up with old friends and make new connections.

Daniel and Square Feet are proud to part of the organising committee.

We are working with a longstanding client to refurbish, renovate and rethink how a disused corner of their premises can be better used - for student incubator co-working spaces, plus further administration offices.

Option models for warehouse conversion in Westminster - maximising potential of the existing building whilst respecting sensitive backland location, creating three new super-sustainable apartments.

#SqftEthos ...
Making healthy, human places for you, for everyone, for the future.

Creative : Attentive : Constructive 

Square Feet are working on the full rebuild of a house within ‘The Trust’, new basement and extension back, to make a high-end home for a growing family (& puppy!).

Square Feet Architects have submitted a planning application for five new flats above an existing 1960’s block in Buckhurst Hill, near Epping Forest, using the ‘permitted development’ approach.

Approximately half way through the construction period of this facade retained / new-build plus basement project to create a ‘super high end’ house for a family.