Square Feet have been commissioned to convert a vast loft space within a Victorian building on Finchley Rd into teaching and student spaces … we are currently working through the technical matters and excited to see how the designs emerge.
Two large houses on Arkwright Road in Hampstead, since converted into flats, have large rear gardens which back onto a rear lane, leading to some garages and other newer houses that have sprung up over the years.
In these back gardens are a selection of mature cherry, hazel and oak trees – all protected and within the ‘RedFrog’ Conservation Area.
The owners were looking to create new homes for their children, setting up home in expensive London.
After a process of engagement with the local residents, planners, tree officers and conservation team we attained planning permission for two new-build houses on the rear gardens, sensitively sited harmoniously between, in and amongst the trees.
See more! … https://www.squarefeetarchitects.co.uk/ehrs
Square Feet Architects recently completed a transformative project for the Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue in London.
This redesign enhanced the landscaping, introduced eco-friendly elements, and modernized the synagogue’s appearance. The outdoor spaces now offer serene gathering areas with lush greenery and improved pathways. Overall, the project creates a welcoming environment that respects the site’s heritage while embracing a contemporary aesthetic.
Watch this space for more info!
Take a listen to this interesting chat … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wN7Q9JxOjA
Delighted that this pair of handsome new houses have started on site. Watch this space for more info as we emerge out of the ground.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025.
We have a myriad of projects - some just starting like sketches for a new arts building on a kibbutz, some going in for planning permission like at the old policeman house in Hampstead, some in detailed design, like new teaching and student spaces for a French business school, and some starting on site like two new building 5000sqft houses in Totteridge.
Its going to be a great year, we can feel it!
Seasonal Greetings 2024 It’s (nearly) a wrap!
As we ‘wrap up’ 2024, we reflect on what has been an incredible year of conceiving, nurturing, and delivering a diverse range of projects. From new build homes and multi-unit schemes to spaces and places for education, charities, and communities, it’s been a year of creativity and impact.
This year, we were thrilled to launch the Sqft:Space Gallery at our Bell Street offices near Marylebone, showcasing inspiring new artists, projects and ideas. Our bespoke Sqft:Home brand continues to grow from strength to strength, and the opening of our new base in Manchester has brought fresh energy and opportunities.
Thank you to our clients, collaborators, and team for being part of our journey. With more exciting plans on the horizon, we can’t wait to share what’s next. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous 2025!
Warm regards
The Square Feet Team
We are delighted to announce that we have been ‘longs listed’ in the prestigious Archello-2024 awards for a ‘small urban house’ category, up against some other great projects around the world.
See the longlist … https://archello.com/nl/news/archello-awards-2024-longlist-house-of-the-year-urban-small
https://www.squarefeetarchitects.co.uk/holly-walk
To better serve our existing clients and expand our project base.
Daniel Leon, who grew up in Manchester, founded the award-winning architecture practice 20 years ago in London, having worked and studied in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sydney, Seattle and London.
Also ‘Mancs’, Neil and Angela, so its very much a ‘coming home’ for Sqft.
(Special logo devised to bring back memories of Greater Manchester Buses’ brilliant orange and brown branding.)
Get in touch if you would like to know more, or discuss your next project - studio@squarefeetarchitects.co.uk
We have just completed another successful project for the ESCP group of business schools in north London, creating much needed extra teaching spaces on a highly successful fast track contract.
Watch this space!
We are working now on the detail and hope to share more information on this exciting project very soon.
Fascinating conversation on this great podcast. Daniel shares some of his thoughts and insights into architectural practice and his 30+ years of industry experience … take a listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkS3yZAerPI
We are delighted to be hosting a unit show from Manchester University Architecture School at our office / gallery. PRAXXIS.
Private view this Thursday 27th June, 630-830pm, at 95 Bell St, London NW1 6TL.
There are 20 of the 37 exhibiting, 9 will be present and presenting on Thursday. The 20 are all interested in working in London.
Feel free to pop along.
Please RSVP to studio@squarefeetarchitects.co.uk
Hard-fought but prevailed in the end, to attain this planning for new little block of 9 flats on an infill brownfield site in Westferry. Watch this space for more details.
https://24housing.co.uk/london-architects-square-feet-architects/
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.
