We have undertaken several projects for French Business School, ESCP, which is housed in a former Victorian seminary building on Finchley Road. This Christmas, we are working on improving the access and connectivity of students around the building.

Projects that we have previously undertaken come under the banner of ‘cut and carve,’ such as creating new teaching spaces within their existing building, as well as producing a new communal terrace within an inner courtyard. The school is multi-national, with students able to choose to study at various ESCP campuses in Milan, Berlin, Madrid, Warsaw, Turin and Paris. The result of this means that the school's intake has tripled in recent years, with proposals for new lecture theatres, libraries, and social spaces being considered.

This distinctive and adaptable three-storey home responds to the client’s brief by creating a property that ensures comfortable living for a family of four generations. The home has extensive living, kitchen and dining space, as well as a wheelchair accessible bedroom and en-suite bathroom on the ground floor.

Danish Peterson red bricks are arranged vertically and horizontally to create modern ornamentation and a warm and subtle change to texture. The attention to detail in design and construction is typified by the slim coal-fired clay bricks, their non-uniform shape creating a play in light and dark shade. The result is a home that is rich in architectural integrity, yet still responds to the client’s needs by carefully considering the way in which the structure will be navigated by its residents. The building is designed to meet Lifetime Homes accessibility standards and Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4, highlighting key concerns in the design of the home.

A discreet and contemporary family home situated in Hampstead, this project takes inspiration from nearby modernist buildings, ensuring minimal impact on neighbouring properties by carving out extensive ground space below.

The three-storey house is tucked behind a charred timber gate and existing brick wall, sensitively responding to the surrounding conservation area by making full use of the sloping site. The structure replaces an existing single storey house, using a warm palette of materials, distinctive interiors and abundant natural daylight to create a sophisticated living space. Challenges faced were Camden’s strict criteria for basement development, ensuring that we worked closely with contractors, MH Costa, to overcome technical challenges. The building is highly insulated and airtight and uses an air source heat pump to further reduce energy use. The result is a carefully considered property that responds to the client’s brief, using landscape design to create a relationship between the interior and exterior, aided by sweeping views over Hampstead and the Heath.

The Old Shoe Factory is due to start on site next year, giving this building a new lease of life by creating three houses and six flats. The private family owned site was recently home to small office units, with this development marking a departure from its previous commercial uses, instead creating a residential complex.

Boarding a local park, the property has tricky infrastructure, which requires careful consideration. The new homes will be set around a communal courtyard, with a careful material palette adopted to complement the existing brickwork of charred timber and black zinc. A combination of PD, for change of use and full planning for extension has been approved by Barnet Council, allowing this former shoe factory to be fully rejuvenated for residential use.

Located close to centre point and adjacent to the Grade 1 listed Giles-in-the-field Church, this development converts existing units, as well as creating new flats and a commercial building. Working alongside a private developer, we aim to bring about much needed movement and life to a previously deteriorating street.

The existing undercroft parking area is to be converted into five new apartments, plus 1000sqft of commercial b1 office space, transforming this previously unused car park into a bustling hive of activity. The flat roof is to be extended into 3 penthouses, accessed via a new lobby and a bronze clad lift shaft, providing a range of housing for residents. A new standalone house and commercial building is to be built, with views targeted towards the church. Improvement to the street fronting wall, gates and signage are to be made, with all new flats to be developed for sale. This development aims to bring about life to a previously deserted site, using a range of housing to attract a broad audience.