Beginner’s guide to barn conversions An old barn can provide the perfect shell to create your ideal home. These large and often very solid structures give the opportunity to create a house with huge expanses of space and high ceilings. Most importantly, by retaining the original form, materials or structure, it adds character, charm and history to your otherwise… Read more »
All buildings have a use class. The original Use Class Order 1987 has been recently updated in the Use Class Order 2020. List of use classes There is no official list of use classes is therefore open to interpretation of the above legislation. There are sometimes disputes (and varies between local planning authority) about which… Read more »
Good news, it is possible to convert a shop to residential use without needing planning permission. However, there are important exceptions where permitted development rights may not apply in your area or to your property. Image above – Design by Anamaria, architectural designer from Southwark, London. Click here to see more and shortlist them… Read more »
Where a house renovation results in a ‘material change of use’, there are requirements for upgrading certain building elements and meeting standards that go beyond what is required for a typical house renovation. Thanks to Nick Paley at Assure Building Control for their assistance with this article. Assure Building Control provide a fully licenced independent… Read more »
When asking, ‘can I convert my loft‘, there are various things you need to be aware of here – it may not be a straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. For example it could be possible, but would come at a cost that could not be justified or the space created may not be suit your… Read more »
Previously, we have looked into permissions to convert a house into flats (subdivision). The opposite of this is amalgamation, where you convert flats into a single house. Image above – extension by Ben, architectural designer from Lambeth, London. See more and shortlist his practice for your home project. Do you need planning permission to convert… Read more »
Loft conversion pictured above by Stephen, interior designer from Hackney, London. Click here see more and shortlist him for your home project. Loft conversions add valuable living space to a home – whether you need an extra bedroom, creative space or home office. Loft conversions can also add 20% onto the value of a… Read more »
Good news, it is possible to convert an office to residential use without needing planning permission. However, there are important exceptions where permitted development rights may not apply in your area or to your property. Image above by James, architectural designer from Islington South and Finsbury. Click here to see more and shortlist… Read more »
A perfect match on DfM… THIS BEAUTIFUL SIDE EXTENSION WAS CREATED WITH A SHARED PASSION FOR COLOUR Architect Hugh: “We are known for our colourful work, and so working with these clients – a Personal Colour consultant and graphic designer – was a dream come true!” Back in 2018, clients, Alan and Keiko, posted… Read more »
Glass is a material that has long been used in all kinds of structural applications. In spite on its fragility, glass is known to be robust and strong. In the right hands, with the right balustrade components and fixings glass can be used for just about anything. Unsurprisingly, homeowners are now finding that glass is… Read more »
