Frequently Asked Questions

Embarking on a new-build, renovation, or extension project can feel complex - particularly if you’ve never worked with an architect before. Many of our clients come to us at an early stage with questions about process, costs, planning, and next steps. This is precisely where London Atelier adds the greatest value.

As RIBA Chartered Architects and BIID Registered Interior Designers, we guide you through each stage with clarity and care -helping you make informed decisions, understand the bigger picture, and move forward with confidence. From early feasibility and planning advice through to detailed design and delivery, we provide structured support throughout the entire journey.

You don’t need to prepare anything. To get started, simply arrange an initial consultation and we’ll help you explore the options, explain the process, and outline how we can support your project from concept to completion.

Next are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive at the early, exploratory stage.

  • No. Most clients contact us at a very early stage. An initial conversation helps clarify your brief, site constraints, budget range and potential next steps - even if you’re not yet sure what’s possible.

     We’ll ask the right questions to assess viability and outline the most appropriate way forward. We can explore if a Feasibility Study on your specific project might be from help and other topics.

  • Our Feasibility Study is a structured, paid mini-project that explores what can realistically be achieved on your site. We recommend it as the best first step to form the bigger picture and add the greatest value to your project.

    It typically includes:

    • Planning and policy context specific to your site and location

    • Development potential and constraints of the site and existing property

    • Initial design concepts and sketch proposals to develop ideas and prompt informed discussion

    • High-level cost and programme guidance to support early planning to meet expectations

    The Feasibility Study provides clarity, reduces risk and establishes a solid foundation for confident decision-making and typically forms a bigger picture for you and us.

    Please see an example here.

  • We are a London-based architects and interior design studio specialising in

    • high-end residential architecture,

    • commercial architecture and

    • bespoke interior design.

    Our portfolio includes

    • new-build homes,

    • house extensions,

    • full refurbishments,

    • listed buildings, conservation area projects, and

    • boutique residential developments

    • commercial projects, shops, retail and offices

    for private clients and developers. We also work on selected cultural projects.

  • We follow a clear, structured process aligned with the RIBA Plan of Work, from feasibility and concept design through planning, technical design, tendering and construction support. During construction, we provide contract administration, site valuations and advice on variations and extensions of time.

    With extensive experience in complex and listed projects, we help navigate challenges to deliver successful outcomes.

    Please see a typical timeline for a residential timeline here.

  • Our fees follow the RIBA Plan of Work, from early feasibility (Stage 0) through to handover after completion (Stage 6), and are tailored to each project.

    We typically start with a fixed-fee Feasibility Study, allowing you to explore options, understand costs and assess whether we are the right fit before committing to a full service.

    Fees for later stages are usually agreed as a fixed lump sum, a percentage of construction cost, or a combination of both, often spread across manageable monthly instalments. Once the project scope is defined, our fees are fixed and invoiced transparently, so you always know what to expect.

    Beyond design, you benefit from our experience, trusted consultant network and guidance through the process — helping avoid costly mistakes and deliver a well-resolved project.

    For more info on our architectural fees please see under architectural fees.

  • Due to the bespoke nature of our work, we typically collaborate with private homeowners who have a minimum project budget of around £250,000. Requirements for commercial clients vary and depend on a range of project-specific factors.

    We are always happy to discuss your ambitions and investment level to explore whether there is a suitable way forward.

    Please see our guide on how to roughly calculate a project budget.

  • Staying within budget is one of the most critical aspects of any construction project. A common pitfall is losing cost control — or not defining a realistic budget early enough. For this reason, cost is addressed from the outset, starting with the Feasibility Study.

    We help manage budget by:

    • Discussing costs early and regularly, and setting realistic expectations from the start

    • Highlighting design choices that may increase costs and, where possible, proposing cost-effective alternatives

    • Recommending early involvement of a Quantity Surveyor (QS) on larger projects to provide cost advice, such as an Initial Cost Model at the end of Concept Design

    • Carefully reviewing and selecting building contractors to ensure quality, reliability and value for money

    We have long-standing relationships with trusted cost consultants and contractors and are happy to introduce them to help minimise risk and maintain budget control throughout the project.

    How to stay in budget; more info here.

  • Yes. We have extensive experience working with planning authorities and conservation officers, including securing planning permission and listed building consent for projects within sensitive urban, heritage and conservation contexts.

    This expertise is a core part of our practice and particularly valuable in London, where a large proportion of buildings fall within conservation areas or are listed. Please get in touch to discuss your project for an informal initial conversation.

  • Yes - that is exactly what the Feasibility Study is designed for. It allows you to test ideas, understand risks and opportunities, and decide how (or whether) to proceed, before committing to a full service.

    Please see Question 2 and an example here.

  • Timescales vary depending on project complexity and planning requirements. As a general guide:

    • Feasibility Study: 2–4 weeks

    • Planning stage: 3–6 months

    • Full project (to completion): 12–36 months

     We establish realistic programmes early on to manage expectations and, where possible, advise on strategies to streamline the design and delivery process.

Two new build five-bedroom homes overlooking Richmond Park. Hand-made red brick and cast stone define the exterior, while European oak, Italian stone, and bespoke joinery express a quiet luxury within. Richmond Park Houses, Putney #NewBuild #Resident
A vacant shop transformed into a modern dental practice in Chelmsford. Each element and detail was carefully crafted and coordinated to reflect the ethos of the practice, with a colour palette emphasising a clean and sterile look alongside hints of t
A shop-window installation for Crabtree & Evelyn on Regent Street, part of the RIBA Regent Street Window project. The display captures the memory of English still rooms — around 200 species of plants common to English gardens are preserved
A refurbishment and remodelling of two lower ground floor flats near Holland Park, merged into one property centred around an existing lightwell. A glass extension draws light into the heart of this Victorian home while creating a new link between ro
Two new build five-bedroom homes overlooking Richmond Park. Hand-made red brick and cast stone define the exterior, while European oak, Italian stone, and bespoke joinery express a quiet luxury within. Richmond Park Houses, Putney #NewBuild #Resident
A vacant shop transformed into a modern dental practice in Chelmsford. Each element and detail was carefully crafted and coordinated to reflect the ethos of the practice, with a colour palette emphasising a clean and sterile look alongside hints of t
A shop-window installation for Crabtree & Evelyn on Regent Street, part of the RIBA Regent Street Window project. The display captures the memory of English still rooms — around 200 species of plants common to English gardens are preserved
A refurbishment and remodelling of two lower ground floor flats near Holland Park, merged into one property centred around an existing lightwell. A glass extension draws light into the heart of this Victorian home while creating a new link between ro
Two barn conversions set within the remnants of historic stone walls on a Grade II listed estate in Somerset. Pre-fabricated cedar-clad panels rise from within the existing walls, while double-height south-facing glazing offers spectacular views over
A new build three-story family home set into a steep hill in Sevenoaks. The established mass is split into two halves connected via a central glazed link, forming six distinct split levels that follow the slope of the hill. This glazed connection all
One of two London Atelier projects within Oscar Wilde's former residence on Tite Street. By introducing a central box core to house essential services, the 19th-century walls and original cornices are freed to take centre stage. A carefully curated p
An extensive remodelling of a flagship hairdresser's salon spanning two stories within the Harley Street Conservation Area. A thoughtful material palette of bespoke metal fixtures, cast concrete, and brass creates a sophisticated space with a light i
Once the residence of Oscar Wilde, this Grade II listed apartment in Chelsea was fully renovated and remodelling. After carefully removing wall finishes, layered colours and textures were preserved as an artistic homage to the former owner. Meticulou
A rear and basement extension involving the remodelling of a Victorian family home in Fulham. Additions in exposed structural concrete provide a distinctive difference between the existing Victorian and new elements, while translucent flooring and a