Month: February 2016

HUB have just secured planning approval for the external landscaping alterations at Winnington Road.

As the property falls within the Hampstead Garden Suburb conservation area, the proposals, were discussed in depth with the HGST (Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust) and accepted prior to planning submission.

Houzz have just awarded HUB Architects an Influencer badge – given to members whose advise and knowledgable posts are most appreciated by the Houzz community.

Building and Spring are synonymous. At HUB we watch ground works get going as soon as the frosts have lifted and conditions permit.

With this in mind we were charmed by the building activity we discovered in Caxton Street at the former Blewcoat School. This enchanting and intact freestanding building was built in 1709 as a school for the poor, which closed in 1926. In 1954, it was purchased by the National Trust and used as an information centre. In 2013, designer Ian Stuart refurbished the interior to house his bridal, special occasion wear and evening gown collections.

As a Grade I listed building, there can be no radical plans to demolish and regenerate it. However outside, we noticed a frenzy of nest building covering the front railings and lightwells by Jens Jakobsen (www.jensjakobsen.co.uk). The building is well worth a visit in its own right but even more so, with Jens’ reminder of nature’s Spring renewal.  The Open Air Shop is Jens’ latest Wild project.

HUB has recently obtained Planning Permission for a new house in North London.

We were asked to design a house which worked principally on a single floor, to suit an occupant with limited mobility. Our proposal also provides substantial accommodation on an upper level whilst still feeling like a single-storey building.

To achieve this, the habitable space within the roof is enclosed within two clear roof forms. These are expressed as plain gable-ends to the side elevations to ensure that the project has a legible “small house” scale.

The main reception room is presented as an add-on garden room or conservatory, which helps the plan work on a steeply wedge-shaped site which narrows to the rear.

We look forward to taking the project forward to construction.

As the Surface Design Show returns to the Business Design Centre in Islington, the HUB office attended the preview evening to check out the latest finishes, products and trends.  The live debate hosted by New London Architecture and fittingly titled, ‘Architecture is More Than Skin Deep’, included speakers from a wide range of London based architecture practices and engineering firm AKTII. Each took the opportunity to explain their approach to projects in the context of the skin or surface of buildings whether that be interior or exterior.  Claire Wright from Wright & Wright architects likened successful design to a favourite old coat, one that should feel good and look good after 20 years or more; the perfect analogy for how we should consider future proofing the design of buildings and places.