Architecture Shop
Fountayne Road, London, London
Fountayne Road, London, London
My name is Magda Melon and I am the founder and head architect of Architecture Shop.
I founded the Architecture Shop because I wanted to work with homeowners who wish to create their dream homes. I specialise in adaptive reuse of existing buildings – residential or otherwise – to design homes which are one and only, fit for purpose and a delight to inhabit.
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How can someone tell if their Garage is suitable for conversion?
Most garages are - as long as the garage is linked to your house it is very likely they will be easy to convert in a seamless way.
Some houses have separate garages - stand-alone small buildings. These garages might be more suitable to be converted into a home office or a place to relax separate from the main house. It might be possible to link them with the main house (with a covered corridor) but in general, it is unlikely they will be easy to incorporate seamlessly into the house.
As always, it's useful to consult an architect to help you understand the potential of your garage.
Run us through the different stages of the Garage conversion process - what's involved?
I run each project using the same logical process - regardless of the size of the project. This ensures that everything is taken care of and reduces the risk of running over time and budget. Please see my brochure (link below) highlighting the usual steps:
http://bit.ly/2BxjZkf
How can someone tell if their loft is suitable for conversion?
Most lofts are - the usual limitations to what is possible include access (will full-size stairs fit), the usable height of the loft, the usable area of the loft or planning constraints. These factors are possible to ascertain using basic measured survey plans and an architect can help you check what is possible to achieve in your home.
It is always advisable to check the structural soundness of your house with a structural engineer. They will be able to say if the loft floor is strong enough to hold a habitable room.
Run us through the different stages in the loft conversion process - what’s involved?
I run each project using the same logical process - regardless of the size of the project. This ensures that everything is taken care of and reduces the risk of running over time and budget. Please see my brochure (link below) highlighting the usual steps:
http://bit.ly/2BxjZkf
What’s your interior design process?
I run each project using the same logical process - regardless of the size of the project. This ensures that everything is taken care of and reduces the risk of running over time and budget. Please see my brochure (link below) highlighting the usual steps:
http://bit.ly/2BxjZkf
Which interior design styles can you cater for?
I specialise in contemporary style - but I always listen to my clients to add their own flavour to space. This makes sure that the house is unique to the people who live there and makes the whole design process much more personal.
What do you love most about your job?
Each project is different - it's for different people, with a different history and different solutions. No two jobs are the same and having this variety and experience is really special. Also knowing that what I do really helps people and makes a difference in their lives is very rewarding.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I used to work for large architectural practices and dealt with large scale projects. It was a lot of fun and I am very happy to have experience like that. I missed having a more personal relationship with clients and that's why I started working for myself. I enjoy meeting new people and it's very special to know that I helped specific people and their families to achieve their goal.
Why should our clients choose you?
I do things a little bit differently than most architects - I take a little extra time right in the beginning to really listen to my clients, assess the potential of their home or site and come up with a good project strategy. This strategy (a written document) can be taken to any other architect if my client wishes so!
It's a good way to reduce the risk of making significant changes later on the project when changing anything is much more expensive, takes much more time and is much more stressful for the client. Why not make sure right in the beginning that you know exactly what you want to achieve?
Should I Buy This?
It's a pre-buy report for homeowners interested in making sure that their new home will deliver the standard of living they desire.
It includes checking the potential for extensions with local planning regulations, advice on costs involved with home extensions and explanation of the planning and construction process. It might also include a very first draft of possible layout changes to check if you can fit in that extra bedroom or bigger living room.
Project Strategy Report
As a first step in getting your dream home realised, I recommend a Project Strategy Report to my clients to ensure that your home gets delivered on time and on budget. It's an early stage study designed to make sure you know everything there is to know about your property and about your own needs and aspirations. It reduces the risk of you making significant design decisions at a much later stage when it costs much more money and takes much more time. With this report, you will have certainty that we took all important factors into consideration right in the beginning when it costs you nothing to change your mind.
I work out a detailed design brief with you and run checks on your property to see if it's possible to meet the brief. I analyse the potential of the property and I advise on possible costs involved. You will also receive advice on next steps necessary to make your dream reality.
Once you receive the report you are free to take it to any professional to obtain quotes and you are not obliged in any way to proceed with me.
