Every structural works project in Kensington is designed to respect the Kensington Conservation Area and the character of Georgian townhouses, stucco Italianate terraces, prime mansion flats. Our in-house RIBA architects handle RBKC planning applications, our chartered structural engineers specify any load-bearing work, and our directly-employed trades deliver the build under one fixed-price contract. We coordinate Building Control, Party Wall awards where needed, and all certifications through to handover.
Kensington falls within a conservation area, which means visible external alterations require careful design and often full planning permission. Our architects have extensive experience securing approvals in RBKC's conservation areas.
Our structural works projects in Kensington are delivered by our in-house team of RIBA architects, structural engineers and specialist tradespeople. Every project is managed under a single fixed-price contract with no hidden costs.
Kensington sits within RBKC conservation areas, with exacting control of stucco, windows and roofs and a strict basement policy. RBKC Article 4 directions withdraw permitted development rights for small-scale external changes — replacing windows and front doors, removing or rebuilding boundary walls, roof coverings and other front-elevation works — at properties listed on Kensington streets including Kensington Square, Kensington Court Place and Kensington Church Street, so those works need planning permission. RBKC publishes adopted conservation-area material for Kensington, Kensington Court, Kensington Palace and Kensington Square, so visible fabric, listed-building status, roof or basement work and facade changes need checking before scope is fixed.
Sources: RBKC Article 4 Directions in Conservation Areas (2026); RBKC - Article 4 Directions in Conservation Areas (register of directions by street) (2026); RBKC conservation area appraisals and proposal statements (2026)
Structural engineering is the discipline that decides whether a wall can come out, how a new storey is carried and what keeps a basement dry and standing. Because our chartered structural engineers work in the same studio as our architects, the structure is resolved while the layout is still being drawn — not retro-fitted to a finished design. Typical commissions include the work below.
Six stages from first enquiry to a structure signed off on site, whether we engineer alone or design and build the whole scheme.
Read the full structural engineering guide for beam-by-beam explanations, foundation types and typical London scenarios.
Every structural alteration must satisfy Part A of the Building Regulations, and building control will not sign the work off without calculations that prove the new load paths — which is why we produce a complete, checkable package rather than a beam size scribbled on a quote. Where a new steel bears on a wall you share with a neighbour, party wall notice is normally required before installation. Our planning guide library explains the approval routes in your borough.
Most renovation firms buy their engineering in from external consultancies; we keep it in the building. Our own chartered structural engineers sit alongside our in-house RIBA Chartered Architects, so structure and design are agreed in the same meeting rather than posted between offices, and RICS surveying support is available through our sister company, Hampstead Chartered Surveyors, when party wall or condition questions arise. The practice carries £10M public liability cover, works on fixed prices rather than open-ended fees, and stands behind built work with a 12-month defects period and a 10-year workmanship warranty. Enquire before 2pm on a weekday and we will call you back the same day.
Visit our studio or invite us to survey your home. We’ll assess scope, discuss design possibilities and provide an honest budget framework — completely free.
We survey your property, discuss your vision and provide a clear budget framework.