About James
James Thornton established Hampstead Renovations in 2014 following ten years at two of London's most respected residential architecture studios — first at a Hampstead-based practice specialising in listed building and conservation area work, and subsequently as an associate at a design-and-build firm in Marylebone. He holds full ARB registration (Architects Registration Board) and is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
His architectural work is rooted in a deep understanding of London's Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian residential building stock. He has navigated planning applications for over 120 properties within Camden's conservation areas — including the Hampstead, Belsize Park, and West Hampstead Conservation Areas — and has built a reputation for producing designs that conservation officers consistently approve.
James leads the design-and-build philosophy at Hampstead Renovations: a belief that architecture, engineering and construction should operate as one integrated service rather than separate disciplines managed by the client. Under his direction, the firm has maintained a 9.7/10 client satisfaction score across 103 completed projects, with a 100% on-time delivery record on fixed-price contracts.
Specialisms: conservation area architecture; listed building consent; rear extensions; loft conversions; basement conversions; full-house refurbishments; party wall; planning applications within Camden, Islington, Haringey and Westminster.
Work With James
Book a free consultation and speak directly with James about your project. We serve all of North and Central London on fixed-price contracts.
Book Free Consultation 020 8054 8756