Westminster Architects – Specialists in Residential Architecture

Award-Winning Westminster Architects

Westminster Architects

Planning, building and environmental regulations for St James’s, Covent Garden, Knightsbridge, Maida Vale, Hyde Park, Marlybone and other areas in Westminster

Maximising space, delivering value, creating ideal homes

As one of London’s leading architects, Aura has worked on over 200 beautiful homes across London and the surrounding counties.

 

We are an Award-Winning Architecture firm who are highly experienced and skilled in residential architecture, and we are focused on delivering beautiful homes across Westminster.

 

We specialise in home offices, residential refurbishments, extensions, loft conversions, basement conversions, and bespoke new homes with a high-end finish and detail.

 

As we have worked with various clients all over London, so we understand that maximising space is essential for many. Especially with those with growing families! This is why we specialise in creating bright, spacious, and design-conscious homes while focusing on being energy-efficient and sustainable.

Refurbishing Period Properties in Westminster

“Westminster’s world-famous historic areas and buildings are an irreplaceable resource, of fundamental importance to the character, attractiveness and economy of our city.” (Westminster Gov, 2019)

 

Much of the architecture in Westminster has an abundance of history or heritage, which the council feels very strongly about managing and maintaining. And rightly so. With the council’s stance on architectural heritage, if you’re looking to carry any home renovation works, you need to hire an architect who has worked on period properties.

 

If you would like to find out more about period residential homes, why not read our blog.

Our Services:

  • Full Architectural Services
  • Interior Design Packages
  • A variety of design options at the concept design stage
  • Contractor Recommendations
  • Site Monitoring
  • Accurate Tender Packages
  • High Success with Planning Approvals including listed buildings, conservation areas

5 Considerations When Choosing Westminster Architects

Hire an Architect that you can trust.

Completing any home project can be daunting, especially if it is your first project! This is why it is really important to hire services that you can trust, especially if they will be making day-to-day decisions regarding your home. The best way to find a trustworthy architecture firm in Westminster is to check them on various platforms. You could use Google ReviewsHouzz or Design for Me

 

AURA Architecture has proven excellence by winning the Build Magazine Home & Garden Award in 2019 as the ‘Most Trusted Architecture Practice in Greater London’. Please have a look at our Google Reviews below!

Fixed Fees vs Percentage Based Fees

Many architects in Westminster and London charge a fee based on the percentage of the project value. When an architect’s fees are calculated in this way, it can tempt them to think up the most expensive and unnecessary features to add to the project, which isn’t always necessary.

 

In other words, they are more interested in the money than you, their client. An architecture firm with its clients’ best interests in mind will always prioritise what is best for the client. If the client isn’t too sure what they want, a trusted architect will help them make informed decisions.

 

AURA Architecture believes the only fair way to charge is with fixed, transparent fees. Read our comprehensive guide to how our fees are structured.

Knowledge of Local Planning Permission Requirements

There are specific home improvement projects that you can complete without planning permission, and they can fall under the category called permitted development

 

A knowledgeable architect who’s worked in the local area can advise you on this – the regulations are not always straightforward. So it is always best to speak to an expert. If you would like to read our blog on permitted development and planning permission, click here. You may be surprised by the amount of work you can do under permitted development.

If you can miss out on going through the planning permission, you could save a lot of time, stress and money.

 

Check that your chosen architecture firm is familiar with all these requirements. An experienced Westminster architecture firm will know just how much they can do without the need for planning permission.

Detailed Project Monitoring

The best London architecture firms will have staff that specialise in each stage of the architect process, whether it be working with planning consultants, architectural design, or finding the right builder or tradesman. AURA follow the RIBA architect stages to ensure no details get overlooked.

 

We can help you all the way through your project, from beginning to end. A big mistake we see is when people manage their own home projects to save costs. Even though this may save you money in the short term, unless you have experienced in managing home projects, you run the risk of mistakes and unforeseen costs in the long term.

 

We do offer site monitoring services to relieve you of any pressures. 

Read the Aura process about how we care for every stage of the project.

Home designs with natural lighting in mind

A common issue with many period properties in London homes is a lack of natural lighting. Studies show that high levels of natural light improve your sense of well-being and can even improve your health. An experienced architect knows all the innovative ways to bring plenty of natural light into the home. They also know how to do so in a sustainable way.

 

Skylights and light wells are great ways to filter light into extensions, basement conversions and loft conversions. Another clever way to spread light throughout interiors is to introduce glass room dividers instead of solid doors. We love working with interior crittal.

 

View our light-wells and other home design innovations here.

View our Projects

Our Online Reviews

Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson
June 20, 2023
Professional, reliable, great to work with. Highly recommended if you are renovating your house.
Carina Isabel Lopes De Carvalho
Carina Isabel Lopes De Carvalho
May 2, 2023
It is a company of excellence
Emily Stuart
Emily Stuart
January 25, 2022
I used Aura for a side return and rear extension, and a renovation of my first floor bathroom. I wanted something unique and characterful, with lots of natural light. Aura really went above and beyond my expectations, creating me a space that truly is more than I could have imagined. From the initial consultation, where I felt immediately at ease with the team, to the transparency in their costings, all the way through the design process and project management, Aura have been consistently professional, communicative and flexible. It certainly hasn’t been an easy time for anyone in the industry, but Aura’s solution-first attitude and their adaptability made it so easy to work with them through lockdowns, supply chain challenges, pingdemics and everything in between. It was a true pleasure to work with the team - they really do their utmost to make the process as straightforward, simple and enjoyable as possible. I’d not hesitate to recommend Aura. They team are the perfect balance of creative and practical, imagination and solutions, to make whatever dream you have come to life.
Rob Birkin
Rob Birkin
November 18, 2021
Georgina
Georgina
February 9, 2021
I chose to use Aura based on their reviews in June 2020. At first it was a really good experience and I was impressed with their professionalisim. I received my drawings and wasn't completely happy with them. The 4 options I was given were all basically the same thing. They never came to my property to see the space or get a feel for where the light was coming in etc. The bathroom on the drawing didn't make sense as it was so small. (See below). The snug was also like a meter so again didn't make sense. I tried to escalate this to Ben, and I was offered another call but I had lost confidence in them. My neighbour was also doing work on her flat which is a similar layout and in contrast her drawings were really well thoughtout. In the end I had to pay again to get my drawings redone. (Attachment P&S - one example of my new drawings below - the more detailed drawings). I asked Aura for a partial refund as I never actually received a final drawing from them (despite paying for them) and they refused. It was just a disappointing and expensive experience.
Anthony Egan
Anthony Egan
May 22, 2020
I recently contacted Aura Homes Ltd to discuss a small development project. The project was unusual and a lot of factors needed to be taken into account due to the location, site surroundings and practicality of the proposal. I originally discussed it with Ben Richards who I found to be helpful, knowledgable and very accommodating in that he listened intently to give a fair assessment of feasibility. Iris Kouneni was assigned to me and met with me to thoroughly discuss and understand what my intentions were. Like Ben, she digested my layman’s view and proceeded to give me her professional opinion. Iris and Ben were an absolute delight to work with, professional, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and communicative to mention just a few of their qualities. Unfortunately due to the COVID19 lockdown we have had to shelve the project. It's been a pleasure to work with Aura Homes Ltd, refreshingly honest and professional. I look forward to working together with them in the future.
Brendan Quinn
Brendan Quinn
May 20, 2020
Thanks for reading this review. Ben is one of my monthly sponsors of the Property Events that I have run and also of the National Development Summit earlier in 2020. In a business setting I really appreciate Ben's support, particularly during COVid19- Ben had the option of pulling out of my events as a sponsor- as I have had to pivot- moving them online. Ben has continued to support these events as a sponsor, when he could have easily turned his back and moved on. Also at the National Development Summit 2020, Ben could see the effort I had put in to make the event, a great event, and himself and his team also equally put in huge effort. When you organise events, you ideally want things to go smoothly in terms of presenters turning up on time/before time, and with slides which are hassle free, and this Ben has done so. I have been to Ben's office several times and the staff have been really friendly. Ben's knowledge of working at Berkeley Homes, puts his company at a very high level.
Louise Hancock
Louise Hancock
April 13, 2020
Aura Homes is a highly professional firm of architects that always have the clients best interests at hart. The quality of their plans and drawings is superb and their turn-around when making amendments well within expected timelines. For bespoke projects, their research and recommendations (both in terms of quality and costs) is superb.
Harry Bucknell
Harry Bucknell
April 10, 2020
Couldn't recommend Ben and his team more. We were in a really tricky position with our building project and Ben navigated us safely out of it. Superb guidance, great technical knowledge and what I really valued the most was the communication. Always got back to me promptly which makes a real difference when stress levels are high. Thanks Aura!
Eugene Clarke
Eugene Clarke
April 9, 2020
The quality of work from Arua Architecture is to an excellent standard. We worked primarily with Ben and Gabby, they provide a friendly and professional service that minimised the worry and stresses associated with building projects. We hired Aura Architecture to assist us with our building project. We appointed them for the following work: - Regularisation on previous designs - Planning conditions discharge - Building regulation drawings - Detailed designs They came recommended from a Structural engineering company, and we were not disappointed.

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