We had previously worked on the church, helping to transform the almost derelict building into a vibrant community hub, this second phase focuses on installing a new entrance porch to help to further reinvigorate the building with the community. Our design adds a contemporary copper clad porch, creating a striking, visual statement that will activate the front of the church with the public realm.
Having worked closely with the church, planners and community over the last few years, we are so pleased to have finally got planning in place for this addition. We look forward to sharing updates of the work as it starts on site later this year.
Get in touchto discover how we can help tranform your community project.
We are so pleased to see construction work has started at The Granary, a unique 18th century agricultural building in the New Forest National Park, Hampshire. Our design thoughtfully converts and infills an existing open carport space, to reimagine the ground floor with extended living area.
This allow the first floor to be converted into the private part of the home; by moving all the living area to the ground floor it was then possible to create an additional third bedroom / work space on the first floor, ensuring the long-term future of the building for the young owners.
If you are thinking about reconfiguring your home,get in touch to start the conversation.
Last week, we were delighted to participate in a community engagement day hosted by the Chichester Community Development Trust. The event provided a valuable opportunity to share and discuss our initial concept designs for the much-loved Red Brick Pavilion in Priory Park.
Our bold proposals aim to conserve and restore this important local landmark by sensitively adapting the existing building and introducing a contemporary addition. This approach will allow the Pavilion to better serve the needs of the community by offering enhanced, modern facilities designed to meet the local needs.
The engagement day sparked insightful conversations and meaningful feedback on our early ideas. When working on community-focused projects, we understand the importance of truly listening to those who use the space. Their voices shape our understanding and help us craft richer, more responsive design solutions.
It has been a pleasure working with the Chichester Community Development Trust. Their vision – to foster connection, opportunity, and cohesion by creating inspiring to bring the community together – resonates deeply with our own ethos. Our design practice is grounded in six core principles: To Imagine, To Listen, To Reflect, To Understand, To Act, and To Realise.
Looking at starting a community focused project? Get in touch with team to discuss how we can help.
We are thrilled to be included in the shortlist for the South Coast Property Awards, in the Architectural Practice of the Year category, you can find the full list of shortlists here.
The event highlights the finest professionals in the field – agents, developers, planners, consultants, property lawyers, housebuilders and of course architects! We look forward to the awards evening in June, good luck to all the entrants.
Collaborating with an architect has the potential of adding value to your home, land or property. Whether you’re reimagining an existing space or planning a new development, thoughtful design can significantly boost both your personal comfort and the market value of the asset. Even if you’re settled in your “forever home,” it’s reassuring to know that well-planned alterations enhance not just how you live, but also the financial value of your property.
At Studio BAD, we’ve worked on a wide variety of projects that have helped our clients transform their spaces, enhancing the functionality, aesthetics and sustainability. Here, we explore a few ways architecture can add measurable value to your property.
Increase Value Through Smart Design
Working with our clients we are able to help them make their houses work better for their lifestyle. By extending or reconfiguring existing spaces, we help homeowners create layouts that better suit their everyday needs, whilst also increasing the property’s market appeal.
At Holly Cottage we helped the clients to adapt their listed house to better suit their lifestyle. Since starting a family, the owners found the historic characteristics of the ground floor layout just didn’t really suit how they now lived; the kitchen felt small, there wasn’t a natural place for the family to gather together, the garden felt disconnected from the home and the main entrance didn’t suit life with a buggy and a dog.
Through a carefully designed contemporary extension, we restructured the layout to flow more naturally and better suit their needs. The home now supports their lifestyle to make their life easier, it also has added elements of future proofing and improved the properties sustainability to secured their long-term future in the home. Since completing this work, the property value has increased by an impressive 25%.
Looking to make your home work harder for you?Get in touch, we would love to explore the possibilities.
Reimagined Spaces
Maximising internal floor space is often the easiest way to increase the value of a property, but it isn’t the only way and in tougher markets, design quality, material choices and sustainability, can often tip the scales. By working with a professional architect, they are able to cleverly unlock the hidden potential of an existing property.
At The Granary, we have sympathetically reconfigure the existing property, positively adding value by changing the use of space available. The design has increased the internal space of the house by infilling part of an existing car port, allowed for additional floor space to be added without having to physically extend the property. The result of this work has delivered a larger kitchen and an additional bedroom, perfectly crafted for the needs of the young homeowners. A report by Aro Finance has estimated an additional bedroom increases the value of the property by at least 15%.
At our Brockenhurst House project, sustainability was at the core of the redesign. The design has created a low-energy, high-comfort home that enhances the living experience by improving the thermal efficiency and reworking the internal layout, delivering a fourth bedroom and a garden studio. According to a recent study by ThisisMoney sustainable improvements to your home can add up to 15% to your property value.
Thinking about reconfiguring your home?Get in touch to start the conversation.
Maximising the Potential of Your Site
An architect is able to look at the full potential of a site, not just what it built but often seeing an overlooked opportunity, especially when it comes to underused land or tricky plots. Additionally, architects are able to help navigate the often-tricky local planning permission system when it comes to these imaginative schemes.
At Hill Lane, in central Southampton, we were able to carefully analyse the plot of the existing house and design a contemporary two-bedroom house within the underused garden plot, without compromising the original property. This reimagined space has created asset now valued at around £300,000.
We are currently working on a project in Whitchurch, looking to redevelop an existing pottery studio within an urban setting, to create a modern, compact home. The current structure has a very weak thermal performance making the building no longer fit for purpose, our design looks to create a well-considered, spatially efficient and thermally high performing home that is fitting within its historic surroundings. Once completed, the new home is projected to be worth upwards of £250,000.
Wondering what your land could become?Contact us to start the design journey.
Let’s Create Value Together
At Studio BAD, we believe great architecture does more than look good—it enhances daily living and increases long-term value. Whether you’re updating your home, reconfiguring a layout, or developing land, we’re here to help.
Get in touchto discover how we can unlock the full potential of your property.
Darren was recently invited by Ideal Home Magazine to share his expert advice about meeting building regulations for an extension. His article covers which building regulations might apply to extensions, if you might need just a building notice or full planning application, if it is possible to build an extension without building regulations and what other permissions you might need for building an extension.
Which Building Regs apply to extensions?
Building Regulations are need for all building work, these are legally binding requirements that ensure all construction work meets regulatory standards for safety, energy efficiency and accessibility and is fit for purpose.
Depending on the scope of the extension you might need to get Planning Permission before you start work. This applies if the project is a significant addition or alternation, it affects the external appearance or if the property is listed or in a conservation area.
Permitted Development is often an option for smaller extensions that meet specific criteria and don’t need Planning Permission. These are usually minor changes like adding a small conservatory or extending a kitchen. However, this can vary depending on the location and type of property so it is always best to double check with your local authority before you start work.
If you live in a terrace property, or want to build onto a neighbour’s adjoining wall, you will need to get a Party Wall Agreement in place. This ensures that both you and your neighbour are aware of and agree to the work, protecting both parties’ interests and addressing any potential disputes.
Do you need a Building Notice or full plans application?
This largely depends on the complexity of a scheme. For a larger, more arduous project we would always suggest you apply for a full planning application, as this route is a more detailed approach. As part of the submission, you include full architectural drawings, specifications and other documentation specific to the scheme. This careful approach ensures everything is pre-approved, reducing any risk of potential issues or costly changes later on in the build.
Building Notice is a simplified route, with only the essential details getting submitted. This can allow for flexibility during the build and can allow you to get started onsite quicker. However, during the construction phase the Building Control Officers would regularly conduct on-site inspections and recommendations which could involve additional unexpected changes as there are no set detailed plans in place. This route can work well for smaller, less complex projects.
Is it possible to build an extension without Building Regs?
No, it might be possible to build an extension without planning permission but not without building regulations as these are legal binding requirement in place to ensure the construction work meets regulatory standards and the building and fixtures are fit for purpose.
Building regulations apply to almost all types of building work, from small porches, a loft conversion or a large rear extension, they all must meet the minimum standards. If you go ahead without these necessary approvals in place, your local council could require you to remove it, or rebuild it to the meet the standards, it would also complicate a future sale of your property.
What other permissions or approvals do you need to build an extension?
Depending on the work needed and the property you are extending, there might be some other approvals you need to get in place before starting work.
When working on a listed building, any alterations—including extensions—require Listed Building Consent from the local planning authority. Listed buildings are protected for their historical and architectural significance, and any changes need to preserve their integrity. Doing work without this consent can lead to serious consequences, including fines or criminal charges.
If you don’t own the freehold of the property, such as in a leasehold arrangement, you must get Freehold Consent from the freeholder or landlord to clarify everything before proceeding with the extension. Lease agreements can have clauses that restrict modifications, so it’s crucial to carefully review the lease. This consent ensures you are legally allowed to make changes to the property, including building or extending.
A Party Wall Agreements are needed when the work involves a shared wall, fence or structure, often found with terrace or semi-detached properties. This agreement outlines how the work will be carried out, including when access is required and any potential impacts on the neighbour’s property. It protects both parties and can help avoid future disputes. If there’s no agreement in place and work starts, you may face legal action, especially if the work causes damage or encroachment on the neighbouring property.
Finally, we would always recommend using approved building inspectors for your project, as we often find this route is quicker, easier and better value for money.
The full article can be found here, or get in touch if you want to speak to the team directly about your extension project.
