Common to all our projects is the use of glass to bring natural light into all parts of a project and to provide a better visual and physical connection between the Interior and exterior. These vary from structural glass panels set into the floor to glass cubes housing stairs. Large scale glazed panels and rooflights feature in our projects.

“Shape Architecture have successfully met the criteria laid down in a number of ways including the creation of an interior that works around the principles of transparency, openness and light. Their attention to detail was exemplary.”

– Mr. P Gillies , Transformation of Listed Apartment

Our portfolio of basement extensions throughout London includes several in Barnes, such as a below garden basement in Suffolk Road. This project is set largely below the existing rear garden and in part below a rear ground floor extension. It follows another Barnes basement project at Nassau Road, where we also secured planning permission for a below garden basement.

Our client had asked how to bring light into the basement and we were able to illustrate through a series of computer models that a central lightwell acting as a small courtyard garden at basement level would provide a great deal of light and a sense of openness at basement level. Several glass panels set in the paving above also reinforced the amount of daylight brought into the basement.

Shape Architecture has been successful in obtaining planning permission for roof terraces throughout London.  These vary from those to Listed Buildings such as Florin Court, to a variety of Mews houses.  Our portfolio of roof terrace projects also includes those to typical terraced houses and in several instances the house is divided into flats where the provision of a roof terrace to the upper floor flat is even more beneficial.

Our basement projects form an important part of our portfolio of work.  We have carried out over 30 basement projects throughout London.  Our basement extensions range from those to mews properties, to houses and below gardens and flats.

A successful basement extension rests on the bringing in of natural light into the interior, which is key in creating a quality of space and this is where we have much experience.  Added to this is the design of the stair which might be sat below a glazed section of roof.  Thereafter the arrangement of rooms and their relationship with lightwells is important to consider.

Click to link to our project in Nassau Road

Shape Architecture communicates clearly to our clients, and this is at the foundation for a successful project.  All designs, no matter what size are developed in 3D, as shown for our projects in Suffolk Road and Nassau Road in Barnes.  A typical concept proposals brochure will have 5 different options described in 3D, 2D and freehand drawings and this will be the basis for discussion with the Client as we determine the preferred design.   We are also able to provide animations of projects and model the movement of the sun through an interior.