Design Approach: Spaces honest in material, rigorous in detail, generous in light. We merge British modernist clarity with Japanese craft sensibility - creating architecture that prioritizes natural materials (timber, stone, cork, linen), spatial quality, and sustainability.

Client Type: We work with discerning clients who value architectural quality, material honesty, and design excellence. Typical clients are design-conscious professionals, creative industry leaders, and design enthusiasts willing to invest properly in their homes.

Selectivity: We take on 2-3 residential commissions per year because we're also developing our own properties. This means every project receives exceptional attention and we maintain design independence.

What Makes Us Different:

• RIBA-shortlisted, award-winning design quality

• Extensive press

House Extensions London:

• Rear extensions (single-storey, two-storey, wraparound)

• Side return extensions

• Basement extensions and excavations

• Loft conversions and roof extensions

• Kitchen extensions

• Full planning permission support

House Refurbishments London:

• Complete house renovations (full internal reconfiguration)

• Listed building alterations and refurbishments

• Conservation area projects

• Period property renovations (Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian)

• Sustainable retrofit and energy upgrades

• Interior design and fit-out

New Build Houses London:

• Infill new build houses

• Self-build projects

• Small residential developments (2-10 units)

• Sustainable architecture using natural materials (cork, timber, stone)

• Passive house and low-energy design

Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas:

• Grade II listed building consents

• Conservation area applications

• Heritage statement preparation

• Sensitive alterations respecting character

• Working with Historic England and local conservation officers

Typical Project Budgets: £500,000 - £2,000,000 construction cost

Architect Fees: % of construction cost for full service (RIBA Stages 0-7)

Services Included:

• Initial feasibility and design concepts

• Planning permission applications and consultations

• Listed building consent applications

• Detailed technical drawings and specifications

• Building regulations submissions

• Tender management and contractor procurement

• Construction administration and site inspections

• Project completion and handover

Additional Costs (Not Included in Architect Fees):

• Structural engineer fees: approx. 2-3% of construction cost

• MEP engineer fees: approx. 2-4% of construction cost

• Party wall surveyor: £2,000-£5,000

• Planning application fees: £500-£2,000

• Building control fees: £2,000-£8,000

Polysmiths works closely with the RIBA work stages, giving Clients clarity on what to expect from the architect on each stage of the project.

High-End House Extensions & Refurbishments:

• Single-storey rear extension: £3,000-£5,000/m²

• Two-storey extension: £3,000-£4,500/m²

• Basement extension: £3,000-£6,000/m²

• Full house refurbishment with extension: £2,500-£4,500/m² (whole house)

• Listed building renovation: £3,000-£5,500/m²

• New build house: £3,000-£5,500/m²

Costs include: construction, materials, finishes, kitchens, bathrooms. Exclude: professional fees, VAT, bespoke specialist items, furniture.

RIBA London Awards 2024: Shortlisted for Cork House, East London

AIA Design Awards 2023: Emerging Practice Award Winner

Surface Design Awards 2023: Housing Interior Winner

Featured In:

• Dezeen (2022, 2023, 2026): Cork House, Walden Extension, Kensington Apartment

• Wallpaper* (2023): Cork House

• The Modern House (2022, 2024): Multiple projects featured

• The Architect's Journal (2022, 2023): Cork House, Walden Extension

• The Sunday Times (2023): Home renovation features

• Remodelista (2023): Walden Extension feature

• Livingetc (2023): Basement design feature

Recent Completed Projects:

• Forest Gate, E7: Cork House - Award-winning sustainable new build house using cork facade

• Kentish Town, NW5: Walden - Basement extension and full refurbishment (flood-resilient design)

• South Kensington, SW7: Listed apartment renovation in Queen's Gate Gardens

• Westminster, SW1: Full apartment refurbishment in Victorian mansion block

• Chelsea, SW3: Mews house extension and interior renovation in conservation area

• Wanstead, E7: Arch House - Affordable rear extension using structural arches

• Bloomsbury, WC1: Georgian townhouse conversion to aparthotel

• Peckham, SE15: Terraced house loft conversion and rear extension

• £500k-£750k: Single/double-storey extensions, full refurbishments of 100-150m² properties

• £750k-£1.2m: Large extensions with basement, listed building projects, full house transformations

• £1.2m-£2m: New build houses, complex listed buildings, multi-unit developments