“We used My/Architect for our extension and renovation project, and they were fantastic throughout. We worked with Dani, and we were able to design our project with her in real time. She was able to offer ideas and solutions, and we were really pleased with the drawings we ended up with. The matchmaking process when it came to finding a builder was one of the best things about working with them.”
Emma & Chris – 2024
Conservation area, Full internal renovation, Bow
Extension, internal renovation, Hackney
Kitchen extension, internal renovation, Palmers Green
Extension, internal renovation, Islington
Grade 2 Listed, Conservation Area, Full Renovation
“We interviewed a number of architectural firms to help us with our first home extension and no one left quite the same impression. Dani and Harry are both communicative and thorough. Not only did we feel supported and informed through the whole process but they also suggested creative designs we otherwise wouldn’t have thought of. They also successfully helped us attain planning approval on a locally listed property in a conservation area on our first go.”
At My/Architect, we specialise in high-end home renovations, extensions and interiors from £150k to £2m+, with deep experience delivering projects across London’s conservation areas.
We offer a fully integrated service that brings together architecture, interiors, contractor coordination and project management. Our approach is designed to provide homeowners with professional oversight throughout the design and delivery process, from the first consultation through to construction completion.
London is home to over 1,050 conservation areas across its boroughs. Our portfolio spans many of them, from the Victorian terraces of Walthamstow Village and Crouch End to the Georgian streets of Islington and the mansion blocks of Westminster. Whatever the area or housing typology, we bring the same rigour and local understanding to every project.
Led by Founder Harry Molyneux and Director Dani Schmidt, our team brings architectural expertise and on-site experience to London residential projects. We combine design vision with practical delivery across our architecture services, ensuring each home receives care and attention from start to finish.
Harry founded My/Architect to make residential architecture more practical and transparent. With over a decade of experience delivering London home extensions and refurbishments, he brings a rare mix of design knowledge and build expertise. Harry leads client strategy, ensuring every project is designed with cost, delivery, and quality in balance.
Dani oversees design development and project delivery, guiding clients from concept through to construction. With a background in residential architecture and interior detailing, she focuses on designs that combine aesthetic precision with real-world feasibility. Dani is known for her calm, structured approach and commitment to getting projects built well.
“Working with our architect, Dani, was an absolute pleasure. She brought an exceptional blend of creativity, professionalism, and dedication to every aspect of the project. Dani visited the site regularly, ensuring that the design vision was executed flawlessly and any issues were addressed promptly. We were absolutely delighted with the experience.”
There is no single national database for conservation areas equivalent to the Historic England List for listed buildings. The best starting point is your local planning authority. Most London councils publish interactive maps or searchable tools on their planning pages. You can also use the Historic England Heritage Gateway as a broader reference point.
An Article 4 Direction is a designation applied by a local planning authority that removes specific permitted development rights in a defined area. It does not prohibit development, it simply means that works which would otherwise be automatic now require a planning application. To check whether your property is affected, contact your local planning authority or review the conservation area appraisal for your street.
It depends on the type of extension, its scale, and whether your property is subject to an Article 4 Direction. Some single-storey rear extensions may still fall within permitted development even in a conservation area. However, roof extensions and dormer loft conversions always require full planning permission in conservation areas.
A conservation area appraisal is a document produced by the local planning authority that sets out the history and special character of the conservation area, and provides guidance on what kinds of development are considered appropriate. Proposals that demonstrably align with the appraisal are considerably more likely to succeed.
Being in a conservation area and being a listed building are separate designations. To check whether your home is listed, search the Historic England List by address. If your property is listed, Listed Building Consent will also be required for any works affecting its character.
Most applications are submitted via the national Planning Portal, which handles drawings, supporting documents and fees. Some London boroughs also accept direct submissions through their own planning portals. The standard determination period is eight weeks.
Working within a conservation area demands a higher level of design care and planning knowledge than standard residential work. Local planning authorities scrutinise applications closely, with a statutory duty to pay special attention to preserving or enhancing the character and appearance of the area.
Our experience spans a broad range of conservation area projects: rear extensions and side returns in Hackney, loft conversions and full refurbishments in Camden, and comprehensive renovations of period townhouses in Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham.
Many homeowners assume that living in a conservation area severely limits what they can achieve. In practice, the right design approach makes a significant difference. We have delivered rear extensions, side returns, loft conversions and full-scale refurbishments for properties across London’s conservation areas.
Our integrated approach, combining architecture, interior design and contractor coordination under one roof, is particularly valuable for conservation area projects, where material choices, design details and spatial decisions need to be considered together from the very start.
Living in a conservation area does not automatically remove all of your permitted development rights. Where rights are more significantly restricted is where an Article 4 Direction has been issued by the local planning authority.
Our team carries out this due diligence as standard and manages the full planning submission on your behalf, including heritage design statements, detailed architectural drawings, and all correspondence with the local authority. Our 95% planning success rate reflects the care we invest in every application before it is submitted.
Our starting point is always the conservation area appraisal and the character of the specific street or setting. Good conservation area design is not about pastiche, it is about understanding what gives the area its character and producing a proposal that is clearly considered in that context. We produce detailed heritage design statements alongside our architectural drawings to make that case clearly to the planning officer from the outset.
Yes. We manage the entire planning process on your behalf, from initial due diligence on Article 4 Directions and conservation area appraisals through to submission, correspondence with the local authority, and any revisions required during assessment. Our 95% planning success rate reflects the care we invest in every application before it is submitted.
This varies by borough, by conservation area, and by the specific Article 4 Directions in place. As a general principle, external alterations that are visible from the street are subject to closer scrutiny than those that are not. Roof extensions and dormer conversions always require planning permission in a conservation area. We carry out this assessment as a standard part of our process.
Yes. We work across London and have specific experience in the boroughs with the most significant conservation area coverage, including Westminster (56 conservation areas), Wandsworth (46), Hammersmith & Fulham (45), Islington (42), Camden (40) and Hackney (30+).
We specialise in high-end projects typically ranging from £150k to over £2m. This focus allows us to provide a dedicated, boutique level of service for homeowners seeking premium extensions and full-scale renovations, with the level of design quality that conservation area applications require.
For more information on our process across the capital, visit our London residential architects overview.