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The John Lewis Christmas advert premiered this week, and like many Gen Xers, I was wowed by the choice of music, Alison Limerick’s “Where Love Lives.” As anyone who knows me will tell you that it was a bit of an anthem for me back in the day. Naturally, the advert has set the emotional tone for the season, just in time for me to start planning The Gentleman Architect’s Annual Christmas Party and Advent Calendar. The Guest List Exclusive, intimate, and fully booked. Attendance

The Rarity of a New House in London by The Gentleman Architect – Dulwich Architect (RIBA, ARB) For most London architects, the chance to design a completely new house is rare. The city’s history, conservation areas, and dense urban fabric mean that almost every project starts with an existing building. Most of my work involves adapting and extending homes across South London - Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis, 1930s infills, and postwar houses - each with their own charact

Five Years On: The Evolution of a Crystal Palace Garden by The Gentleman Architect – Dulwich Architect (RIBA, ARB) Exactly five years ago, I took a photograph that, at the time, didn’t look like much - a newly poured retaining wall, a sloped site full of clay, and a few concrete manhole rings stacked in the mud, waiting for purpose. That site photo marked the beginning of what would become one of my favourite small-scale design transformations. Those same concrete manhole rin

by The Gentleman Architect – Dulwich Architect (RIBA, ARB) For nearly twenty years, I co-ran a small architecture practice with three partners. At its height, we were five or six people - never a large firm, but enough to share the load, juggle projects, and navigate the highs and lows of business together. Eventually, the practice came to its natural end. After two decades, priorities had shifted, ambitions evolved, and the time felt right to move on. Now, as a sole practiti

Architecture is a serious business - but that doesn’t mean an architect’s name has to be. In a profession that can sometimes take itself a little too seriously, there’s real value in having a name that makes people pause and smile. A playful or unusual title isn’t about diminishing professionalism; it’s about being memorable. Clients meet dozens of architects, browse endless websites, and flip through pages of planning applications. A name that sparks curiosity stands out. It

by the The Gentleman Architect – Dulwich Architect (RIBA, ARB) Work is well underway on our Carshalton extension and refurbishment project, and it’s always a satisfying moment when the RIBA Chartered Architect  signboard goes up on the scaffolding — a small but proud reminder of the standards and professionalism that guide every project I take on. The site has now moved through its initial demolition phase, with a full tin-hat scaffold  installed to protect the structure and

When a homeowner first contacts an architect, the next step is often a visit to the property. But should that visit be free, or should it come with a consultation fee? Architects approach this very differently, and there are good arguments on both sides. The Case for Charging Some architects argue that an initial home visit is professional advice and should be treated as such. It often includes practical design suggestions, comments on planning restrictions, and thoughts on b

When embarking on a home extension or refurbishment, choosing the right architect is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Beyond design flair and technical knowledge, one factor clients often overlook is location. Working with an architect based close to your home brings unique advantages that can shape the success of your project. At The Gentleman Architect , my practice is rooted in South London. This proximity not only allows me to bring architectural expertise

I hope I’m not jumping the gun but I need to change the name of my Lockdown Architectural service. This also means that I finally get...

Maybe now is the time to think about your home. Update. Last week I was contacted via this blog by a London family who wanted some help...

The hidden development potential of hard to sell homes. Episode 6 "Right smack dab in the middle of town I've found a paradise that's...

Maybe now is the time to think about your home. Update. Wow, that went well. Thanks to those that got in touch about my introductory...

Maybe now is the time to think about your home. A bit of a small departure this week from my usual blog, no less of the shameless self...

The hidden development potential of hard to sell homes. Episode 5 “If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better...

The hidden development potential of hard to sell homes. Episode 4 Time to step it up and head across the river as well. To the land of...

The hidden development potential of hard to sell homes. Episode 3 Well, here I go again on my own, as David Coverdale once sang... I...

The hidden development potential of hard to sell homes. Episode 2 OK prop pickers, I ummed and ahhed about this one, a potential beauty;...

The hidden development potential of hard to sell homes. Episode 1 You could buy this house on a self financing buy to let mortgage and...

In 2009 property developers were pretty thin on the ground, for good reason, the Credit Crisis. Developers were being put out of business...

Having spent 20 years just muddling through, and doing pretty well, Louise Rodgers of http://www.eidyia.co.uk/ has really helped me...