Scallop House: A Rear Extension in Stoke Newington
by Sean Hill on Mar 24, 2026
Stoke Newington is a neighbourhood that wears its layers lightly. Victorian terraces line streets that have absorbed wave after wave of change - yet the area retains a quiet coherence. Gardens are generous. Brickwork is warm. The pace of life is slower than the city that surrounds it.
The Real Cost of a House Extension in London in 2026
by Sean Hill on Mar 19, 2026
So you've decided to extend. Now comes the question nobody gives you a straight answer to.
Living with Nature:Biophilic Design in Notting Hill Homes
by Sean Hill on Mar 18, 2026
There is a particular quality of light that falls through a well-placed rooflight, catching the grain of timber and the fringe of a fern. It does something to the body - a quiet calibration back to the natural world. This is the promise of biophilic design. And in Notting Hill, where …
Why We Give Our Time to Architecture That Matters: RISE Design Studio & the Paddington Old Cemetery Chapels
by Sean Hill on Mar 11, 2026
Every year, RISE Design Studio commits a set number of hours to charitable and community projects - work we believe in, offered pro bono. Right now, that commitment is focused on one of London's most compelling heritage and community stories: the restoration of the Victorian Gothic ch …
What a Sketch Taught Me About Leadership, Sustainability and the Non-Linear Path
by Sean Hill on Mar 6, 2026
Published for International Women's Day 2026
The Rules Have Changed. Is Your Application Ready?
by Sean Hill on Feb 13, 2026
What the April 2026 planning appeals reforms mean for homeowners and developers
Arches House: A West Hampstead Home Extension by RISE Design Studio Architects
by Sean Hill on Feb 7, 2026
In much of suburban London, home extensions follow a familiar pattern: white-rendered boxes, oversized glazing, and short-term thinking. They work - technically - but rarely inspire.
Notting Hill EnerPHit Retrofit - Reimagining Victorian Homes for a Low-Carbon Future
by Sean Hill on Feb 4, 2026
London's Victorian housing stock is extraordinary. Generous proportions. Handmade brick. A civic confidence baked into every facade.
AI and the Planning System: What Does It Mean for Your Home?
by Sean Hill on Feb 3, 2026
You may have seen the headlines. The government is introducing AI into the UK planning system. If you are thinking about a home extension, renovation, or retrofit, it is a reasonable thing to wonder about. Here is an honest view of what is changing, what is not, and what it means for …
Modular Construction & Net Zero: Why Whole-Life Carbon Thinking Is the Future of New Build Architecture
by Sean Hill on Jan 23, 2026
A Sector at a Crossroads There are moments in an industry when direction becomes destiny.
