About us
Scenario Architecture is a London-based practice founded on home extensions and renovations. Our creative solutions to the space constraints of urban living transform period homes into luxurious, hard-working spaces with smart storage and fluid layouts.
Our portfolio tends toward the high end of the market, yet we know all homeowners have concerns about extension costs. Scenario works with top architects, builders and cutting-edge technology to tap the potential of every home we approach, creating luxury – and the luxury of space – at competitive prices.
At Scenario, our architects take communication seriously. Good communication and the technical knowhow to efficiently carry out our clients’ wishes are what keep costs in check. When we design a loft extension, basement, side return or rear extension, we make sure our clients have control over every decision and every material. Our client-led process is what has made Scenario so successful since our first residential project in 2007. Scenario homes are tailor made to the needs of each of our clients, and every finished project tells their story – not ours.
Our landmark residential project Scenario House, located in Stoke Newington, East London, demonstrates the potential of a fully expanded and renovated Victorian home delivered on time and on budget for a growing family. Still as fresh and efficient today as when we put it to paper, it merges contemporary steel, glass, reclaimed wood, antique brick and eco-friendly elements that look extravagant but don’t cost the earth.
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Projects
Full renovation of a family home, exploring the connection between living spaces
The Scenario House, Stoke Newington during NLA Open house event
Starting your Fulham project
Fulham Architects Your Fulham project
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Most building projects in Fulham require approval from the local authority. Fulham architects can help you through the process, collaborating with council officials to see through your application. Scenario Architects has successfully steered clients through the permissions stage.
We’ve drawn up an illustrated synopsis to help guide you through the planning process for a Fulham-based renovation, restoration, addition or new-build.
Focal Shift fire place, first project as local architects in Hackney E9
The Scenario house, Hackney during NLA Open house event
2017
Your Double Storey Extension project
As a tool for homeowners thinking about extending into the loft, basement, garden or side return, we’ve compiled some handy research. Click here to read our illustrated overview, outlining the various stages. Remember: most residential architecture projects in and around London require planning permission from the local council. A good architecture practice will have built a successful record securing planning permission with various local councils. To help you navigate the planning-permission process for any kind of home extension, we’ve created a step-by-step guide, which you can download below.
If you are thinking about starting an architectural project in Hackney, be it a renovation, or an extension to an existing property or even a new build house we are here to help.
We created a created a brief and illustrated overview of the process to help you understand what to expect through the various stages of a residential, extension, renovation or new build project in Hackney, E9.
Most projects would need planning permission, which in Stoke Newington, Clapton, Dalston, Shoreditch and all other Hackney Neighbourhoods will require obtaining planning permission from Hackney Council. Our extensive track record working with Hackney planning department and successfully securing planning permissions for our clients enables us to consider Hackney our home court.
TIP: To find out the actual track record which any architects you may be considering has with your local council, go to the planning application search page on your local council’s website and use the search by agent option.
To help you understand in more detail what is required for obtaining planning permission in Hackney E9 we created a helpful and clear guide which you can download below:
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Working with Scenario Architecture on your Fulham project
Fulham Architects Your Fulham project >> Scenario Architecture
This guide is suitable for people who intend to make alterations to their homes that will require the consent of their local council.
It is based on our own extensive experience and explains in simple terms the UK planning process and how to successfully navigate through it.
We have put together this guide to explain, in a simple way, how to put in an application for planning permission in Stoke Newington. It is aimed at people who want to make alterations to their homes that will require the consent of their local council. We have over 10 years experience of doing planning permissions and hope we can share some clarity on the process, and the main points you will need to think about.
Our boutique studio specialises in residential architecture, offering bespoke services for home additions, renovations and new-builds. Based in Hackney, we practice across London and beyond.
A RIBA Chartered Practice, Scenario complies with the UK’s strict health and safety criteria. We collaborate closely with our clients throughout every stage of the process, from the design phase, through planning and construction. We aim to deliver every project on time and on budget.
Our skilled team works with the latest 3D design technology: real-time digital visualisations and virtual reality. We feel they are the most effective and efficient tools for seeing through our work, choosing fittings and simulating natural light.
This Chartered Institute of Building case study features a recent Scenario project, demonstrating the benefits of advanced technologies in designing for the domestic sphere.
Working with Scenario Architecture on your Hackney project
This guide is suitable for people who intend to make alterations to their homes that will require the consent of their local council.
It is based on our own extensive experience and explains in simple terms the UK planning process and how to successfully navigate through it.
We have put together this guide to explain, in a simple way, how to put in an application for planning permission in Stoke Newington. It is aimed at people who want to make alterations to their homes that will require the consent of their local council. We have over 10 years experience of doing planning permissions and hope we can share some clarity on the process, and the main points you will need to think about.
Established in 2007, Scenario Architecture is a boutique architecture studio focused on the high-end residential sector, working extensively throughout and around London. We specialise in every scale and type of domestic project, from interior alterations, through full renovations and refurbishments to new build homes. We offer a full bespoke architecture service tailored to fit your requirements and aspirations.
Our friendly and highly skilled team has the knowledge, experience and expertise necessary to take you step-by-step through the challenging and exciting journey of creating your new home. We will work together with you in close collaboration from initial design, through detail design and planning all the way to tender, construction and successful completion of your project on time and within budget.
Scenario Architecture is an RIBA Chartered Practice, which essentially means that we are compliant with the RIBA (Royal Institute of Chartered Architects) strict criteria, covering insurance, health and safety and quality management systems.
As early adopters of latest technology, we use as a standard for all projects a verity of innovative 3D design and visualisation tools to create and communicate design with our clients. Our experience shows that Real-Time visualisations and Virtual Reality tours are extremely powerful tools to streamline the process of choosing material finishes fixtures and fittings as well as simulating realistic natural light conditions.
When we produce accurate and reliable construction information we use the latest 3D BIM technology, (BIM stands for Building Information Modelling) which means that all project information is derived from a single accurate and coordinated 3D model. Using this cutting-edge technology collaboratively with other consultants as well as contractors has proven to save time and cost for our clients.
A case study featuring one of our projects was published by the Chartered Institute of Building, demonstrating the great benefits of this advanced technology specifically with domestic projects.
Scenario Architecture in London deliver design and architectural expertise for residential projects. We were established in 2007 by Ran Ankory and Maya Carni who both trained with the AA School of Architecture. Scenario have grown to an award-winning team of nine. We have been featured in Dezeen and Elle Decoration UK.
Our highly experienced team of architects Stoke Newington work with clients using innovative 3D and Virtual Reality technology that simulates your new home before the first brick is even laid. This simulation technique allows you to see beautiful scenarios, designed to fit your life. An organic process, it often influences the choice of materials and design methods.
If you are looking for a top architects Stoke Newington, we are based here and can help with your project. We are a RIBA Chartered Practice and we operate across the following areas and postal districts: Camden, Dalston, Hackney, Hampstead, Highgate, Haringey, Islington, East London, Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea, Mayfair, Notting Hill, North London, West London, West Hampstead, Shoreditch, Southwark, Stoke Newington, N1, N6, NW3, N16 and E5.
Full-width extension opens to the beautiful garden of this Victorian property
Complete renovation and extension of a family home
Scenario is an established architecture practice focusing on contemporary residential design. We take on projects of every scale and scope, from home refurbishment, renovation and expansions to new-builds.
A genteel pocket of London, built around a dip in the Thames, Fulham is known for its peaceful residential streets and creative lore. Less industrialised than Hammersmith, to one side, and less swish than Chelsea, to the other, it enjoys a cosy neighbourhood feel with pretty workers’ cottages and pockets of green. Intimate streets with roomy Victorian and Edwardian terraces lead out to the river and Fulham Palace, an ancient bishops’ manor. These are the most attractive places to live in the area. The leafy roads leading towards Fulham Road and New King’s Road are the most fashionable. Fulham’s artisanal heritage – started with the weavers and glassworkers of the 17th century – continue today. Artisan studios occupy disused industrial buildings and a historic foundry. Hubs of design shops pop up all over the neighbourhood.
One of the biggest housing booms in Victorian London played out in Fulham. The area’s tall, sturdy, generously proportioned houses make safe and attractive prospects for a family home, with nooks and crannies to exploit and decent-sized gardens in which to extend. Because the layout of the typical Fulham home is part of London’s residential architectural canon, Fulham architects – and of course architects from across the capital – are well versed in their potential.
Victorian renovations are more compassionate today than they’ve ever been, with homeowners striving to preserve architectural elements like decorative cornicing, ceiling roses, skirting boards and dada rails. Sash windows are being replaced by specially made wood reproductions and wood-burning fireplaces recouped after being sealed off for decades. Paint companies like Farrow & Ball have built multinationals out of replicating the de rigueur colours of Victorian times. And new tile ceramicists are bringing back traditional motifs with contemporary silhouettes, for front gardens and foyers. Hardwood floors have made a comeback, with timber salvage and reproduction going strong.
Most renovations focus on transforming the core of the home, and revolutionise the kitchen and bathrooms in the process. To recoup the extra floor area today’s families have become accustomed to, Fulham architects are extending into voids in the lofts and side returns common in Victorians. Small period kitchens can open up into the side return without eradicating period features; in the recovered space, a corner can be reserved for a powder room or utility room. Ditto the loft: pushing up the ceiling and pushing out dormer windows can make new space available for an en suite bathroom.
With extending out into dead space comes the welcoming in of natural light. Upward-facing Velux windows become possible once the upper floor is properly extended and the main floor pushed out beyond the confines of the original footprint. If a second-storey extension is permitted in your plans, an internal void can bring natural light from the top floor downwards, and vice versa.
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Full-width extension opens to the beautiful garden of this Victorian property
Complete renovation and extension of a family home
Fulham Architects In our clients words
We wanted to renovate our house in a conservation area in central London. Given this involved a complete demolition and new build with an extra floor on top, getting planning approval was always going to be tricky. Scenario did an amazing job on the new house 'envelope' and throughout the planning phase. We couldn't have wished for better from them and having succeeded in gaining planning approval owe them a very big 'thank you'. 
Scenario designed a kitchen extension for us, and we are delighted with the results. The process was well organised, planned and delivered, and the whole team were a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend them for their design, planning and project management skills. 
Worked with these guys on the internal development of our office. From start to finish they were great. They got what we wanted first time and really made working with them very easy. Their aftercare has been great too helping us deal with something that they were not involved with in the first place. Will highly recommend them to anyone. See all Google reviews
Working with Scenario Architecture
Our boutique architecture practice focuses on residential extensions, new-builds and renovations for budgets at the higher end. Our bespoke service tackles projects of every scale and scope, making city-living more accessible, comfortable and enjoyable for the future.
Our clients are kept in the know every step of the way. We consult with them regularly, from the drafting phase through moving day. In between, we work on site with all our contractors and builders with the goal that each project finishes on time and on budget.
Scenario architects adopt cutting-edge design technology as soon as it’s made available. In our experience, real-time visualisations are efficient, cost-saving tools when choosing fixtures and fittings and simulating natural light. State-of-the-art 3D design and visualisation tools are standard on all our projects.
Before breaking ground, we always produce reliable construction information with up-to-date 3D building information modelling (BIM) technology. We mine all our data from accurate 3D models to save our clients costs at every stage. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) published this case study featuring a project in our portfolio. It demonstrates the benefits of advanced technology for domestic architecture.
Scenario is a RIBA Chartered Practice complying with the strict criteria of the Royal Institute of Chartered Architects. Our relationship with RIBA helps to protect our clients against health and safety issues with quality-management systems.
In our client's words
Dalston is less a defined London territory than it is a neighbourhood of like-minded people. Roughly defined in the west by the A10, the city’s oldest Roman-dug road, it floats between Clapton, Hoxton and Islington. But more than its geographical location, it expresses itself with its liberal, tolerant, international attitude.
The working-class population that first settled here in the 19th-century, rippling out from the Regents Canal, converted farmland into industrial sites and small Victorian cottages. They were joined by immigrants from multiple countries and religions, together building up a modest community outside the confines of the City of London. After a postwar slump, the neighbourhood came alive toward the end of the last century. Artists began settling here, spilling out from Hoxton and Shoreditch, seeking inexpensive post-industrial workspace, artistic freedom and places to exhibit their art. As per the rules of gentrification, young professionals and families followed. They’ve transformed the old warehouses, factories and stables into appealing and spacious homes. And in the brownfields between them, architects have designed experimental contemporary homes, creating housing where none existed while pushing the boundaries of their craft.
Live-work spaces, purpose-built apartment blocks and modern terrace housing have sprung up among the historic brick and contemporary timber constructions, giving the neighbourhood a dynamic and unpredictable character. People of all cultures and brackets live side-by-side, and businesses are popping up to serve them. They combine to make Dalston an area of great potential, for people who seek a multicultural atmosphere and an unconventional lifestyle.
If you’re a fan of heritage housing, look to the streets radiating east off Stoke Newington High Street and Kingsland Road. Streets like Forest Road and Richmond Road, leading to Gayhurst Community School and London Fields, are chock-a-block with tall, broad Victorian family homes and repurposed factories. With the old brick and ironwork maintained, new residents are slowly fixing them up and maximising their potential. Further north, Shacklewell Lane, Sandringham Road and St Marks Rise are attracting new buyers to the grand tree-lined streets. Homes here rise to four storeys, many of them in need of an upgrade. Buyers seeking a fixer-upper, or a tired family home on which to put a personal stamp, would have lots of opportunity here. At the heart of this enclave sits St Marks Dalston, one of the largest neighbourhood churches in the country – larger in area than Southwark Cathedral. Its Gothic rose window and French-inflected tower, built a century ago, dominate the road.
Loft extensions are more of a rule than an exception in Dalston, as are side-return kitchen extensions. Local architects like Scenario are well versed in the expansion and renovation process here, and manoeuvre their designs successfully through the planning and heritage departments. The results are often stripped-back, light-filled versions of the original Victorian architecture, offering vast entertaining spaces and private nooks for growing families.
Further Reading
So you’ve bought a home. In London and beyond, that’s a huge move. Nearly any property you purchase in Britain’s southeast will retain or accumulate value. When and if it turns out you need to grow your living space, you’ll want any enhancements you make to your home’s footprint to enhance the value of your asset, too. A good architect will factor in your home’s location, layout and structural integrity as well as the size of your family to make your desired project work for you and your budget. After all: house extension cost shouldn’t cancel out the benefits of a house extension.
It’s always difficult to project the cost of extending without evaluating the home itself, the homeowners and their plans. But it’s likely you can nearly double the size of your home’s original floor area at a fraction of the cost of the home’s value, even at upwards of £2,000 per square metre. Plus you will, of course, gain a nearly new living space without paying the stamp duty and agents’ fees associated with moving house – although you may need to purchase renovations insurance.
As with most construction, it is wise to source a few quotes for extending your house. With a range of budgets at hand, you’ll be able to assess which seem low, high and just about right, and choose accordingly. The foundation, walls and roof will suck up about 15 per cent of your costs, followed by Velux windows and rear glazing. You’ll want to price fixtures, fittings, appliances and any upgraded materials separately, so as not to be shocked when you receive your last invoice – new kitchens are particularly pricey, so keep your eyes out for deals and floor sales in the months leading up to a project.
In some neighbourhoods around London, home extensions are classified under “permitted development”, meaning they don’t require planning permission from the council in question if the final plans heed the extended volume requirements of the area. Avoiding time-consuming planning applications will save you money in the short run. Once you’ve agreed on a budget, set up a payment plan with your architect and builders that works for everyone. A great architect should be a problem-solver first and foremost: fitting the rhythm of your life into a physical shape and making sure every element of your home can be achieved structurally legally and financially. The professional you choose should create a bespoke space deeply attuned to your needs – not just today but in the future. He or she will be able to design special touches that make your life more efficient and pleasurable.
Less a costly investment or superfluous expense, a great architect is a value-adder, paying for him or herself over and over. Many homeowners, in an effort to cut costs, end up spending much more to fix the mistakes they make themselves or entrust to a layman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Double Storey Extensions: Guide to Planning, Design and Build
Building a double storey extension can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Making the right decisions during the planning stage will ensure that you get exactly what you want within your budget. This guide will take you through some of the most important considerations when designing and building a new two-storey extension to your home or office.
Double story extensions are effective because:
- They are cost-effective
- It improves the layouts of existing structures
- They are more sensible than moving houses
What Is a Double Storey Extension?
A double storey extension is a second-floor level added to the top of your home. It can be an excellent way to add more space without moving houses and make more efficient use out of the room you already have.You can achieve a double storey extension with several different materials, but the most common is brick or concrete blockwork on the exterior and plasterboard lining on both sides of interior walls.
They are often combined with additions to living spaces such as kitchen extensions to make them more functional for families. This arrangement also provides plenty of space for storage and utilities.
It is worth noting that a double storey extension will increase the weight of your home, which can impact the foundations depending on where you live. If there are any questions about whether this would be suitable in your area, it is best to consult with a structural engineer before undertaking any work with an architect or builder.
Adding a Double Storey Extension to the Rear
A double storey extension to the rear is an excellent way of adding space without moving house or changing your existing home's layout. The first thing you need to consider when designing and building this type of addition is how it will connect with other parts of the house, such as stairs – if there are any at all. For instance, to connect the extension with the upper floors of an existing home, you’ll need a staircase.One advantage of adding the extension to the rear is that you will be adding square footage to the back of your house rather than at the front. As a result, there should be less traffic going up and downstairs in this part of the house.
If there is no upstairs access, it may make sense to run your stairs down one side or along the back for easy movement between rooms. It's also worth considering how you want the space in your new extension - do you want more bedrooms with en-suites or a living room with enough space for the whole family?
Adding a Double Storey Extension to the Side
If you are considering adding a double storey extension to the side of your home, it is essential to consider how this will affect light. For example, the orientation and inclination of windows in an existing property can be affected by extending one side. As well as that, extra rooms created with a two-storey extension on either side may not receive natural light at the same time of day, which will make it difficult to use.A two-storey extension on one side may not be possible, depending on your home's orientation and weight rating. If you are unsure whether this would work for you, consult with an architect or builder beforehand.
An advantage of this setup is that it can be a good opportunity to add more living space if your home is in an urban area where houses are close together.
Why Are Two-Storey Extensions So Popular?
It is difficult to add an extension to the front of your property and would increase traffic on stairs.The number one reason why double storey extensions are so popular with homeowners is their space-efficient design. In addition to being an excellent way for families or those living alone to make better use of rooms they already have, it can be a great way to add extra living space in urban areas where there is not much room for new homes.
Most people opt for brick or concrete blockwork on the exterior with plasterboard lining. Still, you can also get an extension built using timber frame and clad with weatherboard, asbestos cement boards products like Reynobond® Fleece-backed metal sheets or a mix of materials.
Permitted Development Rights for Two Storey House Extensions
In England, a two-storey extension is permitted development. This means that there are no planning requirements for an individual building inspector to approve this type of construction - as long as the householder follows certain rules and regulations.A permit is required in Wales if you're extending on more than 25% of the original floor area or if the extension is less than 0.25 metres from a boundary line – but in England, this isn't necessary unless you are applying for planning permission because of other considerations
There Are Certain Rules and Regulations Which You Must Follow When Adding On Two Storeys
- It can't be taller than the highest part of your house- It can't exceed a height and width greater than half that of your home extension. For example, if you have an existing 100m² floor space on three storeys, then it would not be possible to add a two-storey extension with more than 50m² in area
- It can't be any closer than 0.25 metres to a boundary line
- You must tell your neighbours about the planned extension and give them written notice of when it will start
Planning Permission To Build a Two Storey Extension
You will need planning permission for any two-storey extension which is more than 25% of the original floor area or if it's less than 0.25 metres from a boundary line.To get planning permission in England, you must submit an application to your local authority that includes:
- A site plan (showing where the extension will be)
- A maximum floor plan (showing the size of the extension, including internal stairs and landings)
- The height, width and area of any new extensions. You must also show these details on a site plan if possible
Do I Need Building Regulations Approval To Build a Double Storey Extension?
Building Regulations Approval is unnecessary for a two-storey extension if it falls under the 'Permitted Development Rights' section of the Building Act (England).Two Storey House Extension Ideas: How To Design Yours?
Two-storey extensions offer a great way to make better use of rooms you already have at home or add extra living space. But, how do you design them?Internal Layout Ideas for Downstairs and Upstairs Rooms
Downstairs: The downstairs design can be flexible, but here are some ideas for a two-storey extension concerning the layout of rooms.- You might want to use your ground floor as an office or a craft room - which could also work well with kids' games and messy activities like cooking do their best.
- You might want to use the first floor as bedrooms - which could be great for younger children who need their own space.
- It's essential to consider your family's needs and how you want to use the new space.
- Put bedrooms on either side of a central stairway, with one designated as an en suite bathroom - this could be great if there are older children sharing rooms who need privacy from younger kids.
- Separate bedrooms by gender or age group, which would make it easier for parents to keep track of their children.
- Consider the size and layout of rooms because this may affect your living space on ground level - for example, if you place an ensuite upstairs, there will be less room downstairs in a two-storey extension design.
Bi-Folding vs Sliding Doors for Double Storey Extensions
When putting in a two-storey extension, you may want to consider the doors.- Bi-folding doors will give you more space and make it easy for people to walk through - but they require lots of width on your staircase or new hallway
- Sliding doors are great if there's no room on the stairs, as they don't need a lot of width. But, they can be tricky to use if you're not used to them
Exterior Materials for the Extension
Don't forget to think about the materials you will use for your exterior, as these could also affect how much light comes into the extension.- Brick and stone are solid but can be expensive - they're suitable in two-storey extensions that have been around a while
- Tiles or cladding create a clean look with lots of natural light but can be expensive
- Timber cladding is lightweight and relatively inexpensive, making it a popular choice for two-storey extensions in the UK
Adding a Two Storey Extension to a Detached House
A two-storey extension to a detached house can have many benefits, either for the home or its occupants. First, you must get an architect involved in the planning stages - they will help with all aspects of design and construction.Adding a Two Storey Extension to a Semi-Detached House
A two-storey extension to a semi-detached house can be a great way to increase the living space, but you must get an architect involved in design and construction - they will help with all aspects of planning.Adding a Two Storey Extension to a Terraced House
A two-storey extension to a terraced house can be great for increasing the living space, but it's essential you get an architect involved because they will help with all aspects of design and construction.Adding a Double Storey Extension to a Listed Building
A two-storey extension to a listed building can provide you with much-needed living space without compromising the character of your home. It's important that you get an architect involved in planning - they will be able to help with all aspects of design and construction.Adding a Double Extension in a Conservation Area
A two-storey extension in a conservation area can be great for adding living space to your home, but it's important you get an architect involved because they will help with all aspects of design and construction.How Do You Find and Choose the Right Extension Architect?
- Ask friends, family and neighbours for recommendations - then ask them what qualities the architect they recommend has
- Talk to extension architects in your area; you may want someone who lives close by or one that is willing to travel. Find out how big their team is (building an extension can be a very time-consuming process)
How Do You Find and Choose a Good Reliable Builder for Building a Two Storey Extension?
- Make sure your builder has experience in building extensions - it's important that they can adapt their plans and ideas if something goes wrong
- A cheaper quote may tempt you, but some builders will use inferior materials or cut corners
What Is The Cost of a Two Storey Extension?
- A two-storey extension on a standard detached house should cost around £65,000 - £95,000
- A two-storey extension on a semi-detached house should cost around £70,000 - £85,000
- A two-storey extension on a terraced house should cost around £65,000 - £95,000.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Double Storey Extension?
The time it takes to build a two-storey extension will depend on many factors, including the size of your extension and whether or not you're building from scratch. It can take anything from six to eighteen months for an average-sized double storey extension in either a detached or semi-detached house with no planning issues.How Can Scenario Architecture Help?
- We offer free consultations so you can find out what your options are and how much it will cost
- You must be clear about the layout of your extension before work begins - so you can get help with all aspects of design.