Hey folks,
I’m hoping someone here can help me out — I’m starting to plan a new house project in Balham, and I’m on the hunt for a solid residential architect. I know there are tons of firms out there, but I’d really prefer someone who gets the local style and knows their way around the area.
Balham has such a unique vibe — tree-lined streets, older homes with charm, and not a ton of space in the backyards to work with. I don’t want a cookie-cutter design; I want something creative that still fits the character of the neighborhood. But also, let’s be real — I don’t want to spend the next year chasing people for drawings or permits.
So yeah, if anyone’s worked with an architect around here and had a good experience, I’d love to hear about it. Bonus points if they’re easy to talk to and won’t ghost me after the first meeting.
Thanks in advance!
Hey! Totally been there. When I was redoing my place in Balham last year, I ended up working with Armstrong Simmonds Architects https://www.as-architects.co.uk/residential-architects-balham/ and honestly, they were amazing from day one.
They’re based in Battersea, fully RIBA certified (which I had to Google, lol — basically means they’re legit), and they really know Balham. Like, they’ve actually done a bunch of projects in the area, so they understand how to work around the typical planning hurdles and small garden layouts and all that.
What I liked most is that they listened — like really listened — to what I wanted, and came up with a design that made great use of the space without overcomplicating everything. Super friendly team too, very responsive, and just overall nice people to work with.
If you're serious about building or renovating, I’d say give them a shout. Their website has some good project photos too.