Architects for Extensions & Planning Applications  in Islington

Planning permission, architectural design and project management  delivered end-to-end by a multi-award-winning local team.

All In One Architectural Solution In Islington

Planning approved by London Borough of Islington — 8 weeks standard decision.
Permitted Development: 3m terraced, 4m detached — Borough-wide Article 4 + 44 CAs exceptions apply.
Full design, planning, and building regulations in one fixed fee.
Loft conversions available — Velux, dormer, and hip-to-gable options.
In-house structural engineer included — no separate specialist needed.
98% planning approval rate — including Borough-wide Article 4 + 44 CAs applications.

Extension Architecture handles planning applications, house extensions, and loft conversions across Islington and the London Borough of Islington serving N1, N5, N7 and EC1. Unlike most London boroughs, Permitted Development rights are restricted borough-wide due to Article 4 Directions and 44 conservation areas planning permission is required for almost all external works. Decisions take 8 weeks. Free quote today.

We only deliver excellence

42⁺

Projects completed in Islington

2220 ⁺

Our total projects completed in London & Surrey

Locations in Islington

Islington • Angel • Highbury • Holloway • Finsbury • Canonbury • Barnsbury • Caledonian Road • Clerkenwell • Archway (part) • Tufnell Park (part) • Finsbury Park

Postcodes Served

N1, N5, N7, N19, EC1V, EC1R, N4, EC1M

Our Expertise

Planning Application Drawings
Council-ready drawings, fast

3D Visualisations
See it before building

Retrospective Planning
Fix unpermitted works

Building Regulation Drawings
Safe, compliant drawings

Commercial Development Consultancy
Change of use experts

Interior Design
Finishes inside out

Spatial Planning & Layout
Smarter room layouts

Feasibility Consultancy
Know what’s possible

Recent Islington Architects Extension & Loft Conversion Projects

What makes Islington Architects Special?

Islington is another borough that can be characterised as a royal town with a rich history and modern facilities. It is situated to the north of the River Thames and has a history as a part of the historical county of Middlesex. It is amazing to note that Islington is the third smallest local authority in London; however, it is full of culture. The borough has theatre’s such as Almeida and Sadler’s Wells thus making it a hub for artists for innovation.

So is its architectural characterised with Georgian and Victorian Squares and terraces which in the various 19th century stood a period of expansion. Fulfilling their obligations, Islington has 41 conservation areas which make up almost half of the region’s area. The care that has been given to both history and culture in this area make Islington a very unique and special borough in which to live in.

Varied housing stock in Islington — Victorian, Edwardian, and 1930s properties.
Borough-wide Article 4 + 44 CAs affects some properties — always verify your address first.
Strong property values — well-designed extensions consistently add value.
London Borough of Islington operates clear planning policies and 8-week decision timelines.

What Our Clients Say About
Extension Architecture

Interior fit-out, Islington

Islington Planning Applications and Architectural Services

Enriched in Islington culture, our founder and director, Eugene Kim, is a true-blood Islingtonian. His understanding of Islington Borough’s policies together with his familiarity with the region has been a valuable addition for Extension Architecture where he has been instrumental in the realisation of various projects.

As local architects in Islington, we are often involved in designing single story extensions, loft conversions as well as other home renovations in Islington. Islington has a significant proportion of residents who are homeowners hence the need to maximise the use of space and property value. We understand that your home is not just a living space but an investment, and we take full responsibility for your home’s construction, including everything from the design, selection of contractors, budget, and construction.

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Explore before & after visuals of our extension builder projects

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Before

After

Why choose Extension Architecture?

Our Islington Architects will lead and create a design that maximizes space and suits your tastes. We guide you through planning, discussing every project detail. Our architects survey your property to ensure no detail is missed. We'll support you throughout, providing clear instructions during planning, application, and construction.

One Stop Solution

Our firm provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof, from planning and architectural design to intricate interior and immersive design, and expertly manages the complexities of the construction process. We have delivered projects of various scales and budgets, from small home extensions to large new builds, for a diverse clientele.

In House Structural Engineer

Our in-house structural engineer—an advantage that only 1 in 20 firms can offer. This is crucial, as significant time is often lost consulting multiple specialists, which can lead to additional costs. With a structural engineer on our team, we ensure a fully collaborative and seamless design-build process, minimizing contingencies and preventing design inaccuracies.

Interior Design & Architecture

Our team includes interior designers who work closely with the clients, especially the ‘ladies’ of the house to curate the dream spaces tailored to their requirements. These processes include fun yet crucial processes like selecting wall finishes, color schemes, soft furnishings, flooring. Having architects and interior designers under one roof allows for less contingencies.

turn-Key Approach

We provide support throughout the entire building process, embracing a ‘turnkey approach’ to ensure a smooth and efficient project from start to finish. Additionally, we assist in reducing build costs by aiding in the procurement of all internal fit-outs, including sanitaryware, kitchens, and more. It’s a zero hassle solution for clients.

Start Planning an Extension Home today

If you are planning an extension home in London, our architects can guide you through the entire process from concept design to construction.

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Years of Experience

17

Any Questions?

Didn’t find your answer? Feel free to reach out

Probably, yes — and that catches a lot of people off guard. Most of London lets you build a modest rear extension without asking permission first, but Islington isn’t like most of London. Council-wide restrictions, plus around 41 conservation areas covering roughly half the borough, mean full planning permission is needed for most extensions here, even ones that would sail through elsewhere. The only way to know for sure is to check your specific address, which we do for free before you spend anything on design.

It depends on the size of the job, but most Islington homeowners pay somewhere between 8-15% of the build cost, or a fixed fee agreed upfront once we know what you’re planning. A conservation area property usually costs a bit more to design for, simply because the drawings need to go into more detail to satisfy the council. We’ll give you a proper number after a free feasibility check — no guesswork, no vague “it depends” left hanging.

Islington Council aims for 8 weeks on a standard extension application. If your project needs extra sign-off — which happens more often here because of the borough’s conservation areas — it can stretch to around 13 weeks. Once you’re approved, that permission stays valid for 3 years, so there’s no huge rush to start building the day it lands. Getting pre-application advice early is genuinely one of the best ways to avoid delays later.

Islington’s mostly Victorian and Edwardian terraces, with some 1930s houses mixed in, and that shapes what tends to work well: single-storey rear extensions, side infill extensions, wraparound extensions, and loft conversions are the most common. What’s actually achievable on your house comes down to your garden depth, your neighbours, and whether you’re in a conservation area. We’ll walk your property and tell you honestly what’s realistic before you pay for any design work.

Rear dormers, Velux rooflight conversions, and hip-to-gable conversions are the three you’ll hear about most, and which one suits your house depends on your roof shape. Almost every loft conversion in Islington needs planning permission rather than being automatically allowed, since the borough’s conservation areas and Article 4 restrictions cover most streets. Building regs around fire safety, staircases, and insulation apply no matter which type you go for. We’ll tell you which option fits your roof, free of charge.

Chartered status (RIBA) and ARB registration are the baseline — anything less and you’re taking a real risk. Beyond that, ask how many jobs they’ve actually done in Islington specifically, not just London generally, because the borough’s planning rules are stricter than most. We’ve done 42+ projects here as part of 2,220+ across London and Surrey over 17 years, with a 98% approval rate and our own structural engineer in-house rather than outsourcing it. Ask any architect their local refusal rate — it tells you more than their approval rate does.

Architects for Extensions & Planning Applications  in Islington