We have secured Planning consent for a two storey basement in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. As the year draws to a close, Rodic Davidson Architects have successfully negotiated five planning consents in 2012 for subterranean extension in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC). In order to achieve the Planning Consents, we have to ensure that our designs comply with the RBKC Subterranean SPD. This document requires very detailed additional information to be submitted alongside any application for a basement extension. Back in 2010, we were the first architectural practice to gain a planning consent under the new policy guidance and we have built considerable expertise in achieving basement consents within the Borough.

We combined our Christmas office lunch with a field trip to Dungeness where we have an exciting project to build a new house on the shingle. PDF Download

Groundwork pioneered environmental regeneration through partnerships. Earlier in the year, John Davidson OBE, Ben's father, gathered together some of his former colleagues and suggested that they write a book about the formation and early years of Groundwork. Edited by Walter Menzies and Phil Barton, the book is a collection of the personal perspectives of some of the people who formed the Groundwork story in the early, formative years. John, sadly, died before the book was completed. The book launch was held in Manchester Town Hall on Wednesday 31st October 2012. The contributors to the book are: Derek Barber, Phil Barton, Douglas Evans, John Handley, John Iles, Lindy Kelly, Walter Menzies, Rob Morley, Yoshi Oyama, Adrian Phillips, Sue Price, Richard Sharland, Tony Struthers, David Trippier, Alan Wenham, David Wilcox and Peter Wilmers. Link to purchase book from Amazon Link to Operation Groundwork Website

An early start flying Stansted to Amsterdam. We walked around the old town and visited the apartment development in Silodam by MVRDV. Then fast train to Rotterdam and lunch followed by a walk to the Kunstahl Museum. Designed in 1992 by Rem Koolhaas / OMA. OMA is still based in Rotterdam although now has offices in China and New York as well. We took the train back to Schiphol in time for the last flight back to the UK. Here are some pics: PDF Download

We made a site visit to Dungeness where we have a project to build a new house on the shingle. PDF Download  

An article was published in the Evening Standard today: "We've spent £100,000, say neighbours fighting basement development" The owner of a house in Strathmore Gardens achieved Planning Permission to construct a 2 storey basement 18 months ago. Strathmore Gardens is in RBKC and so it must be assumed that Planning Consent was acheived in accordance with their adopted Subterranean Development SPD. That neighbours objected is not unusual. What makes this case unusual is that the planning permission was overturned at judicial review on the basis that it would cause disruption and damage to their properties. By adoption of the Subterranean SPD, RBKC were the first Local Authority to adopt specific basement planning policies. However, increasingly, RBKC have been faced with a series of judicial review applications concerning basement developments for which they have granted planning consent. In April 2012 RBKC published a document titled 'Basement Extensions: Issues' which sets out the existing Council…

Rodic Davidson Architects have worked alongside the team at Bruton Street Management Ltd on many projects. Bruton Street Management is headed by Andrew Kafkaris RICS, who is capably assisted by Charlie and Jo-Ann. We have found that they, consistently, deliver clients a first-class professional service and we have no hesitation in recommending them. We find that Andrew and his team work very pro-actively: an attribute which is extremely rare in other managing agents. For us, as architects, it is particularly frustrating when we have beautifully refurbished an apartment but to have little control over, what are often, shabby common parts. Their new website was launched today and we wish them all the very best.

Pictures from site 06.08.2012. Our complete refurbishment and extension of this Kensington Town House is nearing completion. Although part of a historic terrace, the house has been completely rebuilt behind the original facade. At the rear a new basement media room has been added with a structural concrete roof deck allowing for two parking spaces over. This parking, combined with the ability to access the property securely from the rear mews makes this house unique and very desirable in this area of Kensington. The house has been constructed with a steel frame and concrete floors. This construction technique, behind the original facade, means that the sound insulation will be exceptional and unlike any other property of this age. The house has been insulated to current standards and has comfort cooling throughout. Rodic Davidson Architects secured planning consent for a new mansard roof, a first floor rear extension and a ground floor…

A rather ordinary Victorian / Edwardian street in leafy south-west London is the setting for a proposed new-build development of three houses with underground car parking. The site is interesting: overlooking the railway on one side and overlooking a mews on the other, in the heart of St Margarets, Twickenham. Even though the site falls outside the Conservation Architecture Area, Richmond's newly adopted design policies exert considerable control over the aesthetic, with an implied emphasis on 'following the vernacular'. We used CGI's to explore various brick colour options, both with the client and also as a presentational medium to the Planning Authority.

It is with great sadness that we announce that Ben's father, John Davidson, died on May 26th after a long illness. In the early 1980's, John co-founded Groundwork, an organisation that he led to become a major national and international movement. John was an inspiration to many and hugely loved by his family, friends and former colleagues. He will be sorely missed. Below are some links to find out more about John's work: Link: Groundwork Website Link: The Interclimate Network Link: Guardian Obituary 11th June 2012        

Rodic Davidson Architects in Cambridge have undertaken a feasibility study for Morely Memorial Primary School in Cambridge. The school operates across a dual site - bisected by a narrow and relatively quiet residential road. The road presents a physical divide and, through a series of massing plan options, we have explored various different schemes. Download PDF: Presentation Document  

Rodic Davidson Architects have been appointed to refurbish a Grade II listed town house in Notting Hill. Part of our proposed scheme adds a contemporary extension with a green wall and Corten cladding.

A mixed-use development in Southwark. Rodic Davidson Architects have been invited by a developer client to prepare a concept design scheme for a mixed-use development in Southwark.

Rodic Davidson Architects have been appointed by the new owners of this prominent corner site in Southwark to submit a revised scheme (we achieved Planning Consent back in 2011). The revised design which is presently being considered by Southwark Planners, adds a front cantilever, an additional 5th floor apartment and changes to the internal accommodation. Determination is due in July 2012.

Following the budget last week we now have further detail regarding the removal of the zero VAT rate for approved alterations to listed buildings. Always regarded as something of an anomaly (why were repairs and restoration Vatable and extensions not?) this 'loophole' has now been removed. However there is a legal the obligation on owners of listed buildings to keep their properties in good repair. For this reason we support English Heritage’s campaign for the VAT regulations to be amended to reduce the VAT rate on repair and maintenance of listed buildings. Further detail on the VAT changes applicable to listed buildings: 1. If the building contract was signed before the 21st March then this provides for a period of one year to complete the build project after which the standard rate will apply to the outstanding works. This is applicable to all listed buildings from 21st March 2012. 2. If the…

Step-by-step our artist's studio nears completion. Here are the latest photos from site:  

"You employ stone, wood and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces. " Le Corbuiser 1958   Our remodelling of a Chelsea Artist's Studio is nearing completion. The concrete floor was unveiled today after being covered by sheets for the last couple of months since being poured. Exciting times. We were there to witness and record the final polish. Video-1 Video-2 Video-3

Rodic Davidson Architects have recently completed a large refurbishment project on a prime road in Kensington.

We completed this conservation project in Primrose Hill a while ago and, finally, we have taken some photos for the website. Thank you to our clients for being so accommodating. A brief history: The house was formerly two apartments in a poor condition. Built circa 1855 by J Burden, it forms part of a serpentine-shaped terrace of 3 storeys with basements. We obtained Listed Building Consent from the London Borough of Camden and then embarked on a complete refurbishment including the replacement of the Doric portico, the 1st floor bracketed cornice and the plaster cornice details which were all missing (removed in 1970's). We also replaced the non-original cast-iron railings with the correct fleur-de-lys finial detailing.

Rodic Davidson Architects have been appointed to carry out work to a Queen Anne Town House in Mayfair, London. The property is Listed Grade II, built in 1895 by John E Trollope a prominent Mayfair architect. Typical of the terrace, it is red brick with stone dressings and a slate roof. The property formed part of the Grosvenor Estate’s late 19th Century redevelopment of West Mayfair. The house was built 6 years after the creation of Mount Street Gardens. Mount Street Gardens were created out of a former burial ground of St Georges, Hanover Square and named after the Mount Field, an area including a fortification dating from the English Civil War. The Gardens' footpaths are those originally created in 1889, and the bronze drinking fountain of a rearing horse was designed for the local estate agent Henry Lofts in 1891 by Harold Peto and Sir Ernest George, another prominent…

Rodic Davidson Architects successfully secured detailed Planning Consent earlier in 2011 for a new-build apartment scheme on a prominent site in Southwark, London. The site has subsequently changed ownership and we are pleased to be working with the new owners to continue with the project and realise the development of the site. ------ Take a look at the project here in more detail: Apartment Scheme Southwark

To our clients, colleagues and friends: I am proud to announce that on Jan 1st 2012 bdAr Architects and Designers changed its name to Rodić Davidson Architects. The practice has grown year on year since formation 5 ½ years ago and the change in name recognises Sinisa’s enormous contribution to the practice over the last 4 ½ of these years. Charlotte has also been promoted to be an Associate in the practice. We are really proud of the projects that we have worked on over the last 5 ½ years, many of which can be seen on our new website: rodicdavidson.co.uk Please feel free to take a look – I am sure many of you will recognise projects that you know (or even live in!). Aside from our change in trading name, all other aspects of the practice remain the same – and we really look forward to maintaining and building on our valued…