Bedford Gardens, Kensington, West London
Renovation of listed building
Construction costs: £Undisclosed

Wonderful refurbishment of an existing Grade II listed building within a conservation area. Fourthspace have recently got planning and listed building consent for the refurbishment works.

The first issue to acknowledge is the well known uncertainty the coalition government has created due to the transitionary period of planning policy. The Conservatives Green Paper ‘Open Source Planning’ set out the aspirations for the planning system of the prospective new government. Once government was secured by the Coalition, one of their first moves was to remove the regional housing targets, claiming that housing needs would be met by financial incentives, governed from the neighbourhood level. Then the Draft National Planning Policy Framework was published, proposing the consolidation of existing Planning Policy Statements and Guidance into one document. The document proposes that planning decisions are made in presumption of sustainable development. Controversially there is no definition of the term sustainable. BD has quoted Richard Rogers as saying he will fight the Planning Bill in the House of Lords because ‘developers would be given a carte blanche to build sprawling suburbs that required energy-guzzling infrastructure’

The Localism Bill has recently passed to become the Localism Act, which introduces a number of changes to the planning system. Mainly:

_Confirming the removal of RSS
_Introducing neighbourhood planning
_Changes to major infrastructure applications
_Pre-determination
_Enforcement regime

Now that the Bill has become an Act, there are further proposed changes to the appeal system to go through consultation in 2012.XXXX

Working within this context has proven difficult for us. We have had several projects that have been refused or gone to appeal. This, we fear, has happened due to uncertainty, rather than clear policy directives or sustainability principles.

Our consistent approach to undertake an open dialogue with local authority planning teams and demonstrate a transparent and evidence based approach to design. Despite this, the clear parameters within which decisions are being decided have not been made clear to us and have therefore created problems.

Huw Williams over at nunswithguns design has been working with us for over four years and collaborating on a variety of projects for over 13 years, providing architectural and design support. We’re not completely sure about the name of his studio, though we are sure about the quality of their work. Check out the nunswithguns website here:

http://www.nunswithgunsdesign.com/

We recently visited Huw at his exhibition at the Exposure Gallery on Little Portland Street.

Arriving in London and drawn to the murky water bodies of London’s canals, Mr Fourth and Mr Space met. At once their disparite paths collided. Mr Fourth longed for a radical future, escaping the controls of the conservation he left. While Mr.s Space was escaping a radical LA crew.

Finding solitude in the venice of London, they established their practice on the banks of the Regents Canal. Fourthspace was born, with the aspiration of saving clients, recycle bits of left over architecture and transcending expectations.

Steve and Paolo co-own Ombra, the local Venitian bacaro located at the end of Vyner Street, with four other directors including local artist Russell Bamber. The bar specialises in homemade pasta, traditional venetian dishes and spritz. Within the first six months of opening it has become a firm favourite among Hackney’s growing food and drink community.

Steve and Paolo carried out planing, licensing and design services for Ombra and put in plenty of hard hours building the bar.

Fourthspace is based at unit 1.4, 1-5 Vyner Street in the heart of London’s contemporary creative district. Vyner Street is a hub of architects, artists, designers and creative industries. The first thursday of every month, the work of these studios opens to the public. This street party is known as the first thursdays monthly exhibition.

This is Fourthspace’s fourth space.

Unit 1.4 is a large studio space in a converted warehouse on Vyner Street. Fourthspace manage the stdio and let space to Upstyler, Marcos Villalba and Ellis Miller. Beyond the walls of the studio is a colourful array of aspiring practices including Vector Foiltec and Public Works. The close proximity and density of studios leads to successful collaborations and serendipity.

Unit 1.4 has evolved over the three years that Fourthspace have managed the studio. Previous tenants include Zak Kyes. When Steve and Paolo first occupied the studio, the space was basic and without services.

Steve and Paolo have undertaken extensive renovation, creating a creative hub based around a large open plan studio.

The serendipity often happens over a bowl of freshly cooked pasta, served at Ombra. Ombra is the local Venetian Bacaro at the end of Vyner Street. The restaurant is co-owned by Steve and Paolo.

40 & 45 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LU
Commercial renovation and extension
Costruction cost: £Undisclosed

Fourthspace were approached to undertake the renovation and rear extension for this sensitive site in Bloomsbury, opposite the British Museum. The physical and planning constraints require a considered approach that is respective of the neighbours and the world famous historic urban fabric. A strong and considered design approach has produced a bespoke solution that delivers the ambition of the brief within the physical and policy parameters of the site.

Various sites across north and west London
A range of works from extensions and landscaping to new build residential dwelligns
£XXX – £XXX

Fourthspace have been commissioned by a large London based property management and development company to supply architectural services across their extensive and varied portfolio.

The services include interior design, housing renovation and extension, new build, landscape design and planning. Fourthspace have worked on developments that vary in scale and complexity across a number of London Councils. This includes sites in conservation areas and applications covering listed buildings. A commitment to a design led approach to deliver the client’s aspirations within often challenging contexts has developed a fruitful working relationship.

Glazbury Road, West Kensington, London
Residential conversion and external works
£Undisclosed

Fourthspace was approached by a client based in West London with a large terraced property within a well established conservation area. The client was looking to modernise the recently acquired house that internally was in a poor state of repair. The renovation of the property included internal restructuring, interior design, exterior works including new windows and a new air conditioning unit.

Fourthspace advised the client on the renovation of the project to help deliver their aspirations for a high-spec house.

Bromley-by-Bow, East London
Residential led, mixed use masterplan
£Undisclosed

Bromley-by-Bow is an area undergoing rapid physical and social change. The olympic site is within a short walk, Stratford International provides international connections within a ten minute journey and some of East London’s largest regeneration projects, including major housing schemes, are underway.

The challenging site is surrounded by development pressure. Fourthspace is working with the client to support their position through this challenging and fluid period. A scoping report presented the client with physical options for the site, presenting a number of scenarios including a ‘do nothing’ option. The physical options were accompanied by analysis on investment, financial appraisals, planning and environment. The scoping report has provided valuable guidance to the client to help them through this challenging period.

Fourthspace are now working on a design and planning strategy to deliver over 180 units within a residential led mixed-use masterplan. The design will accommodate the clients needs on site and deliver significant value uplift. The design is context driven, aspiring to help tie together this fragmented part of the city.