One of the trickiest parts of renovating a historic home is deciding what to keep and what to replace. The best thing to do here is talk to a professional architect. They can do the forensic investigation and give you the best advice. As one of the top names for residential architecture London has, we have seen many projects that involve period properties. We can share our expertise and provide useful support.

What is original?

The thing about old properties is trying to decide what is original and what is a later addition. There could be lots of changes that are not part of the initial structure but look like it because of their age. Some of them may even have become integral. You need to think carefully about what is original, what is later, and overall what you need to keep.

What is the condition?

Before you start renovating you should look at the condition of the structure. It may be in a very poor state. However, this could be mostly cosmetic. If the core of the building is sound, the renovation should be easier. The biggest problems come when there are structural problems. They can require more work to examine and repair.

Modern conveniences

One positive here is that generally you have more freedom when you are renovating the interior of historic properties. While there can be protections for the exterior, usually you have more flexibility with the inside. However, there is also likely to be evidence of recent work in the property. You may find more original features or materials buried under newer layers.

Overall here your goal should be getting modern conveniences in the property. New plumbing, heating, air con, and electrics should be your main priority. If you can introduce them while protecting original features, that is perfect.

Think about open plan

In terms of layout, open plan tends to be the most popular option for modern homes. The idea here is often to get longer sight lines and make spaces brighter. However, period properties tend to have smaller rooms. The original designers chose these to make it easier to heat them. If you open out the space it can cause issues with heating and cooling. Instead of removing walls entirely, you can make larger openings and get the best of both worlds.

Ask us about residential architecture in London

Coffey Architects knows about the challenges and opportunities that come with renovating historic homes. We can give people the very best advice here. Our services can include everything from surveying the structure to creating a feasible design. Then we can offer management and more.

So, if you are thinking about a plan and want the chance to create some of the most stunning residential architecture London can offer, speak to us. We can give you a great service and will likely turn out to be one of the most useful resources you have.