Architects in Islington
Creating Considered Homes for a Changing World
We’re Studio CMA — a husband-and-wife architecture practice based in North London. We work closely with homeowners and small developers across Islington to transform period properties into low-energy homes designed for contemporary living.
Whether you’re planning a light-touch upgrade or a full retrofit, we help you navigate design, budget and planning constraints with clarity and confidence. Our work blends timeless design with sustainability and construction know-how.
Designing for Islington Homes
Islington is one of London’s most characterful boroughs, with a rich mix of Georgian terraces, Victorian townhouses, and early 20th-century properties. But many of these homes suffer from poor insulation, damp, and outdated layouts.
We specialise in unlocking their potential — sensitively improving comfort, light, and energy performance while respecting the building’s original character. We’re experienced working in Islington’s conservation areas, and understand what’s likely to gain planning approval.
Our Approach
We’ve developed a clear, homeowner-friendly process that starts with a Pre-Design Appraisal — so you can explore your home’s potential, understand realistic budgets, and avoid costly detours before committing to design work.
From first sketch to construction, we stay hands-on, helping you balance your aspirations with technical and cost realities. We don’t just create beautiful homes — we build a strong foundation for delivery.
Specialists in Low-Energy Retrofits
As certified Passivhaus designers, we’re experts in deep retrofit. Our projects often achieve 3–10x improvements in energy efficiency, through carefully considered upgrades to fabric, heating and ventilation.
We also offer design to AECB and EnerPHit standards — providing rigorous comfort and performance in heritage homes, without compromising on space or character.
See how we work →
Explore our EnerPHit projects →
Learn about the AECB standard →
Projects Near Islington
We’ve worked on retrofit and refurbishment projects across North and East London — including nearby homes in Hackney, Highgate, and Camden.
Our work ranges from modest terrace extensions to full-house renovations with ambitious sustainability targets. If you’d like to see examples, we’re happy to share relevant case studies on request.
Thinking About a Home Renovation or Retrofit in Islington?
We’d love to hear from you. We offer a free 30-minute call to discuss your ideas, or you can download our Homeowner’s Guide for a step-by-step overview of the process.
[Book a Call →]
[Download the Guide →]
FAQs
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Yes — in most cases, external wall insulation or major alterations to the front façade of a property in Islington will require planning consent. We’ll guide you through what’s allowed and what’s likely to be approved.
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It’s possible — but often more realistic to aim for EnerPHit or AECB levels. These standards offer significant energy savings and comfort benefits while working within the constraints of older buildings.
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That depends on the scope, size, and level of performance you want to achieve. We offer early-stage cost forecasting to help you plan and prioritise. Our Pre-Design Appraisal is the best way to start.