Architect in Hackney – Sustainable Retrofits and Design-Led Renovations
Architecture That Supports Comfort, Character and Energy Performance
We are Studio CMA — architects based in East London, working with homeowners and micro-developers across Hackney. From Stoke Newington to London Fields and De Beauvoir Town, we design sustainable homes that honour character and improve comfort.
Our clients are typically families upgrading period homes — reworking layouts, resolving cold spots and damp, and future-proofing their property. Whether you are planning a deep retrofit or a carefully crafted extension, we help you make confident, well-informed decisions from the start.
Working with Hackney’s Housing Stock
Hackney’s homes are full of potential — but often underperforming. From Victorian terraces in Stoke Newington, to Edwardian villas in Clapton, to 20th-century infill plots around London Fields, many properties need rethinking to suit modern family life.
We specialise in transforming these homes into calm, efficient and resilient spaces. We understand Hackney’s planning context, conservation areas and typical construction issues, so we can help you anticipate what's likely to get approved — and what might hold you back.
Our Architectural Process
Every project begins with a Pre-Design Appraisal. This is a structured, low-risk first step to explore your brief, budget, constraints and opportunities. Before you commit to full design fees, we help you understand where to focus, what is realistic, and how to avoid early missteps.
From there, we lead you through a clear, phased design process that balances vision with delivery. Our goal is to create spaces that feel just right — for the people who live in them, and for the years to come.
Explore our approach
Retrofit, Passivhaus and Low-Energy Design
As certified Passivhaus designers, we bring deep technical experience to retrofitting Hackney’s older homes. Our projects often reduce energy use by 3 to 10 times, using breathable materials, thoughtful detailing and modern ventilation to improve comfort year-round.
We work to recognised performance standards such as EnerPHit and AECB standards, tailored to each building's potential. If your home is cold, draughty, hard to heat or prone to damp, we can help you make it healthy, efficient and future-ready.
Read about our sustainable ethos or learn more about the AECB or Passivhaus EnerPHit standard.
Hackney Projects and Examples
We have lived and worked in Dalston, on the border between Islington and Hackney, for more than fifteen years. Much of our work here has been within conservation areas, where the craft is in improving space, light and comfort while keeping the street character intact.
Hackney projects and examples include:
Rear extensions in Dalston and nearby conservation areas, including lower-ground and basement-level works where a home needed more usable family space without losing its original proportions.
Loft and roof extensions across the borough, including around London Fields, designed to create calm new rooms with better daylight and sensible storage, rather than awkward add-ons.
Two-storey rear extensions in the London Fields area that created separate new dwellings, requiring careful planning, layout discipline, and attention to sound separation and services.
Wraparound ground-floor extensions around Victoria Park, improving kitchen and dining layouts and the day-to-day connection to the garden.
Loft extensions and internal reworking in Lower Clapton, often focused on improving flow, reducing draughts, and making the home feel warmer and more settled.
Internal reconfiguration of ground-floor and basement homes in Stoke Newington and nearby conservation areas, typically to improve light, circulation, and the practicality of everyday living.
We would be happy to share relevant case studies or images from these projects during your consultation.
Explore selected work
Planning and Conservation in Hackney
Much of Hackney sits within conservation areas, particularly around Stoke Newington, De Beauvoir, Victoria Park Village and Clapton Square. These designations affect what you can build, insulate or alter externally.
We are experienced in navigating these constraints. Our early-stage research identifies risks and opportunities up front, so your retrofit or extension can move forward with fewer surprises.
Hackney Council: conservation guidance
FAQs – Hackney Homeowners Often Ask
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Yes, but you may need planning consent for external changes. We often combine internal insulation at the front with breathable external wall insulation at the rear, achieving comfort and performance without compromising heritage.
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Most of our clients invest between £150k–£500k, depending on scope and performance goals. Our Pre-Design Appraisal includes early cost forecasting to help you prioritise.
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We use breathable, natural insulation systems that protect building fabric, avoid trapped moisture, and reduce heat loss without damaging walls or details.
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You benefit from someone familiar with Hackney’s planning process, contractors and housing stock. We know what works — and what holds projects up — so we can design accordingly.
Planning a Retrofit or Renovation in Hackney?
Start with a Discovery Call
We offer a free 15–20 minute call to learn more about your project, answer questions, and confirm whether our Architect’s Home Visit & Appraisal (AHVA) is the right next step. It is also where we outline a tailored fee and timing for the AHVA, based on your home and goals.
Or learn more about our full range of services before you get in touch.
