What Our Clients Say About Working with Studio CMA
Every home and every project brings different decisions, constraints and ambitions.
Here, some of our clients share what it was like to work with Studio CMA, from the first conversations and design decisions through to planning, construction and living in the finished home.
Open any testimonial to read their full comments, or follow the project links to see the work.
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“CMA designed and administered the build of a single story full-width extension and full refurbishment on our mid-terrace house in Canonbury. We originally met Greg & Daniela through a project of theirs that was featured in London Open House. We were attracted by their thoughtful use of space, aesthetic and attention to detail.
For our project they delivered an innovative design, placing the kitchen in the centre of the downstairs, an area that would have otherwise been a corridor or a dead space in other more traditional designs. This created a spacious dining and living area to the rear of the property and an open plan feel to the downstairs with distinct zones.
Greg and Daniela have an undeniable talent and eye for design, and we deferred to them on custom joinery, finishes and colour schemes. A strength of CMA is the attention to detail in the design - with all of the details fitting together coherently and gracefully to create a stylish space that is a pleasure to live in every day. We are delighted with the end result and the design has been a beautiful, ergonomic and uplifting space to live in, especially as we have spent so much time in our house during COVID-19. We would work with CMA again and would not hesitate to recommend them.”
John
Rear extension and whole-house refurbishment · Canonbury, Islington
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“There is so much about this project that we are delighted with; we love the magical light and space that it has given us with wonderful views of our garden and the trees of the common behind, making it feel like being in the countryside. There is nothing ordinary about this project. Our garden room is full of amazing angles and triangles of different heights, from the doors and windows to the ceilings and skylight—a lovely space to spend a relaxing time in but still close enough to the buzz of our kitchen.”
Carolyn and David
Rear and roof extension with internal alterations · Balham, Wandsworth
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"The glass design of the garden room is a revelation. It gives us access to the morning sunlight we've never had before. The design of the glass catches the early light perfectly. We can sit in the morning and watch the sunrise, enjoying how the light changes across the gardens and surrounding buildings, all from the comfort of our home. The amount of light we now have in the house has changed our well-being. People talk of bringing the outside in, but I feel this extension has given us the chance to appreciate our surroundings that much more.”
Russell and Olivier
Garden room and ground-floor extension · Walthamstow
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“Ciarcelluti Mathers Architecture came up with a scheme that dealt with neighbourhoods’ concerns and received planning permission with ease. Greg and Daniela resolved a complex spatial puzzle very effectively. The design connected the front and rear rooms while added a new WC and utility space.
They managed to extend into a sloping garden and provide level access, a sun-filled patio, and a garden bed that is flush with our large kitchen window. The design considered practicality and spatiality in detail so that the floors were flat throughout the house. As a client, these are the sorts of things that you would not think about looking at a drawing but make a big difference living in the space.
The house is much more comfortable now, it is open plan, and the rooms connect nicely. The new openings make it more of a family space. We have a nice fireplace that we now use in the winter. The house has metamorphosised into a much more enjoyable place.
Every time I enter, it is a pleasure for the eye to see how everything comes together. It really could not be better. It's perfection. We think it is inspired architecture. And it's not just us. People come here and say "wow"!".
François and Kirstin
Rear extension and whole-house refurbishment · Gladsmuir Road, Archway, Islington
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“Daniela and Greg grasped our vision for the project from the outset, and with this in mind put forward the idea of a black metal staircase; we immediately fell in love with the style, and in turn it inspired much of the design for the rest of the renovation. The clever, cantilevered design of the staircase allows light to flood the stairwell below, and tastefully incorporates our love for minimalist design in a traditional terraced house."
Michael and Robyn
Victorian terrace loft extension and phased refurbishment · Prebend Street, Islington
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“I had owned this live work unit for some 18 years prior to deciding to develop the property to create a separate rental flat over the original studio and flat, and to renovate the studio and flat in the process.
I had some confidence in handling the project and had builders in mind for the construction of the external shell, structure, walls, floors and roof. I planned to finish the interiors employing specialist trades directly. However, it is a complex project, built in different stages and by different people, and I was conscious of needing the experience and support of a good architect to manage this project.
The property is part of an estate of which the majority of owners had previously completed similar extensions, so the precedent and exterior style was established, but structure and internal format could be completely individual.
I had discussed the project with two other architects first, before being was recommended to work with CMA. I chose them because they were prepared to discuss my ideas and were flexible with their proposal.
I wanted a unique format for my property and had concerns to achieve exceptional energy standards; efficient heat insulation without recourse to having to compensate with solar panels in order to meet ecological standards.
And to achieve a very high acoustic insulation to make the living spaces comfortable for two separate groups of people to live in close proximity without interfering in each other’s life style.
I was concerned that my plans for the building should also be future proofed for changing the use of the living space and to anticipate practical conversions to achieve different uses. Either to be able to modify the live work balance or the separation or combination of the living spaces at a later stage. Considerations for this were important in the practical layout of stairways and hallways, and for adjoining living spaces which could still be converted if requirements change at some point.
I had a very limited budget and was concerned to balance these ambitions with achievable expenses.
CMA gave me practical and realistic alternative concept plans and were able to modify and combine these ideas for layouts to achieve an excellent solution for the design. It has resulted in comfortable and practical spaces for living and working.
They have also given me extensive advice, contacts and recommendations, regarding Building Control requirements, Fire safety standards and sound proofing measures.
I have absolutely no hesitation working with them and would recommend them highly.”
Moke Wall
Two-storey roof extension and residential conversion · London Fields, Hackney
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“We have worked with CMA twice now and both times have been extremely pleased with their work. On the second occasion, we were trying to get planning permission for an extension that Hackney Council had strong opinions against. Greg and Daniela were able to take the council’s concerns on board and adapt the plans accordingly, whilst not losing sight of what we needed and wanted to extend our home. And thanks to this, the council granted us planning permission, which we were very happy about!”
E. Frankal and V. Miller
Side extensions and major internal alterations · Stoke Newington, Hackney
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“We had some very optimistic hopes at the start. I remember the very early costings and thinking, I didn't know the individual items could cost that much, but CMA's budget management was one of the things that worked out very well. It came through almost exactly on the nose.
The updates and spreadsheets sent helped keep my non-mathematical brain on top of all that detail. It was indispensable.
If CMA hadn't been there, managing it and just feeding back to us, with their attention to detail, we wouldn't have been able to execute such a complex project.
After completing the top flat, I suddenly felt incredibly envious of whoever would live there. It does look really lovely.”
Christopher Harding
Two-storey roof extension and residential conversion · London Fields, Hackney
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“I am Christian Rauchegger from JCR Projects constructions which was appointed as the main contractor for a complex rear extension in South London.
Ciarcelluti Mathers Architecture acted as the Architect and Contract Administrators of the JCT Minor Works Contract.
I have carried out many projects over the last two decades so I can say that CMA are very professional and knowledgeable and very effective at contract administration.
The project overan time wise due to the outbreak of the Covid 19 Pandemic. The difficulties and challenges which arose from it were managed very effectively by CMA.
The project went according to plan with no cost overruns.I really enjoyed working with CMA and would definitely like to work with them in the future.“
Christian Rauchegger
Director, JCR Projects Constructions
Main contractor · Garden Room, Balham
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“In 2014, as part of a longer-term financial plan, I purchased an investment property. I wanted to make alterations before letting it. A quick turnaround was a huge priority. CMA moved quickly, developing the design and technical drawings while organising a reliable builder who completed the project swiftly.
The loft-style flat was an open plan studio with two large industrial windows in the living/sleeping area. The kitchen was in the back, far from the windows and received minimal natural light. Ideally, I wanted to make a 1-bed flat and was concerned about daylight. As a result of the leaseholder requirements, converting to a 1-bed flat proved impossible within our timeframe. Still, Greg and Daniela proposed design solutions to keep it as a studio flat but improve usability and flexibility. They maintained the studio feel with a new layout that flowed. They created a separate sleeping area and integrated study with a mix of solid and glass partitions, all without compromising daylight in the living and kitchen space.
I had wanted to keep the industrial theme, and CMA proposed solutions such as exposed electrical conduit that not only achieved this but was mindful of budget. They provided great advice on a colour scheme, keeping it light and contemporary.
Throughout the project, they were conscious of the resale value and the needs of both a tenant and potential future purchaser.
The result was a success. The flat rented easily and quickly, and the project achieved my budget and timeframe goals. It allowed me to move to the next stage of executing my goals for providing a larger family home for my family and me. I am currently working with CMA on improvements to this home and would not hesitate to recommend them to others.”
Ranveer
Studio apartment refurbishment · Clerkenwell, London
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“I can't recommend booking a discovery call with Greg enough. He was considerate, patient and thorough, and asked all the right questions. His guidance brought clarity to what had become a confusing and overwhelming process, and helped us work through the challenges we were facing. He helped us prioritise what mattered most within the budget we had, and his attention to detail, particularly in his follow-up, gave us genuine confidence in the decisions we needed to make.”
Chris La Rocca
Discovery Call · Chingford
Early-stage renovation and retrofit enquiry
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