5 Best Residential Architects in London (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Lorian Hartfield, Real Estate and Financial Expert · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Getting planning permission in London can take longer than the build itself. The residential architects below have collected 227 Google reviews between them, almost all five stars, and several reviewers specifically mention firms rescuing an application after a council rejected the first attempt, which says more about what these practices are actually good at than any glossy portfolio shot.

Short answer: AGA Associates leads on volume with 4.9 stars across 62 reviews, with a strong track record on planning applications and extensions. qR Architects and Make Architects also hold 4.9, spanning everything from home extensions to award-winning commercial-scale design. Architecture for London (4.8, 43 reviews) is a smaller practice specializing in residential extensions and retrofits.

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1. AGA Associates
2. qR Architects Ltd
3. Architecture for Londo…
4. Make Architects
5. Stuart James Associate…
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London's residential architects, compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	AGA Associates	4.9 ★	62	Planning applications and extensions	View ›
2	qR Architects Ltd	4.9 ★	49	Creative extensions and full renovations	View ›
3	Architecture for London	4.8 ★	43	Sensitive retrofits and character extensions	View ›
4	Make Architects	4.9 ★	37	Larger-scale and sustainability-led design	View ›
5	Stuart James Associates	4.7 ★	36	Combined architecture, engineering, and surveying	View ›

5 Best Residential Architects in London (2026)

Our picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk

AGA Associates

4.962 Google reviews

AGA Associates is a London architecture and planning firm based in Hanover Square, offering architectural design, planning applications, and surveying services for residential projects. Google lists the firm across architecture, interior design, land planning, and property surveying, and reviewers consistently describe detailed, meticulously prepared planning submissions.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly praise thorough, detailed planning drawings and documentation
Team described as patient and calm through lengthy council negotiations
Attends council meetings alongside clients when needed
Strong track record securing planning approval, including on retrospective and previously rejected applications

Worth knowing

At least one reviewer wished for more time to discuss and amend the proposal before submission

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume62 · 97th

Confidenceearly

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown98% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed firm on this page, with a 4.9 average built specifically on planning-approval success, makes it the safest first call if your project depends on getting past the council.

Website +442080148130 Directions

13 Hanover Square, London W1S 1HN

#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

qR Architects Ltd

4.949 Google reviews

qR Architects Ltd is a RIBA Chartered architecture practice based in Berkeley Square, working on residential extensions, renovations, and full house transformations. Reviewers frequently name the same principal architect, describing a hands-on, creative approach that goes beyond a standard rear extension into more original design solutions.

What people praise

Reviewers highlight genuinely creative design ideas rather than generic templates
Praised for succeeding on projects where a previous architect's application was rejected
Described as attentive project managers who coordinate with builders directly
Long-standing client relationships, with several reviews spanning years

Worth knowing

Recent review volume is lighter than some other names here, though sentiment remains strongly positive

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume49 · 92th

Confidenceearly

Recency2 years ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown96% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.9 average built on genuine creative problem-solving, particularly for homeowners who've already had an application rejected elsewhere.

Website +442032879937 Directions

23 Berkeley Square, London W1J 6HE

#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Architecture for London

4.843 Google reviews

Architecture for London is a residential architecture practice based near Hatton Garden, working on extensions, renovations, and retrofit projects across the city. Reviewers describe a thoughtful, listening-led approach that responds to an existing building's character rather than defaulting to a generic solution.

What people praise

Reviewers praise close, careful engagement with client wishes throughout design
Known for responding to a building's existing character rather than a standard extension
Efficient, responsive communication cited across multiple reviews
Strong focus on daylight, materials, and spatial quality

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume43 · 87th

Confidenceearly

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown93% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A smaller practice with a consistent 4.8 average and a clear specialty in sensitive, character-led extensions and retrofits.

Website +442036374236 Directions

3-5 Bleeding Heart Yard, London EC1N 8SJ

#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Make Architects

4.937 Google reviews

Make Architects is a London architecture practice founded in 2004, with additional studios in Hong Kong and Shanghai, working across architecture, interiors, and urban design at a range of scales. The firm publishes extensively on sustainability and retrofit, and its Google reviews skew toward visitors and industry peers describing the studio itself rather than residential clients specifically.

What people praise

Strong reputation for sustainable and award-recognized design work
International studio network with broad design expertise
Reviewers describe an open, welcoming studio culture

Worth knowing

Reviews on file are largely about the studio and its work generally rather than residential client experiences specifically

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume37 · 82th

Confidenceearly

Recency10 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown89% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A larger, internationally recognized practice; a strong fit if your residential project is ambitious in scale or has a sustainability focus, though most public reviews describe the firm's broader reputation rather than a specific home renovation.

Website +442076365151 Directions

32 Cleveland St, London W1T 4JY

#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Stuart James Associates

4.736 Google reviews

Stuart James Associates is a London-based, in-house architecture, structural engineering, and surveying practice handling residential extensions, loft conversions, and party wall matters. Reviewers describe the firm coordinating all three disciplines directly, without outsourcing to separate consultants, on projects ranging from small ensuite additions to full home extensions.

What people praise

In-house structural engineering and surveying alongside architecture, avoiding coordination gaps
Reviewers highlight strong communication during party wall negotiations with neighbors
Described as a calming presence during otherwise stressful building projects
Structural engineers praised for fast, thorough inspections when needed urgently

Worth knowing

A small number of lower ratings compared to the top of this page

Reputation scorecardrank in London

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume36 · 76th

Confidenceearly

Recency10 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The all-in-one setup, architecture, engineering, and surveying under one roof, is the clearest reason to consider this firm, especially for projects with party wall complications.

Website +442072288522 Directions

4, Rex House, 4-12 Regent St., London SW1Y 4PE

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How we score

Rating is the live Google average, review volume measures how many customers have actually reviewed the firm relative to others on this page, and confidence weighs the two together, since a high score from a handful of reviews counts for less than a similar score from dozens. Recency checks how current the reviews are. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

What do residential architects cost in London? (2026)

Architect fees for residential work in London typically depend on project scale, whether the scope includes a full planning application, and how many design revisions are needed. None of the firms here publish specific fee figures in their reviews or site content, so ask for a written fee proposal tied to your project’s exact scope (concept, planning, and construction phases are often billed separately).

Serving all of London

These architects work across central London and beyond, from Mayfair and Soho-based practices to firms taking on projects across the wider city. If you’re searching for a residential architect near me for an extension, loft conversion, or full renovation, most of these firms will do an initial site visit before quoting.

What to ask before you hire a residential architect

Are you RIBA Chartered, and can you handle the planning application directly?
What’s included in your fee: concept design, planning, or full construction drawings?
Do you have in-house structural engineering, or will I need a separate consultant?
Can you show examples of projects similar in scale to mine?
How do you handle party wall agreements with neighbors?
What’s your track record with the local council’s planning department?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these architects?

We identified residential architecture practices with a meaningful Google presence in London and ranked them by a mix of rating, review volume, and how recently clients have been reviewing them.

How often is this updated?

This page was last verified in August 2026 using live Google Business data, and we refresh it periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Do I need an architect for a home extension in London?

It’s not always legally required, but an architect familiar with the local council’s planning process can significantly improve your odds of approval and often saves money over multiple rejected applications.

What’s a party wall agreement, and do these architects handle it?

It’s a legal agreement required when building work affects a shared wall with a neighbor. At least one firm on this list, Stuart James Associates, handles party wall negotiations directly as part of its service.

The bottom line

AGA Associates is the safest first call for most London homeowners, especially if planning approval is the main hurdle. If your project has already hit a rejected application elsewhere, qR Architects has a specific track record of turning those around.

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