We work across a broad spectrum of different project types from private residential and housing to bars, restaurants and retail, offices, education and animal welfare. We have worked all over the UK plus recent projects in Sydney, Bulgaria and Iran. Collaboration is very important to us, building a strong relationship with our client from the outset through to working with the contractor on site. Our design approach is always underpinned by a desire for simplicity and this is achieved through a rigorous attention to detail. We also enjoy working with colour whether it's for subtle accent or for a more graphic approach. We are used to working with tight budgets and will always find ways to creatively add value for our clients. Whether it is a smaller £100K project or a multi £M development, we respond to our clients' brief by pushing the boundaries of what is possible from a Town Planning perspective, controlling costs, achieving deadlines and delivering for great results. The office is an RIBA Chartered Practice and is ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems certified.
Jonathan studied and qualified as an architect at Kingston University in 1992 and set up Jonathan Clark Architects in 2002 having spent ten years working on a wide ranging portfolio of high profile projects for a number of well known architectural practices such as Philip Cox in Sydney (Olympics 2000 Aquatic Centre and city master planning in Kuwait), Future Systems (Lords Media Centre - Stirling Prize winner in 1999) and Dixon Jones (National Portrait Gallery extension).
Jonathan is involved in all projects and has an overview of design across the studio. His experience includes commercial development, private residential, education, restaurant/bar/cafe projects, internal fit-outs and interior design plus now animal welfare having now been involved in some twelve different projects for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as well as other animal charities and veterinary clients.
Jonathan Clark
BA(Hons), DipArch, ARB, RIBA
Director
Jonathan Clark Architects is an award winning RIBA Chartered Practice, dedicated to delivering truly inspiring design-led architecture for all our clients.
We always listen to what our clients want and interpret their tastes, requirements and ambitions and strive to produce buildings that will exceed their expectations. Regardless of the size, complexity or timelines involved, we are fully committed to realising our projects on time and on budget.
We are experienced with both new build projects as well as remodelling or altering existing structures including listed buildings. We hold ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems certification.
A typical architectural service could (but not exclusively) include the following:
• Development of the brief – working with our clients in order to fully understand their requirements and translate these into a clear communicable brief that can be used as a blueprint to develop further all the way to a finished building.
• Feasibility studies - looking at existing buildings or sites, and proposing and reviewing options for development. This can also be offered as a standalone service – please see under ‘Services’.
• Design an inspiring building or interior for client feedback – we will usually provide various options at the start of a project.
• Planning applications/applications for listed building consent – developing designs, preparing drawings and design and access statements, commissioning and collating additional reports and supporting documentation as required and making applications to the local authority for planning permission and/or listed building consent. This can also be offered as a standalone service – please see under ‘Services’.
• Working drawings and specifications – preparing full construction documentation including coordination with other consultants (structural engineer, M&E services engineer etc)
• Building Regulations – preparing drawings, specifications and reports and making applications for building control approval
• Tender package – producing a fully comprehensive and detailed set of construction information and schedules/specifications etc in enough detail to obtain a fixed price for the works from contractors
• Procurement – advising on the best procurements route for the building works, preparing and compiling tender documents as required – all hand in hand with the Quantity Surveyor (QS).
• Contract administration/site inspection – acting as contract administrator under a traditional form of building contract and inspecting works on site to ensure compliance with drawings and specifications through to completion of works on site or operating under a design and build or construction management form of contract.
We can tailor our services to the exact requirements of a particular client and will therefore always discuss a prospective project in detail before making a comprehensive proposal of the services we could provide.
We see the interiors of buildings being as important as the exteriors. Great interior design enhances great architecture and also transforms existing buildings - whether they are historic conversions or more modern developments.
We believe that interiors should be both functional and inspiring and we apply this philosophy to all our projects from remodelled, extended spaces to new-build ones.
We find that creative use of colour, texture and different material and surface treatments all combine to produce a unique internal environment that can either provide harmony or surprise due to unexpected or unconventional combination of materials or colour.
Every aspect of an interior is very carefully designed from wall and floor finishes, bespoke joinery, built-in furniture, lighting design, to kitchen and bathroom specifications. We interpret our clients’ tastes and ambitions to produce interiors that exceed their expectations.
We particularly enjoy the challenge of ‘unlocking’ an existing compromised internal layout to produce a naturally flowing and light interior that can transform the way we work, live or play.
The practice is experienced in and enjoys the challenge of converting historic or listed buildings to suit contemporary needs.
We provide a very high degree of personal attention and expertise to each individual client regardless of the size of the project. We look beyond the ordinary to produce architecture that not only meets clients’ needs but also exceeds their expectations.
The practice is particularly skilled in the integration of both traditional and modern technologies within historic and listed buildings and interiors to make them more environmentally sustainable, energy-efficient and fit for modern purposes.
We have a great deal of experience and success in negotiating with local authority planning departments, particularly in London.
Recently we have achieved the following for our clients:
• Planning consent for a double basement (including below front and rear gardens), a two storey rear extension and an additional floor at roof level for a Victorian terrace within a conservation area in Notting Hill (Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea). Currently on site.
• Planning consent for the demolition of two adjacent terraced houses to form a single new-build three storey house with basement below the entire plot within a conservation area in Chelsea (Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea). Completed.
• Planning consent for the amalgamation of three large apartments in Notting Hill to form one single 400m2(4,300ft2) apartment despite this development being recommended for refusal by Westminster Council as they did not believe that it conformed to their policy. Currently on site.
• Planning and conservation consent for a single storey full width (22 metres) rear extension and basement swimming pool complex to a very large Victorian house in Highgate within a conservation area. Currently on site.
• Listed building and planning consent for a two storey full width ‘glass box’ rear extension with significant internal alterations to a large Grade 2 listed Victorian house in Barnes. This was won on appeal with the Planning Inspector awarding full costs to our clients. (London Borough of Richmond)
We are able to offer a very successful graphic design and branding service through our design partner Rashna Mody Clark
This ensures that tthe whole identity and ethos of the client’s brand is fully implemented, coordinated and integrated throughout the architectural and interior design of the whole building.
This service can apply to retail, hospitality, commercial and education projects.
Please contact us for further details.
Our design audits are a great tool for developers and contractors to assess the level of design risk associated to a project when progressing from early design into technical design and construction stages.
The scope of these audits are mainly determined by the planning conditions, building regulations, tenure mix and the client design and founding requirements.
A typical list of the key areas of design criteria and guideline documents covered in one of our audits would read as follows:
• Lifetimes Homes Assessment or the new Approved Document M (incorporating the Lifetime Homes standards since October 2015).
• London Housing Design Guide Assessment.
• ER’s or Housing Association Requirements Assessment (if applicable).
• Local Authority Wheelchair Housing Design Guide Assessment.
• Fire Strategy Assessment based on Approved Document B.
• Assessment and level of M&E design integration.
• Assessment and level of structural design integration.
• SVP Stacks Assessment.
• Flat Areas Audit.
• Room Areas and General Storage Assessment.
• Secured by Design Assessment.
• Car Parking Design Assessment.
• Cycle Storage Requirements Assessment.
Specific information on each set of design criteria is methodically and clearly identified in the corresponding sections of the design audit report qualifying and identifying levels of compliance along with fully comprehensive and intuitive graphics, drawings, schedules and succinct summary reports.
We can also identify ways in which a design can be improved or rectified in order to ensure compliance and contribute to the value engineering process.
The extent of the design audits can be attuned to specific requirements, budgets and time constraints.
Please contact us for further details
Feasibility studies are preliminary studies undertaken in the very early stage of a project and investigate and evaluate the potential of a site or a building. They tend to be carried out when a project is large or complex, or where there is some doubt or controversy regarding the proposed development.
Whether the proposal is for residential/housing use, educational or commercial use, we help clients and developers with such studies to ascertain whether a project has the potential to be moved forwards both in terms of costs and maximising the potential for gaining planning consent.
In summary, the purpose of a feasibility study is to:
• Establish whether the potential project is viable.
• Help identify feasible options in terms of potential unit numbers, sizes etc
• Assist in the development of other project documentation such as the business case, project execution plan and strategic brief.
On larger or more complex projects, there may be a number of different feasibility studies carried out depending upon the client’s aims and the complexity of the site, sometimes requiring different skills, and considering issues such as:
• Planning permission.
• The likelihood of an environmental impact assessment being required.
• Other legal / statutory approvals.
• Analysis of the budget relative to client requirements.
• Assessment of the potential to re-use existing facilities or building new facilities.
• Assessment of any site information provided by the client.
• Site appraisals, including geotechnical studies, assessment of any contamination, availability of services, uses of adjoining land, easements and restrictive covenants, environmental impact etc.
• Considering different solutions to accessing potential sites.
• Analysis of accommodation
• Programme considerations.
• Procurement options.
We are also very happy to give informal advice over the phone as an initial no-cost option.
Please contact us for further details.
