Thomas & Spiers Architects
London Office:
13A Iliffe Yard, Kennington, SE17 3QA
T: +44 (0)207 450 2898
Suffolk Office:
The Forge, Woolverstone,
IP9 1AX
T: +44 (0)1473 780 473
E: info@thomasandspiers.com
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Thomas and Spiers Architects are a recently established, team of RIBA Chartered Architects and Designers. We specialise in residential design and individual houses, sustainable building design and building conservation. With architectural experience in both commercial and private sectors, we will work with you to develop your initial ideas, guiding the project through the statutory processes, whilst focusing to deliver your project on time, and to your budget. We believe that good design adds immeasurable quality, value, comfort and flexibility to the way we live and work. We aim to achieve good, modern and yet lasting design whilst responding subtly to the context. Part time teaching in architecture and environmental design ensures that we, as a practice are continuously looking to achieve energy efficient design solutions using new and cost effective materials. A high level of experience in the construction industry also allows for good cost analysis and control of the building process.
Image: Sketch design for a new build house in Hertfordshire - Town House Kennington, 2005 - 2006
This remodeling and refurbishment of a three-storey terrace in the Kennington conservation area added living space at basement level to create a substantial property. At basement level a large opening was formed to the rear to create a strong visual connection to the courtyard, creating a light and open plan basement for family living. Certain existing and traditional details were retained and juxtaposed with modern finishes, kitchen and bathrooms to reflect the original nature of the building. - Town House Kennington, 2005 - 2006
This remodeling and refurbishment of a three-storey terrace in the Kennington conservation area added living space at basement level to create a substantial property. At basement level a large opening was formed to the rear to create a strong visual connection to the courtyard, creating a light and open plan basement for family living. Certain existing and traditional details were retained and juxtaposed with modern finishes, kitchen and bathrooms to reflect the original nature of the building. - Environmental Analysis
Environmental analysis for sunlight and Daylight to a new basement remodel -
Rear extension with retractable roof, 2011
Design development for a renovation, basement and Steel Clad rear extension with retractable roof. -
Rear extension with retractable roof, 2011
Design development for a renovation, basement and Steel Clad rear extension with retractable roof. -
A House in Caminha, Portugal 2006 - 2008
This new build family house was designed around a central courtyard, allowing for cross ventilation in the warm summers. Built into a hard sloping site, an infinity pool over looks a breath taking view of the Atlantic Ocean, whilst the cantilvered roof plane shades a fully glazed façade. Hard wearing materials were selected internally to ensure the life span of the interior. -
A House in Caminha, Portugal 2006 - 2008
This new build family house was designed around a central courtyard, allowing for cross ventilation in the warm summers. Built into a hard sloping site, an infinity pool over looks a breath taking view of the Atlantic Ocean, whilst the cantilvered roof plane shades a fully glazed façade. Hard wearing materials were selected internally to ensure the life span of the interior. -
A House in Caminha, Portugal 2006 - 2008
This new build family house was designed around a central courtyard, allowing for cross ventilation in the warm summers. Built into a hard sloping site, an infinity pool over looks a breath taking view of the Atlantic Ocean, whilst the cantilvered roof plane shades a fully glazed façade. Hard wearing materials were selected internally to ensure the life span of the interior. - New-build Maisonettes Chiswick, 2010 - Present
New House in Chiswick just received planning. -
Perspectives, 2006 - 2008
Three new Sustainable houses with basements and large gardens in Hertfordshire -
A House in Hertfordshire, 2007 - 2009.
This large family house in Hertfordshire was predominantly demolished leaving a structural skeleton, with only the existing front and side walls being fully retained. A completely remodeled, modern interior was developed to house a Gym, utility and services and Kitchen at ground floor, two additional bedrooms and bathroom at first floor and new office, utilizing the vaulted roof. At the rear of the house a new timber clad cube enables a flexible living space to span across the extent of the property and open out onto a mature garden. -
A House in Hertfordshire, 2007 - 2009
The brief intended to minimize circulation at both floors. This is achieved by means of omitting any evidence of corridors throughout the house, with a series of fluid spaces. A glass balustrade stair leads up to a double height vaulted secondary living area at first floor flooded with natural light. The existing trees and soft landscaping were retained and brought into the house where possible. - Two New-build houses Hertfordshire, 2010 - Present
Currently on site. - House Frame
Steel frames being erected for 2 new houses in Hertfordshire. - Worker's Cottage Conversion, 2008
Set within the same grounds as the Artist's Studio, the brief for this tired, claustrophobic cottage was create a series of light, coherent spaces with views over the orchard gardens that run down to the mill stream at the back of the property. Constrained by the setting and the existing envelope, the cluttered internal walls and ceilings were ripped out and holes were punched into the walls and roof to allow light into the darker corners of the house. Minimally decorated, the inreconnecting volumes provide backdrops for scupltures and artwork. A new staircase with powder coated laser cut steel trimmers, oak treads and stainless steel tension cable balustrading was installed as a central reference, the cables a visual nod to the nearby sea. - Mews House Notting Hill, 2007 - 2010
This is the extensive remodeling of a mid-nineteenth century stables into a private dwelling. It is located in a unique mews and conservation area near Notting Hill, London. Set over three and a half storeys, the solid oak stair case became the driving element of the open plan and contemporary design of the building. The sculptural centre piece to each space or floor, it weaves through clinging on to the existing structure where it can. Open risers allows each and every floor to be flooded with light. A new floor creates an additional two double bedrooms and two bathrooms on top of the existing structure. - Two remodeled houses Battersea, 2006 - 2008
The refurbishment of two small houses near Battersea, using highly specified finishes and attentive detailing. In one, a solid oak and glass staircase connects two floors, whilst bringing light into the centre of the house. The other, a more ambitious cantilevered oak clad stair ensuring an entirely open plan living arrangement. Underfloor heating, fully incorporated Audio/Visual systems, bespoke walnut joinery and contemporary Italian kitchens ensure that the houses were finished to a high standard. - The Insect Society (London Town House) Kensington, 2007 - 2010
This project was the complete change of use and restoration of a 12,000 square foot 1860's grade II* house in South Kensington. The 7 storey, turn 8 storey building had a rich and evident history, having been the home and archives of the Royal entomological (insect) society for most of it's life. The building was therefore as much a museum as a house, with many famous members, such as Charles Darwin himself adding to the rich history of the Society. - The Insect Society (London Town House) Kensington, 2007 - 2010
Although many of the distinguishing details were covered, what lay beneath was still relatively well preserved. A feature of the building, which led to it's grade II* listing, was a subterranean conference facility constructed underground when the society took possession of the building. Some truly breath taking rooms were to be brought back to life in an attempt to restore the building back to a single family dwelling of extreme grandeur. The original plasterwork, depicting stories and characters of the societies past, as well as 17 unique and original fireplaces, some commissioned by the society, and revealing details of magical insects, were all able to be beautifully retained and restored. - The Insect Society (London Town House) Kensington, 2007 - 2010
Whilst ensuring that all the original details of the building fabric were fully restored, a more modern minimalist, but highly textured approach was taken for much of the interior space. High quality sold oak floors were offset against sculptural individual fixings. Layout and spaces were developed to maximize daylight and create a fluidity of space to allow a more modern way of living within a relatively rigid early Victorian body. A new elevator cleverly concealed within the rear return ensured that the eight stories of the house were better connected. - Listed Townhouse Clapham, 2009 - 2010
This is the restoration and remodeling of a five storey grade II listed building back into a single family dwelling. The property had been left derelict, unlived in for nearly ten years. Thorough consultation with the conservation team at the council have helped to bring the house back to life as close as possible to what it would have once been some 150 years ago, whilst creating a 'contemporary' house fit for purpose. - Listed Townhouse Clapham, 2009 - 2010
The remodeling involved opening up and dropping a disused basement and creating an open plan family living room and kitchen with bespoke furniture, wall units and kitchen. It also included a lead, slate and aluminium rear extension with a fully retractable facade. - An Artist's Studio and Boat Store - Holbrook, Suffolk, 2005-2006
Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within the curtilage of a Grade II listed Mill House the brief for this crumbling potting shed was to transform it into an artist's studio that would reconnect the building to the surrounding landscape and wide Suffolk skies and flood the internal spaces with the natural light essential for a sculptor. A self-confessed collector of boats, the client also wanted to be able to work on his boats and their accumulated parts in the warming presence of a log burning stove, hence the inclusion of full width 2.8m high folding timber doors set into a flush floor track, thus allowing boats to be pulled in and worked on over the winter months. -
Ullswater Sailing Club Competition, 2011
This RIBA competition entry was carried out in partnership with A-Zero Environmental Architects, and consultants, Price and Myers Structural Engineers and Academy Consulting Quantity surveyors. The brief, to design a new sailing club building for Ullswater Sailing Club in the Lake District. was created due to the current one having recently been flooded due to historically high flood water levels. The challenge was to design a building that would cover future inundations whilst also creating a coherent environment for sailing club members and social visitors. The water is the elemental connection, the building stretches and reaches over the lake, anchored to the land by a steel truss, fixed alongside solid local dry stone walls whilst the central timber circulation deck connects to a floating building - one that responds the the environmnent, lifting as the flood waters rise and gently settling as the waters recede. The surrounding landscape and sky is reflected in the rhythm of the roofs, braced against the SW winds, collecting autumnal rains and orientated south to absorb the summer sun. -
Ullswater Sailing Club Competition, 2011
This RIBA competition entry was carried out in partnership with A-Zero Environmental Architects, and consultants, Price and Myers Structural Engineers and Academy Consulting Quantity surveyors. The brief, to design a new sailing club building for Ullswater Sailing Club in the Lake District. was created due to the current one having recently been flooded due to historically high flood water levels. The challenge was to design a building that would cover future inundations whilst also creating a coherent environment for sailing club members and social visitors. The water is the elemental connection, the building stretches and reaches over the lake, anchored to the land by a steel truss, fixed alongside solid local dry stone walls whilst the central timber circulation deck connects to a floating building - one that responds the the environmnent, lifting as the flood waters rise and gently settling as the waters recede. The surrounding landscape and sky is reflected in the rhythm of the roofs, braced against the SW winds, collecting autumnal rains and orientated south to absorb the summer sun. - New build nursery school with nine new apartments in Elephant and Castle, Present
Planning stage for a new build nursery school with nine new apartments in Southwark. -
Wavertree Physiotherapy and Healthy Living Centre, 2011
This is the early design development for a new innovative centre for Physiotherapy and healthy living, set in a rural location in Buckinghamshire. Services include chartered physiotherapy, pilates, yoga, massage, sports rehabilitation and personal training. The Brief consists of 7 Consultancy and treatment rooms, staff facilities, office, changing and shower facilities, reception, seating, exercise class and gym areas. These services join together harmoniously around a private courtyard to be used for outdoor classes and relaxing. The glazed concourse wraps around a landscaped courtyard and ensures natural light is being maximised. The building's orientation ensures efficient passive solar gain and takes advantage of the impressive views across the landscape. The design utilises natural ventilation and cooling, maximises daylight and perimeter drainage feeds a grey water storage system. Well insulated, dense brick walls act as heat sinks and high levels of thermal and sound insulation are created on the external walls with integrated storage walls to block out any unwanted noise. -
Wavertree Physiotherapy and Healthy Living Centre, 2011
Environmental daylight analysis for consultancy rooms at the physio therapy centre. -
Basement
Extensive remodel of large wimbledon house with new extensions, sunken courtyard and basement living areas - Listed Building Hampstead, 2010 - Present
Currently going through planning. - House remodel Clapham Common, 2010 - Present
This is the extensive remodeling of a 1930s house next to Clapham Common. A new floor creates an additional master bedroom and bathroom whilst the full width rear extension allows for a large open plan living and new kitchen. On site in January 2010.
