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Residential Architectural Services | Cambridge & Cambridgeshire
FT Studio is a residential architecture practice based in Cambridgeshire, specialising in house extensions, loft conversions, whole-house refurbishments, retrofit and bespoke new homes.
The studio is led by an architect and an architectural technologist, each with over 12 years’ experience delivering residential projects across Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire and surrounding villages. This combination brings together design-led thinking and technical precision, allowing projects to be developed with clarity from concept through to construction.
Our work is grounded in a straightforward principle: well-considered architecture that improves how homes work, feel and perform over time.
We have a 100% planning approval record to date, reflecting a consistent, informed approach to design within local planning policy and context.
What We Do
We work across the full spectrum of domestic architecture, from small-scale interventions through to complete reconfiguration of existing houses and new-build homes.
Our work typically includes:
loft conversions within constrained roof structures
house extensions (rear, side and wraparound)
full-house refurbishment and reconfiguration
sustainable retrofit of existing buildings
bespoke new-build residential architecture
Projects range in scale from single-space interventions to full-house transformations and replacement dwellings, including work on period properties, constrained urban plots and sensitive village sites.
Each project begins with a careful reading of the building or site, allowing proposals to respond directly to context, constraints and opportunity — rather than a fixed design formula.
Loft Conversions
We design loft conversions that make efficient use of existing roof structures while creating calm, well-proportioned living spaces.
Particular attention is given to:
head height and spatial quality
daylight and roof geometry
circulation between floors
integration with the existing house
We have extensive experience delivering loft conversions in terraced, semi-detached and detached houses across Cambridge and surrounding villages, including within planning-sensitive contexts.
House Extensions
We design extensions that unlock space, light and better connections to the garden while remaining proportionate to the original building.
Each extension is shaped by the specific qualities of the house and its setting, rather than a predetermined aesthetic approach.
Key considerations include:
spatial flow and natural light
proportion, scale and material response
relationship between old and new
long-term flexibility of use
Refurbishment & Renovation
Many of our projects involve the comprehensive reworking of existing houses, improving both layout and performance.
This often includes:
complete internal reconfiguration
upgrading outdated services and fabric
improving thermal performance and comfort
resolving fragmented or inefficient layouts
Where possible, we prioritise working with the existing building rather than replacing it, extending its life through careful adaptation and improvement.
Sustainable Retrofit
We specialise in fabric-first retrofit strategies, improving the performance of existing homes through carefully targeted interventions.
These typically include:
external wall insulation
upgraded roof and floor insulation
improved airtightness
high-performance glazing
efficient low-energy heating systems
Our approach balances energy performance with architectural integrity, particularly in older and character buildings where careful detailing is essential.
New Homes
We design bespoke new-build houses for private clients from early feasibility through to completion.
Each new home is shaped by its site, planning context and brief, with a focus on:
long-term durability
spatial clarity and proportion
energy efficiency and performance
careful integration within landscape or village context
New-build projects are approached with the same discipline as refurbishment work — considered, contextual and carefully resolved.
Planning & Technical Services
Planning Permission
We have extensive experience securing planning permission for residential projects across Cambridge and Cambridgeshire, including work in conservation areas, sensitive village locations and on constrained urban plots.
Our submissions are structured, clear and design-led, supported by:
Design & Access Statements
Heritage Statements (where required)
Planning Statements and supporting material
Our track record reflects a consistent ability to develop proposals that align with both client ambition and planning policy.
Technical Design & Delivery
We provide a full architectural service from concept through to construction, including:
detailed technical design and construction drawings
coordination with structural and specialist consultants
building regulations packages
tender documentation and contractor support
site-stage support through to completion
Our focus is on ensuring that design intent is carried through into built reality with clarity and precision.
How We Work
We work closely with clients through a structured but collaborative process.
Each project begins with understanding the brief in depth — not only what is required, but how the space needs to function day-to-day and evolve over time.
This early clarity allows decisions to be made with confidence, reducing complexity later in the process and ensuring that design direction is consistent from concept to completion.
Our role is to guide projects from first ideas through to construction, balancing design ambition with technical resolution and buildability.
Types of Projects
Loft conversions
House extensions
Whole-house refurbishments
Sustainable retrofit of existing homes
Bespoke new-build houses
Long-term adaptable family homes
Locations
We work primarily across Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire and surrounding villages, with selected projects across Cambridgeshire and the wider region.
If you’d like to discuss a project
We’re happy to review sites, sketches or early ideas and advise on feasibility, planning strategy and next steps.