Meet Our Westminster Cottage Clients
19/12/2024 • Clients
Our Westminster Cottage clients share their experience working with Astrain Scheldt.
If you are considering appointing an architect and want to find out what it could be like for you to embark on a project with us, this interview could be very helpful!
AS: How did you come across our practice and what motivated you to want to work with us?
Client: We saw a piece in the Observer about another project Astrain Scheldt had done, which we found very joyful, and so we added them to our shortlist. Having compared them with a few others on price and found them to be competitive, when we spoke to them we just really liked them. Our house had a similar layout to another they had worked on, which we also really liked, so we knew they understood how to work with ours.
We explained to Astrain Scheldt that we had a false start to our project with another designer, so they have been emotionally supportive, too. You’re speaking with your architect weekly, almost daily, about something deeply personal over a long period of time. There is a vulnerability with your personal space, your tastes, the decisions you’ve made about how you want to live, and they have been endlessly helpful, kind and smart in going on the journey with us.
AS: In particular, how do you feel that the design proposals responded to the heritage value of the property?
Client: It’s a railway workers cottage. So using the house’s Victorian industrial vibe as a grounding for the design feels very appropriate. They have picked this up in the treatment of the walls. The palette of natural materials echoes the origin of the building. They have been very responsive in terms of incorporating these details and this aspect of the house’s ‘soul’ into the design and materials, which makes it feel elegant and gentle.
AS: What would be your one ‘key’ piece of advice when choosing an architect for someone about to embark on a similar project?
Client: You absolutely need to feel comfortable with your architect, so that you can be honest and say what you feel, otherwise you might not end up with the result you truly desire. For example, in the area where we live, everyone tends to put the kitchen at the back or the front of the house and then complains about the dark and difficult middle room in Victorian terraces, but the answer for us was to put the kitchen in the middle – with Astrain Scheldt’s thoughtful design, and some elegant tech (like our downdraft extractor induction hob), it works brilliantly and we’re so proud of it. Likewise, I know my taste in vintage textiles and ceramics isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but we wanted a space where the things we love and collect over the years would look totally at home, and the kitchen reflects that aesthetic. Astrain Scheldt understood the importance of that, and helped us to achieve it.
AS: What difference has this project made to your life and to the way you live?
Client: The difference has been more profound than we expected. While it was so pleasing to see the initial stage 1 drawings come to life through the design process – and in our case the finished result is uncannily similar to those first drawings – we underestimated the impact it would have on our lives, from the time saved getting ready in the morning, or doing the laundry or cleaning, or being able to find things (because everything now has a place), through to our friendships – because we now have a beautiful home that we want to share with others. It’s been a lifechanging experience for us, and we’re so grateful to Astrain Scheldt for making it happen.
AS: What did you feel was the most valuable part of the design process?
Client: The technical design: we couldn’t afford not to do it. It would be a complete waste of money to have done everything up to that point if we hadn’t then taken the time to do the technical design.
My parents forewent it on a building project of their own and ended up making some compromises to the final result, which was such a shame, so we felt we couldn’t afford not to. Our space is compact, and we really needed to prioritise the details as this was key to the overall success of the space. This is especially true for London dwellers, where space is usually at a premium. We felt so much happier knowing that the design has been tested to ensure it would be a liveable, workable space. Otherwise, everything else is just pointless!
AS: What is your favourite part of the project?
Client: We love sitting around the dining table in our cosy snug, which has a delightful view of the garden – and is where our bathroom used to be. Previously, we would forget about the garden because it was out of sight, but opening up the house has meant that we now get to enjoy it the whole year round. Similarly, I now enjoy spending time reading in the bath! Before, this was an unnerving experience, as in its prior position there was a direct line of sight from there to the front door. But now, since our main bathroom is in the loft, it’s tucked away and is so peaceful and relaxing. The design has actively improved our lives in a way we couldn’t have imagined.
AS: Did you feel our approach helped to embrace the unique qualities of your home?
Client: Seeing the transformation of the space has been incredible - it’s so elegant in its simplicity. We think part of this is because Astrain Scheldt were responding to the actual building and what works for it, as well as for us. We appreciate that, because it has meant that we could use the house for inspiration and celebrate it for what it is.
We haven’t imitated someone else’s project. We’ve got a much more creative use of space that is unique to us. Astrain Scheldt helped us manifest what was in our minds in a really constructive, natural and supportive way.
AS: What were your main priorities when selecting an architect to work with?
Client: We were looking for a firm that would be supportive and engaged, and tell us it was going to be ok! We wanted to work with people that really cared and who would hold our hand through it - and we have got that with Astrain Scheldt. They have been incredibly helpful - we can speak to them about anything from a piece of furniture to garden design.
AS: Can you describe your experience working with our design process? What aspects stood out to you?
The design process was very interesting. The stage 1 design showed the space in 3D from various positions in the house. We really appreciated having a vision of what the house could look like from different vantage points.
We greatly benefited from the way the Astrain Scheldt team works – our house was a tricky space, and it was evident that the team had in-depth discussions about our project at every stage, and that the whole team were invested and had been involved. We really liked the fact that they brought a collegiate approach to solving problems with us.
