London’s Residential Architecture: Finding Your Perfect Fit
Finding an ideal living situation is no easy feat - and even more difficult if you plan on moving to a city with a multitude of diverse housing options available to you. London’s residential architecture has evolved dramatically in recent years, with a vast spectrum of living options out there for Londoners looking to combine style, practicality and a prime location.
Today we’re breaking down the variety of housing options situated throughout London to help you find your perfect fit.
Student flats
An obvious choice for students who want to live the student life to its fullest.
Pros: Many student flats are conveniently located near universities or in the city centre, meaning no long commutes on the tube to get to where you want to go. These flats generally tend to have the basics, and come furnished. Living with other students in a block of flats gives you the opportunity to meet lots of people and really experience the student lifestyle first-hand.
Cons: Students who move away from home for university are living independently for the first time - so if you’re looking for peace and quiet most nights, it’s likely this will be hard to find. Parking can also create some issues, with huge numbers of students opting to bring their cars with them - so take some initiative and scope out the surrounding area for potential parking spaces.
Price: A room in a student flat comes in at roughly £100-£200 per week, depending on university and location.
Shared flats
A shared flat is the ideal choice if you want to avoid knocking around a big space but would still like to maintain some privacy. This living option is perfect for graduates who’ve just begun their first full-time job, or young couples who want to spread their living costs between other tenants.
Pros: The shared flat will generally be in an area close to local amenities, so you’ll never be far from convenience or the community. If you’re a sociable person, you won’t feel lonely as there’ll always be someone else in the house.
Cons: Depending on how thin the walls are, you might find yourself hearing footsteps, doors slamming or even people talking in the flats next door to you throughout the day. Another potential issue is only being able to access your flat via stairs, which is sometimes the case - and if you live on the top floor, this can create issues when transporting larger items.
Price: A single room in a shared flat comes in at £350 per month (Stratford) to anywhere up to £1000+ for a double room (Tottenham).
Warehouse apartments
A stylish new option that has recently started to trend is taking up refurbished space in warehouse flats. If you’re looking to move in with a large group of people, this is the perfect option.
Pros: There’s so much space, you won’t know what to do with it!
Cons: Due to the exposed brick, you might find that the flat becomes exposed to leaks easily. The large space can make it a difficult flat to warm up in the winter, so you may need to invest in some blankets and portable heaters to combat the cold temperatures.
Price: A double room in a warehouse flat starts at £660 per calendar month (Haringey).
Studio apartments
When the concept of a ‘studio apartment’ was first realised, residential architects had quite a task on their hands - to transform limited space into a practical and stylish property.
Pros: Studio apartments are the perfect option if you’re on a budget and want to stay close to the city centre. Alternatively, they can double up as temporary accommodation if you’re only visiting the city for a short space of time.
Cons: Naturally, it can feel a little cramped having your bed next to your kitchen - and there isn’t a huge amount of room to entertain.
Price: A studio flat starts from £600 per calendar month (Forest Gate).
Modern apartments
This is where we begin to explore how far residential architecture can go. The modern flat is best suited to those who want to be in the centre of all of the city action - and with control over your home, these flats bring with them a greater level of freedom.
Pros: If you’re looking for a living space that reflects your identity, modern flats give you the opportunity to experiment with interior design and really adapt the space to suit you. Stylish and spacious, modern apartments are also a fantastic place to entertain friends and family.
Cons: These can be comparatively expensive to rent - so if you’ve found an apartment you can see yourself settling in, it may be worth opting to buy and viewing the property as a long-term investment.
Price: A one bedroom modern flat starts at £300 per week (Shepherd's Bush).
Terraced houses
London architecture has come a long way, and terraced houses are one of the staples of modern architecture in the capital. These properties are perfect for families, newlyweds or working professionals.
Pros: A terraced house makes an ideal home for those who want to be more involved with their community, as you’ll most likely get to know your next door neighbours. They also provide an opportunity to get creative with interior design - as well as more than enough room to accommodate family and friends.
Cons: If you have thin walls, these may cause some unwanted issues. With many terraced houses situated by a busy road, you may also find that you’ll need to get used to the regular sound of city traffic.
Price: A one bedroom terraced house in London starts at £200,000 (Thamesmead).
Semi-detached
This is where residential architecture really begins to shine. A semi-detached house is perfect for a small family, newlyweds, or if you’re moving in with a larger group of people and would each prefer some space of your own.
Pros: The amount of room within one of these properties is generous - and there are a range of ways to style the property to your preferences. You’ll also get your own driveway, meaning there’s no need to fight over parking spots with strangers.
Cons: Once again, the neighbours and noise can mean potential issues. You might find that maintenance can take a while and the bills can be more expensive in winter, as it’ll take a little while to heat up the house.
Price: A 2 bedroom semi-detached house will set you back at least £310,000 (Blackheath).
Whichever property type is your pick of the bunch, the key is to find a space that suits your lifestyle - whether that means a convenient commute into the heart of the capital or a roomy home with sufficient space to have family and friends rounds for some dinner and drinks. Once you’ve found your perfect fit, all that’s left to do it make the home your own.
At Pinchin Architects, we specialise in high end residential architecture - delivering designs that are buildable and beautiful. Using our years of experience in the world of modern architecture, we create spaces that are contemporary, cohesive and characterful – guaranteeing that every project is not only intelligent but also inspiring.