Syte Architects

We first met Oliver six years ago when we needed what seemed to be a very minor and barely noticeable alteration to the exterior of our house. It turned out to be quite a sensitive planning permission application which I am sure would never have been granted without his knowledge and expertise. He has since worked with us on various projects some quite small: designing a fireplace with concrete seating; helping us plan the layout for a new shower room - previously a storage room – cleverly finding a way of adding a skylight and creating what now feels like a very spacious room. Other projects have been much more involved. Designing and securing planning permission for a terrace with steps leading from first floor to basement level – we live in a conservation area and it can be very difficult to get planning permission as the council are extremely resistant to any changes. Oliver also worked to help me create an artist’s studio with living space. This was a total refurbishment involving many structural problems and storage issues. It was a pleasure working with him on this project because Oliver is very good at taking the time to truly listen, think about, discuss and understand what one is trying to achieve. I was impressed by the number of solutions he came up with and how well thought through – suggesting inventive ways of designing a better version of what I had in mind. He is very much a 'yes' person looking always to how something might be achieved rather than why it won't work.

We have used Oliver for a few projects and would not hesitate to recommend Syte Architects to anyone. Oliver responds so thoughtfully and sensitively to the environment and, in a world where many people like to present problems, Oliver and his studio always come up with clever and beautiful solutions. They are hugely supportive and conscientious throughout the project, delivering the end result on time and on budget, and we are so thrilled with the work they have done.

We have worked with Rob & his colleagues for many years now, providing guidance, technical opinion & products relating to acoustic insulation on their many and varied new, conversion & refurbishment projects. It's always been a real pleasure to work with such a friendly team of visionaries and we hope to do so for many more years to come. Thank you Syte !

Syte Architects is a well-established firm of qualified professional creative and innovative designers. We bought our property in Hampstead Garden Suburb in 2015. A beautiful detached property convenient for all amenities tube station, Hampstead heath & shops. The 6 Bedroom home we bought had not been renovated for 40years it required extensive modernisation. We wanted to create a family home for our four young children a place where the kids would grow up, a place that we would call home for a long time. We had some great ideas for the house and understand the challenges we would face when we bought the property. Our property is based in Hampstead Garden Suburb, we were charmed by the house the moment we viewed it. The Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust (HGST) have done a suburb job of preserving all the original features of all the homes on the road: crittel windows, orginal front door and the wonderful landscaped gardens. The whole road thanks to (HGST) is a real oasis so we really wanted our renovation to fit in perfectly with the all the other homes. We used two architects when we started the planning process in February 2015, they both failed to acquire planning we required. We then approached Oliver Barsoum and Sonja Rump from Syte Architects. Back in 2008 Oliver Barsoum acquired planning permission to build a house on a piece of land on the county roads in East Finchley. We had been trying for several years to obtain planning and Oliver successfully took on the challenge and we built a stunning contemporary four-bedroom house approx. 1900sqft comprising of a ground floor and basement, we moved in and lived there for 5years. When Oliver & Somja came to view our house in the suburbs at the end of 2017 Oliver immediately recognised the potential for our home and by talking to us and meeting the family Syte really understood our requirements. Syte seems to have a real flare for making use of the space available. They work on a number of properties in central London and specialise on making the most of every inch of space available. Over the years with the number of projects they have done they seem to get better and better at doing this. They applied a similar skill to our larger property knowing the number of bathrooms and living space required for a family of 6 they seemed to have looked at the house in a completely different way to the other architects. They created 7 bedrooms all with ensuites, a gym area, utility, cinema room formal dining area and a stunning kitchen dinner by adding a small extension to the rear of the house. Having years of experience in town they are accustomed to working on projects that have a number of restrictions whether its space, grade 2 listed or structural challenges Syte architects have a talent for turning those challenges into opportunities. Syte worked very closely with HGST to make sure all their ideas were in keeping with the local area. During the build Syte continued to build on this relationship with HGST which resulted in our renovation running smoothly on time and in budget. Syte Architects were exceptional at really understanding HGST requirements they got them in at every stage and made sure the house was signed off by HGST before we moved back in. Syte also worked closely with our electricians, Project Manager, carpenters & structural engineers providing a seamless end to end solution. They also provided layout specifications and guidance on all our finishes drawing on their previous experience and contacts, we have ended up with a stunning home. I would like to recommend Syte Architects Limited – Ten Golden Square London W1F 9JA Tel – 020 7734 310. www.sytearchitects.com. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions Suki 07956339110.

We worked with Rob Whitlock of Syte Architects to provide a kitchen extension to our early Edwardian townhouse in Lewisham. Syte designed the extension, handled applications for permission and managed the build. We chose Syte after consulting several architects. We picked Syte because the company presence was stylish and mature, because we liked Rob's presentation and ideas, and because Rob himself came across well. Syte are professional, knowledgeable and collaborate well with their clients and partners. We were intimately involved with the design process and were most pleased with the resulting design. Rob found a great contracting team to do the building work. Rob's sensible, consensual approach to problems that arise was very useful when dealing with local authorities, neighbours and some of our more problematic subcontractors.

Since being introduced to Rob in connection with a challenging North London residential portfolio I have gone on to work with Syte over the past 10 years on various residential projects in London and the West Country and have found them to be one of the few Architectural practices that can combine design flair with practical building detailing. Their relaxed and non-confrontational style and willingness to adapt to the Client’s specific requirements is one of their key strengths. Our good relationship has led to collaborations on a number of projects where difficult Planning approvals and appeals have been 100% successfully obtained, including in areas of outstanding natural beauty, grade 2 listed properties and unusual locations.

We have worked with Syte on 4 projects, 3 of which have been design only and 1 which we have actually built. For each of the projects we found Syte to be very diligent in their work, and they stayed within budget and timetable. The design process was usually done on the basis of a few initial meetings (offsite and on), where we as the client set out what we were looking for, and Syte would design around the various constraints and would flag up problematic areas which would either require some re-design or input from other professionals. Generally speaking they were good to work with and had good ideas. Construction is always the more stressful side of development work, but Rob and the team were very well organised and fought our corner on a number of occasions, where necessary. Syte were very collaborative and sought to bring in other experts early on, so that there were no unnecessary holdups. They had a very good work ethic and we were pleased with the resulting house. They worked well with the builder. Rob & the team are good to work with and I can highly recommend them.

I have worked with Rob Whitlock and Syte Architects on a number of projects. I appointed Syte to work with me on a major refurbishment of my own family home and I have also worked as client representative with Rob on a number of larger residential development projects on tight, challenging urban sites as well as refurbishments of listed historic Georgian houses. Many of these projects involved difficult and complex planning situations and Rob proved adept at handling and resolving these. Rob has a collaborative approach through all stages of the project and we enjoyed an excellent working relationship, including with our awsome contractor, which can be a tricky relationship. He combines creative design abilities with a high level of technical and construction knowledge. I have no hesitation in recommending Syte Architects.

Over many years I have had experience of quite a number of architects. It is by no means easy to select the right one. For me the crucial factor is the architect's ability to find the best way of carrying out your ideas - rather than telling you that cannot be done - and augmenting and improving them with his own. Oliver Barsoum and Syte have acted for us in two projects, each involving substantial works to the upper parts of houses, one listed, and each necessitating planning appeals - successful. In both cases we have been very pleased with the outcome, and valued Oliver's creative abilities in fulfilling our wishes. The next important factor is that the architect should be a pleasure to work with, through thick and thin, over what may be a long relationship, as Oliver has been, amply providing the essentials ingredients of that relationship: efficiency, technical competence, reliability, trustworthiness, transparency in charging .. and patience and charm.

We used Oliver Barsoum's services a few years back to remodel our house. He came up with highly imaginative plans, modified them to suit us, explained everything along the way and provided us with a great builder who managed the project extremely well, on time and on budget. 7 years later, the work has stood the test of time. I would highly recommend Syte.

Having not done a property renovation before, the team at Syte were recommended to us. They were excellent at taking us through all of it step by step, from ideas, planning permission, to sourcing materials and builders Imaginative, friendly and responsive but overall highly professional.