Testimonials
We love our Edwardian 6 bedroom home where we brought up our three daughters but want to renovate it so that it worked for us in our new stage of life. We wanted light, space and modern functionality but also needed to respect the history and style of the house. We looked at 10 different architects via RIBA and interviewed 4 firms. MTA were excellent from start to finish. Michael Trentham and his team listened carefully to our ideas and aspirations, asked lots of questions and came out with 3 different plans. These were as elevation drawings and as 3D movies and were detailed enough to see how the space would work for us. Further adaptations resulted in a project we could not have envisaged on our own. MTA obtained planning permission and helped manage the tender process. The builders all commented on the accuracy and detailed nature of the plans. We elected not to ask MTA to project manage the build but that option was available. Honestly we can’t recommend them enough - imaginative without being whacky, respectful of the style of the property without being stuffy and lovely to work with.
Anthony Michalski
MTA were exceptional to work with. Incredibly knowledgeable, experienced and professional. Their fees were transparent and really helped moved the project along to bring it both in line with our timeframe and budget. We would highly recommend working with them and would definitely work with them again on another project.
Rachel Marshall
Michael and MTA were excellent. They thought about all the necessary details and added extras we wouldn't have thought to include. They were outstanding project mangers, working really well the with the contractors and ensuring that the contractors were on time. MTA paid real attention to detail. And of course the design is fantastic. We are absolutely thrilled with the result.
Ben Winchester
I have worked with MTA on a number of development schemes, over 10 years & we have a 100% record of achieving planning with them – Michael is well liked and respected by the planning officers, primarily down to his insistence on quality design and materials, plus importantly knowing when to compromise. His developments are ones people really want to live in….and they stand the test of time.
Tom Sherwood, Sherwood Street Ltd
Michael worked with us on a major project in 2013, on our Victorian terraced house within a conservation area. Getting approval from the council involved a very complex negotiation with the planning department which ended up taking over two years. Michael supported us through this process which was at times extremely frustrating. MTA managed the initial application, subsequent alterations, additional studies required to support the application, through to the eventual planning committee meeting. After securing planning permission MTA delivered a wonderful, detailed design for our house and then worked with us to find builders. They managed the bid/ tender process, eventually producing a detailed contract, statement of works and design specification. MTA then managed the build process end-to-end, working with the builder, building control, engineers and party wall surveyor to find a consensus to all issues that arose. The build was made very difficult with an awkward neighbour. MTA managed to diffuse all issues that came up and delivered the project on time and on budget. MTA strike an amazing balance, achieving a wonderful ascetic design, but also managing to focus on the practical and budgetary constraints of such a project. Michael is passionate about design and never compromised on his vision for our house, which is now a wonderful family home. Every day we appreciate the attention to detail be brought to the project. I would not hesitate to recommend MTA - we would never have been to able to achieve our dream house, delivered within a budget we could afford, without Michael.”
Vaughan Kingston
I recently bought a Grade II listed Georgian house in London and was looking for a local architect who could help me to prepare the planning applications for the refurbishment works. I came across Michael Trentham Architects because they had previously designed a spectacular modern basement extension for my house which blends extremely well with the original building. For this project, they also intervened in securing the planning permission and supervising the building works. Among other refurbishment works, I was looking to install double glazed windows, which was quite an ambitious task in listed building and unprecedented in our borough. With the unremitting aid of Michael Trentham Architects, our planning application for slim double glazing succeeded in appeal. Their professionalism in gaining this planning permission in challenging circumstances was utterly exemplary. Working with them was easy. They were motivated from the very beginning. The planning applications were submitted swiftly, they responded quickly to emails, paid attention to every remark, provided excellent advice and explained every of their proposals. They were confident, efficient, rigorous, and knowledgeable with local council policies. I cannot thank Michael and his team enough for the great work they have done and all the patience they have shown. It was a pleasure of working with them. I would undoubtedly use them again in the future and definitely recommend them to my friends and neighbours.
Gita Brochard
We engaged Michael Trentham Architects having looked at the redesign of a house in our street and the recommendation given by the neighbours concerned. Ours was a similar property in need of refurbishment and modernisation, but at the same time we were keen to retain some of its 1930’s character.
Michael Trentham Architects were very professional, informative and friendly throughout the entire project. They produced a design that took on board our wishes and we were given 3 costed options that allowed us to make sensible choices that took account of the budget available. They successfully negotiated with the local Planning Authorities and offered helpful advice when we had to choose between the Builders that tendered for the project.
During the building phase itself we met both Michael Trentham Architects and the Builder on site on a weekly basis and were able to discuss and resolve any unforeseen problems. Consequently we felt involved throughout, and were grateful for the overall project management undertaken by Michael Trentham Architects.
The imaginative use of space means that we now enjoy a modern open plan kitchen / dining / sitting room space and a spacious and comfortable loft conversion containing a bedroom and bathroom. The project was completed only one week over the projected time frame due to unavoidable rebuilding of a wall, and as close to the projected budget as we could have hoped for.
We are delighted with ‘our new home’ and very grateful for the work undertaken by Michael Trentham and his team. It was a pleasure working with them all. We would very happily use Michael Trentham Architects again and would certainly recommend them to anyone considering undertaking a similar project.
Simon Freeman & Ros Davies
We commissioned "Michael Trentham Architects" to undertake substantial remodelling and extension works to our home at 57 Lanercost Road, London, SW2 3DR ...an existing Victorian building which was urgently in need of a major works. Working swiftly and creatively the practice forwarded a number of options which we narrowed down over the course of several meetings to achieve a design which was both ambitious,attractive and practical. Over the course of the next year the works were undertaken and Michael Trentham monitored their progress closely ensuring a beatifully crafted finished product, with great attention to detail throughout. Months later we completed a hugely successful remodeling and reconfiguration of the existing building ,also adding the ambitious kitchen dining extension area with its cantelivered engineered elements. We were extremely pleased with the results and have received numerous compliments from friends and family who have enjoyed the space as much us. We moved from the property a little while ago and both estate agents and prospective buyers were hugely impressed by the work undertaken resulting in an effortless sale within only one weekThe whole process from initial consultation to final completion was both rewarding and enjoyable and I would thoroughly and unreservedly recommend the services of this practice to anyone considering similar works. They delivered a great service ,across the board and at a very reasonable cost.
Simon and Barbara Ann Dunning
I have been working along with MTA on various projects for the last 6 years. Great architects with experience and knowledge of different types of projects and contract types. Clear specifications and architectural drawings provide exact information to get you through project stages to final completion. I would not hesitate to recommend MTA Architecture & Design.
Lukasz Muszynski, Site Manager, MONO LTD
I have used MTA for several design and build projects and they were excellent from start to finish. They are not a large practice so it is a very personal service & nothing is too much for Michael and the team.
I would recommend them from a simple loft conversion or kitchen extension to a complete renovation project and they are very competent with liaising with the planners and managing the construction project.
They are also very fair with their fees structure and their work represents great value for money having tried out a few other inferior practices and architects before.
George Macari
Working with the MTA team meant this project ran very smoothly. They gave us an excellent design, getting planning permission was problem free and their project management was also very good. We had no major problems during the design or build process and details were sorted quickly. Budget control was excellent.
Felix Scarlett
Michael Trentham and his team have given me first class service for the design of my plans and their help to get them through planing and his dealings with the planing officers. They were always there to help me with any advice i needed, many thanks.
Ian Babb
I hired MTA to provide their services to obtain planning permission for me in a conservation area. They were transparent with their fees and scope of service. I was impressed with their service as they delivered results in the time frame discussed and we obtained planning permission without incurring any additional delays or costs. I found Michael to be professional and friendly. I would definately use their services again and would recommend to others.
Chirag Shah
As a structural engineer working on architecture led projects there are a number of things that make the project an enjoyable process for all, including the client and the contractor. These are:
An understanding of how buildings are put together and, using that understanding, proposing exciting and elegant solutions that work with the structure.
Clear concise information from the start.
A clear direction from the start with minimal deviation from the design intent post planning.
Listening and being open to other solutions were there could be a cost or programme benefit.
MTA do all of the above and it has been a pleasure to work with them on many projects over the last 15 years
Steve Haskins, Director engineersHRW
Having seen the work they had done on another house on our road we were very keen to have MTA work on our extension .They were excellent in turning our ideas into a workable plan which has given us a fabulous new living space.
We would happily use these architects again for future projects.
Alyson Whalley
MTA came up with a great design for our renovation. Worked well with the local planners to get the project approved. Good supervision of the builders. Costings were pretty accurate. Easy to get on with, good communicator and an efficient office. We have been delighted with the finished project. Would certainly use him again if we were to do another reno.
Nigel Fisher
I bought a Grade II listed Georgian house in London and was looking for a local architect who could help me to prepare the planning applications for the refurbishment works. I came across Michael Trentham Architects because they had previously designed a spectacular modern basement extension for my house which blends extremely well with the original building. For this project, they also intervened in securing the planning permission and supervising the building works.
Among other refurbishment works, I was looking to install double glazed windows, which was quite an ambitious task in listed building and unprecedented in our borough. With the unremitting aid of Michael Trentham Architects, our planning application for slim double glazing succeeded in appeal.
Their professionalism in gaining this planning permission in challenging circumstances was utterly exemplary. Working with them was easy. They were motivated from the very beginning. The planning applications were submitted swiftly, they responded quickly to emails, paid attention to every remark, provided excellent advice and explained every of their proposals. They were confident, efficient, rigorous, and knowledgeable with local council policies.
I cannot thank Michael and his team enough for the great work they have done and all the patience they have shown. It was a pleasure of working with them. I would undoubtedly use them again in the future and definitely recommend them to my friends and neighbours.
Gita Brochard
I chose MTA Architecture & Design after meeting Michael during his introductory visit to our home. He took detailed notes of everything on my “wish” list. I wanted an architect who was local, approachable, professional, and who could provide excellent architectural insight and instruction within our budget and on time. A tall ask, but Michael and his small team fulfilled the brief soundly. Michael also project managed our renovation. At each stage of the project, his communication was timely, transparent and clear. Weekly meetings on site facilitated open communication between him, myself and our contractor, ensuring that our project was completed on time, to the contracted day, and within our budget. We love our “new home”. I have already recommended MTA to our friends, who were impressed with the stylish, yet practical transformation of our home.
Nyame Roose-Farooq