We transform heritage buildings with expertise, creativity and respect, breathing new life into historic spaces while ensuring they meet the needs of current and future generations.
About Us
We are a RIBA chartered practice, transforming existing heritage buildings into inspiring workplaces and homes through expert design and thoughtful adaptation.
Our work focuses on creating sustainable, character-rich spaces within historic buildings. Our ideal clients include established property owners with heritage portfolios in Central London’s Conservation Areas and private homeowners looking to sensitively refurbish and extend their historic homes.
We are experts in adapting existing buildings to meet contemporary needs, combining deep expertise with a collaborative approach. We guide the design process with a supportive hand, ensuring a balance between creativity, practicality and meeting each clients’ unique vision.
Our Services
We offer a full range of architectural services. We can assist with a full service throughout all RIBA work stages of the project from 1-6, or a limited appointment for specific stages. We work to all budgets and styles.
Our Services
Feasibility Studies
Concept Design
Planning Applications
Conservation & Listed Building Applications
Space Planning
Interior Design
Construction Drawings and Specifications
Contract Administration during Construction
Site Visits throughout Construction
Julia Hamson, Director
RIBA Accredited Conservation Architect
Julia is a RIBA conservation accredited architect with expertise working with complex existing and listed buildings in both the workplace and residential sectors. Her approach is contemporary yet always respectful of the site and existing historic fabric. She specialises in unlocking a building’s potential through careful analysis of its strengths and weaknesses and draws inspiration from existing heritage features for new interventions, thereby ensuring a timeless response.
Julia’s past experience in the workplace sector includes delivery of numerous award winning projects including the refurbishment and extension works to the locally listed Old Postal Sorting Office which won an AJ Retrofit award, and the Crown Estate’s research initiative competition “The Office of The Future”, which was shortlisted.
She also enjoys working across a variety of scales in the workplace fit-out sector. Highlights include the 6 person home for violin auctioneers Tariso in a Grade II listed building, a flexible 20 person studio for creative font specialists Monotype and a 200+ person office fit out for international knowledge specialists Informa’s London and New York headquarters.
In the residential sector her considered and award winning designs transform the ways her clients occupy their heritage homes, creating elegant spaces where memories are made.
Julia also has a proven track record of delivering projects on site, ensuring original design intentions are realised in the final product. With a deep understanding of working with the eccentricities of historic properties she brings organisation, enthusiasm and pragmatism to every project, galvanising the design team through her collaborative approach.
Meet the team
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Tamsin graduated from the Welsh School of Architecture in 2006 with a Commendation and qualified as an Architect in 2011 after working in the leisure, residential and education sectors. Her previous architectural experience included leading the reconstruction of several large homes along a flood-prone bank of the Thames and the complete refurbishment of a set of 3 luxury flats in the Mayfair Conservation Area.
Tamsin’s attention to detail cannot be rivalled, making her a vital member of the 4SA team. Since 2023, she has been working across all RIBA stages, coordinating complex packages of works across a range of projects from sensitive residential extensions in Conservation Areas up to large Grade II listed workspaces.
Projects worked on: Secret Garden House, Ulster Terrace, Grosvenor Place, Grosvenor Street
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Francesca is a talented designer and artist from Rome, and completed her Part III at the Bartlett School of Architecture. She worked at Allies and Morrison on their conservation team, contributing to the restoration of Grade I listed building Clanton House. She volunteers as a building researcher for the National Trust and is a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), alongside having exhibited her independent work in Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and Malta. She holds a degree from the University of Bath and an MA in Architecture from the Royal College of Art in London. Her work is driven by the belief in becoming a good ancestor—preserving heritage for future generations through conservation architecture. She has been keeping busy at 4SA working on the high end re-positioning of the reception area of the ornate Grade II listed Piccadilly workspace building.
Other projects worked on: St James’s Street & Grosvenor Street
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Zuzanna grew up in Silesia, an industrial region of Southern Poland surrounded by a combination of historical, industrial, and contemporary architecture. From this exposure, she developed an interest for eclectic design solutions. She obtained her undergraduate degree at The University of Brighton, where she studied how storytelling might inform architectural experience. Completing her Part II studies at Greenwich University, she became passionate about architectural illustration and the vital role it plays in conveying architectural intentions and ideas to a client and viewer.
Zuzanna is a talented architectural assistant who has been collaborating with 4SA since 2021.
Projects worked on: Curve House, Grosvenor Place, Grosvenor Street, Belgravia Mews
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Bev has almost 20 years of experience supporting architectural and design teams of all sizes. She has a wealth of experience in providing financial, HR, premises and marketing support. Before supporting 4SA, she was a Practice Manager providing day-to-day support for all non-project related aspects of the business at a large architectural practice.
Bev has been providing administrative and marketing assistance to 4SA since 2021.
From Our commercial Clients
“4SA were highly professional and collaborative, making the process from design to detailing seamless. They understood our needs, brought fresh ideas, and delivered a design that reflected our vision and budget. Their creative approach transformed a tired building into a modern, energy-efficient workspace in the Hatton Garden Conservation Area. With their responsiveness, attention to detail, and dedication to excellence, I look forward to working with them again.”
Hatton Garden, Group Property Director
“We’ve worked with 4SA on several challenging heritage properties, including Grade II listed buildings on Pall Mall, office space at Grosvenor Place, and Ulster Terrace. Their expertise in historic buildings and commitment to quality led to innovative, consent-approved designs. Reliable and collaborative, they worked seamlessly with us and letting agents, responding quickly on site to ensure smooth progress and maximum value throughout construction.”
Stuart, Asset Manager
“4SA have led complex office refurbishments in Grade II listed buildings, delivering high standards and professionalism from concept to construction. Their attention to detail is excellent, and they respond quickly to variations. From a Project Manager’s perspective, 4SA are a great addition to any team.”
Ulster Terrace & GROSVENOR STREET, Project Manager
From Our residential Clients
“4SA expertly guided us through a complex planning process for our early 19th century home in a conservation area. They managed heritage sensitivities, trees, flood levels, ecology, and drainage to secure consent. Proactive, positive, and professional throughout, they were a pleasure to work with.”
Alasdair, Linton Conservation Area, South Cambridgeshire District Council
“4SA were an inspirational partner in planning my extension and invaluable in securing council approval. Julia thoughtfully refined my ideas into a far better vision and delivered impeccable work throughout. I’m so glad I chose 4SA—highly recommended!”
Will, Camberwell Grove Conservation Area
“We’re thrilled with our new kitchen—it’s transformed our daily life and is a joy to be in. Julia made the whole process easy with her positivity, attention to detail, and constant support. 4SA handled all planning, paperwork, and coordination seamlessly, letting us relax and enjoy the journey. We wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking a stress-free process and exceptional results.”
Nicola and Patrick, Sunnyhill Road Conservation Area, London Borough of Lambeth
“4SA did an amazing job designing our two-storey extension, making the most of the existing building and creating beautiful, functional new spaces in the Green Belt. Julia communicated clearly, offered well-presented options, and supported us through every decision.”