Building in Camden Is Always Personal

Camden is never quiet. It hums. With heritage, culture, energy and architectural possibility.

Whether you’re opening up a Victorian townhouse in Kentish Town, inserting a new-build behind a mews, or developing a tight infill site near Mornington Crescent, Camden rewards careful, thoughtful design. But it also expects you to get the paperwork right — and that’s where we come in.

At DOR Architects, we design buildings that stand the test of time and scrutiny. We work in 3D from the outset, engage with planners early, and understand what’s likely to win support — from neighbours and officers alike.

We blend a strong visual identity with deep planning know-how. Whether you’re a private homeowner or a creative developer, we help you bring your ambitions to life in NW1, NW5 and NW3.

“One of our first Camden projects began with a single sketch in a kitchen. The client wanted a ‘simple renovation.’ It turned into a full refurbishment including cinema and artist’s studio. That’s Camden for you — simple rarely stays that way.”

Where We Work in Camden

We’ve helped clients throughout the borough, including:

  • Camden Town (NW1): Residential conversions, creative reuse, mews infill

  • Kentish Town (NW5): Victorian terraced extensions, basements, rooftop builds

  • Belsize Park & Gospel Oak (NW3): Conservation-sensitive refurbishments

  • Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill: Luxury refurbishments and façade retention

  • Holborn, Somers Town, Bloomsbury: Developer-led schemes and mixed-use plots

We also work in and around Camden’s unique housing estates, such as Alexandra & Ainsworth, where innovation must sit alongside sensitivity.

See other areas we work in

Planning in Camden: What You Need to Know

Planning in Camden is strict but navigable — with the right strategy. It involves:

  • Conservation Areas across much of the borough, especially NW3 and NW5

  • Article 4 Directions restricting permitted development rights

  • Tight urban context requiring careful massing and privacy strategies

  • Neighbour consultation & heritage statements as routine requirements

We’re familiar with Camden Council’s planning language, from pre-app tone to detailed application formatting. We also understand how to manage party wall matters, access constraints, and daylight/sunlight assessments — all essential for central sites.

Visit Camden's Planning Portal

Why Choose DOR Architects for Camden?

DOR is different. We don’t do templates — we do tailored architecture. And in a place like Camden, that matters.

  • Design that balances flair and restraint — ideal for sensitive, character-rich locations

  • BIM-led 3D design to resolve issues before they reach the site

  • Robust planning experience with Camden Council

  • On-site coordination and cost-aware detailing

  • Experience across private homes, cultural venues, and developer briefs

We’re architects who care how things feel — but we also know how they get built.

Our Process, Camden-Style

  1. Discovery & Feasibility
    We understand your site’s limits and potential — before a line is drawn.

  2. Planning Strategy
    We shape your vision into a planning narrative, managing stakeholders and council sensitivities from day one.

  3. Technical Design
    Every drawing is clear, coordinated, and ready for tender — not left vague for your builder to guess.

  4. On-Site Support
    We attend meetings, solve problems, and guide decisions so your design holds firm — all the way to handover.

How we can help

Let’s Talk About Your Camden Project

Whether it’s a quiet reinvention of your home in NW5, or a high-value infill project off Camden Road, we’d love to help.

Tell us about your goals — we’ll help you shape them into architecture that matters.

Start your project?
* This page is intended for general guidance and does not constitute professional advice. Always consult a qualified architect or planner before making design or development decisions.

FAQs – Camden Architecture Questions Answered

Yes, but it depends on your street, building style, and the impact on neighbours. We regularly help clients secure approvals in NW1, NW5 and NW3.

It depends on unit size, access, outlook, and amenity space. Camden has strict space standards and design expectations — but we can advise on viability from the outset.

In many cases, no — Article 4 Directions remove permitted development rights in large parts of the borough. Always check or get advice before starting.

Absolutely. We love working on community, cultural or leisure buildings, especially where identity and use overlap. Camden is full of that energy.

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