A Place Where Ambition Hides Behind Brickwork
Cricklewood is one of those places that’s always changing — but never rushing. Behind the brick terraces and shopfronts, there’s a quiet architectural opportunity waiting for people who look twice.
Whether you’re turning a three-bed into five, unlocking a garden plot, or adapting a live/work space in a mixed-use block, Cricklewood has room — and rules. We’re here to navigate both.
At DOR Architects, we design with the confidence of experience and the creativity of curiosity. We work in full 3D (BIM), collaborate with contractors and planners, and design with one eye on construction from the very start.
“A client once told us, ‘Cricklewood isn’t fancy, but it’s got room to breathe.’ And that’s exactly what their side-return, loft, and rear garden studio ended up doing — giving the whole house space to exhale.”
Where We Work in Cricklewood
We help homeowners and developers across:
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Cricklewood Broadway & Shoot-Up Hill (NW2): Flat conversions, commercial-to-resi adaptations
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Mapesbury Estate & Fordwych Road (NW2): Extensions and Conservation Area improvements
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Dollis Hill, Willesden Green, and Chapter Road: Garden builds, roof extensions, and side returns
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Staples Corner & Railway-adjacent sites: Mixed-use and industrial-to-residential development
We know the quirks of Cricklewood’s architecture — from red-brick Edwardians to 1970s blockwork to the odd timber-framed anomaly tucked behind commercial units.
Planning in Cricklewood: The Essentials
Cricklewood spans three boroughs: Barnet, Brent, and Camden. Each has its own planning policy, officers, and priorities.
Key planning issues in NW2/NW6 include:
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Conservation Area rules around the Mapesbury Estate and Fordwych Road
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Subdivision restrictions on family dwellings
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Backland development resistance in rear gardens and alleyways
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Parking & access constraints near major roadways and train lines
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Permitted development limits under Article 4 directions
We advise from the outset which borough applies, what’s possible, and how to navigate planning successfully — including pre-app advice where helpful.
Why Choose DOR Architects in Cricklewood?
We don’t just design what looks good. We design what lives well, builds efficiently, and wins planning support.
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3D BIM modelling to make every decision clearer — before building starts
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Deep planning insight across Brent, Barnet and Camden
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Build-conscious design that contractors appreciate and clients can afford
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Balanced aesthetics — characterful, contextual, and never generic
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Experience across residential, mixed-use, and urban infill projects
We’re trusted by both families and property investors because we deliver both design integrity and practical delivery.
Our Process: Designed for Cricklewood’s Challenges
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Feasibility & Site Strategy
We’ll walk the site, listen, sketch, and quickly assess what’s likely to succeed. -
Planning Applications
Applications tailored to each borough’s requirements — with robust drawings, access strategies, and heritage input where needed. -
Technical Design & Tender
No vague packages. We detail everything so builders can price properly — and deliver accurately. -
Construction Oversight
From contractor queries to design reviews on site, we stay engaged — right to completion.
Let’s Build Something Better in Cricklewood
Whether you’re unlocking a backland site, reimagining your Edwardian terrace, or eyeing a smart mixed-use conversion — we’ll help you get the best out of your property.
Let’s turn your project into something truly buildable and beautiful.
FAQs – Cricklewood Architecture Questions
Often yes — especially in Conservation Areas or if the borough has removed permitted development rights (e.g. under Article 4). We’ll help you check.
Possibly. It depends on the borough, the size of units, and design standards. Camden and Brent are especially strict. We regularly assess these opportunities for developers.
Parts of Cricklewood, especially Mapesbury Estate, are in designated Conservation Areas. This affects materials, fenestration, and massing. We can help you work within or around those restrictions.
Yes. We understand the nuances of rear-of-site access, daylighting studies, and the practicalities of tight urban plots in commercial/residential zones.