ECA studio

Autumn always feels like a fresh start, and this year it has been a busy one.

I have not posted much on Instagram recently because we have been working on several exciting projects behind the scenes.

One of them is a new roof extension in Parsons Green. While reviewing the design and the structural options, I was reminded of a project I completed almost ten years ago where we removed the entire roof of a semi detached house to rebuild it properly and extend it.

Most of the time, the simplest and most effective way to improve the layout at the top of a house is to increase the headroom in the existing space under the eaves. Better height means better proportions, more natural light and rooms that feel comfortable and usable every day.

Stay tuned to find out what we have been up to. I cannot wait to share more 🤩

This corner exists because of a neighbour’s window.

What started as a planning constraint — the need to step back the extension to avoid blocking light to the neighbour’s side extension — became the starting point for one of the project’s key details.

We explored several options through sketches, testing how much openness the corner could have and how the change in volume would read from both inside and out. What could have felt like a compromise turned into a subtle but distinctive feature that gives the extension its character.

Swipe through to see how the idea evolved from the first studies to the finished space.

From vision to finished home: our 3-stage process

Every renovation comes with hundreds of moving parts — design decisions, regulations, timings, and countless details that need to come together in the right order.

At ECA Studio, we’ve refined our process into three simple stages, so you always know what’s happening and what comes next. We guide each step to keep the journey clear, efficient, and enjoyable from start to finish.

Because a well-designed home isn’t just about the final look — it’s about a journey that’s seamless, structured, and handled with care.

💬 We’d love to be part of your journey, get in touch!

A secret door, hiding in plain sight

What looks like a continuous wall of joinery is more than meets the eye. One of these panels isn’t just storage — it’s a perfectly disguised door leading to a separate loo.

In this master suite, we matched every detail so the door blends seamlessly with the bespoke joinery, which also conceals laundry baskets and fresh towels. Step inside, and the same attention to detail continues, with a walnut cupboard recessed into the wall and open shelves above the toilet to keep everything practical yet beautifully styled.

Because good design is about making the functional feel invisible, and the everyday feel special.

Our first double-storey design stayed on paper — will the next become reality?

While we’re working on a complete reconfiguration and double-storey rear extension in RBKC, we’re reminiscing about this much-loved design that never saw its life.

This project was conceived as a sculptural concrete and glass addition, flooding the home with natural light and framing garden views in a way the original Victorian structure couldn’t. Its bold geometry contrasted with the warmth of the brickwork, creating a dialogue between past and present at the heart of the design.

Not every project gets built, but each one shapes the way we approach the next.

How do you capture what a home feels like?

Trying to show what a well-designed space feels like in a photo is like trying to describe a really good hug through a text message. You just have to be there to get it.

Good design isn’t about what you see — it’s about how you move through a space, how the light shifts throughout the day, and how the layout just makes sense without you even noticing.

We spend hours obsessing over the tiny details that make a space feel effortless. But can we capture that in a single photo? Probably not. But we’ll keep trying.

💬 Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt at ease? Bonus points if you can say why.

From Two Garages to a Bold Three-Bedroom Home

By now you probably know we’re a bit obsessed with garage plot transformations and but this one outshines them all.

It’s yet another reminder that good architects can create excellent homes, even on plots most would dismiss. Councils should be doing more to encourage this kind of development. After all, most of these garages no longer fit modern cars — but they could be making a real contribution to the city’s housing.

🖐 Hi five to for showing how it’s done.

We’re also thrilled to know this house will be open during Open House London this year — and we cannot wait to step inside and experience the space firsthand.

Before & After: A Small Change, a Huge Difference ✨

Having a big room doesn’t always mean having a spacious one, where the space truly works for you.

In this project, the lightwell and wall once cut the house in two, separating the kitchen from the living area and leaving valuable space unused.

By opening it up and making the lightwell part of the house, we unlocked a bright, flowing layout where every square metre works smarter. Now, from the front living room, you can see all the way to the garden: no barriers, just space, light, and connection.

Swipe to see the difference.

Cooking while facing the wall or facing your guests?

For our clients, the answer was easy — they love entertaining and wanted to stay part of the conversation while cooking.

That’s why we placed the hob in the island instead of against the wall, pairing it with a Bora downdraft system that’s extremely powerful and silent, keeping the air clear without a bulky overhead extractor blocking the view.

This simple layout choice means they can chop, stir, and season while looking out to friends at the table or family perched at the island, rather than turning their back.

Design is never just about where things fit. It’s about how you want to live in the space every day.