Renovating a Listed Building? Start with a Feasibility Study

Written By Rachel Hurley

Owning a listed property is a privilege—but it comes with complexity. If you're planning to alter or extend a heritage home, a feasibility study isn’t optional. It’s your lifeline.

StudioHA specialises in strategic feasibility studies for listed buildings—giving clients the clarity and confidence they need before engaging in design or construction. Our Clarity Package is trusted by homeowners who value sensitivity, performance, and long-term value.

The Risks: Why Listed Homes Demand Extra Caution

Working with Grade II or Grade II* listed buildings requires careful negotiation with planning officers and conservation teams. You’re not just designing—you’re preserving, adapting, and justifying every decision.

Common risks include:

  • Hidden structural or historic constraints

  • Delays in planning approvals

  • Rejection of inappropriate proposals

  • Higher costs due to specialist works

  • Emotional stress if the process goes sideways

A feasibility study helps you anticipate these challenges and plan around them—before you fall into a design dead-end.

What Our Feasibility Studies Cover

Our Clarity Package includes:

  • Planning history and conservation context

  • Building fabric analysis

  • Design potential with heritage sensitivity

  • Early discussions with local authorities (when needed)

  • Clear options showing what’s viable, valuable, and permissible

Case Study: Rosslyn, Hampstead

This elegant period property sits on the edge of a conservation area. The client wanted a calm, contemporary interior—without compromising the home’s architectural character.

Our feasibility work:

  • Mapped planning and heritage constraints

  • Proposed internal-only interventions to preserve external fabric

  • Reworked circulation and lighting for everyday ease

The result? A quiet transformation that respected the building while elevating it. No drama, no wasted energy—just clear, strategic action.

What Conservation Officers Actually Care About

In our experience, successful proposals hinge on:

  • Minimal intervention to protected fabric

  • High-quality materials and craftsmanship

  • Demonstrating respect for historic character

  • Clear design logic grounded in expert insight

Our feasibility studies set the tone for respectful, successful collaboration with conservation officers. We speak their language—so your application moves smoothly.

Make Your Listed Project a Success

→ Contact StudioHA to book your feasibility consultation
→ Learn more about our work with heritage homes

Rachel Hurley

Rachel Hurley, Founder

London-based Architect and Founder transforming complex architectural challenges into streamlined, high-performance spaces is Rachel's signature. Working with high-net-worth clients, she delivers bespoke design solutions that are as efficient as they are elegant.

Her approach is direct: understand the client's lifestyle, anticipate their unspoken needs, and create spaces that exceed expectations. Each project is a tailored response - whether a minimalist urban residence, a sophisticated country retreat, or a cutting-edge commercial space.

With a track record of successful projects for discerning clients, Rachel specializes in:

Precision spatial design

Sustainable luxury architecture

Performance-driven, value-adding architectural solutions

Time is your most valuable asset. Rachel's methodology ensures minimal client input, maximum design impact, and exceptional results that reflect your unique vision and lifestyle.

https://www.studioha.co.uk
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How a Feasibility Study Helps Shape a Smarter Design Brief