High-End Architects in London

Award-winning practice Dominic McKenzie Architects has been based in Islington for over 10 years- working on contemporary renovations and extensions within the constraints of London’s Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings.

Dominic McKenzie Architects won ‘Best Residential’ project in the 2021 Homes and Gardens Awards.

Call us: 0203 327 4780

Email us: [email protected]

Who we are

DMA was founded in 2011 by architect Dominic McKenzie. Before setting up his own practice, Dominic gained many years of award-winning architecture experience: including the RIBA Stirling Prize winning Accordia housing project in Cambridge.

Since then the awards and recognition have continued:

  • In 2021 DMA won the ‘Best Residential’ project in the Homes and Gardens Awards for their project ‘Hampstead House’. Wallpaper* described the project: ‘At the same time an effortless flow and carefully chosen materials throughout both existing and new parts bring everything together in a coherent whole, underlining a clear sense of subtle luxury that makes this Hampstead home stand out among its peers.’
  • In 2019 DMA were recipients of the NLA ‘Don’t Move Improve’ award for ‘Best Historic Intervention’ for their project Tower House.
  • In 2016 DMA was selected for Wallpaper* magazine’s Architect’s Directory – ‘ a selection of ‘the world’s best young architectural talent’ and was included in the Architecture Foundation’s ‘New Architects 3’ book which showcases ‘the best new practices in the UK since 2005’.
  • In 2014 ’Eidolon House’ won the Sunday Times British Homes Award for ‘Best One-Off House below 2500sqft’ and was included as a feature project in the Channel 4 TV series ‘Inside Out Homes’.

Dominic McKenzie

We know London

Practice director Dominic McKenzie has lived in or near Islington for over twenty years and the architectural practice is based here. He says: “On my daily commute I bump into people I know, see some beautiful buildings, places and some interesting shops. It’s like living in a fantastic urban village – there are very few parts of London are as nice as Islington”.

  • One of our favourite Islington features is the beautiful Georgian terraces and squares – Gibson Square, Cloudesley Square, Lonsdale Square, Canonbury, The Alwynes etc. Each is slightly different (Lonsdale Square is perhaps the most different in a Gothic style) but they are all harmonious and scale up from individual houses to collectively make great neighbourhoods.
  • The Union Chapel, a spectacular Grade I listed church that was built in a ‘modernised’ Gothic revival style in the late 19th Century. Today, the Union Chapel hosts concerts and provides support to homeless people in the area.
  • 28 Canonbury Square. Located in beautiful Canonbury Square, no. 28 was famously the home of novelist George Orwell – best known for his works Nineteen Eighty Four and Animal Farm – for three years between 1944 and 1947.
  • One of our favourite Islington buildings, the Canonbury Tower preceded much of Islington – dating from between 1509 and 1532, it was built when all around it was fields.
  • In contrast with the ancient Canonbury Tower, the Hauer-King House on Douglas Street was built at the end of the C20. With a front wall built entirely from glass bricks, the house’s bold new design attracted plenty of media attention. Even to modern eyes, it remains a striking design.

What we do

An architect will see opportunities for your property and know how to go about realising them – through planning, listed building applications and then construction. Hopefully, they will create something way beyond what you had expected.

Not all architects are the same. You need an architect with a track record of working creatively within the constraints of the local area. 

DMA’s designs are contemporary and concept-led, but are always sensitive to the architectural context in which they are constructed. Our work reflects modern ways of living, while still being respectful of the historic building or setting. Each project we work on is the result of close collaboration between us and our clients

Our Process

Our process is smooth for the client while offering a world-class creative solution. If you get in touch with us we will find a time to come and see your property, and take the time to understand exactly what your vision for it is.

From the outset of the project, we work closely with our clients at every stage to agree on the fine details. When the project starts, we design, plan, visualise, draw-up and discuss the scheme with you. Once we are happy with the design approach, we present the proposals to the local authority in the form of drawings and written descriptions.

Following planning permission, or listed building consent, we develop the detailed Construction Information for a project, tender it to builders and execute the project all the way through to completion, working closely with you and other consultants, contractors throughout the process.

During construction, we follow the progress of the work, responding to queries from the site and adjusting the designs as necessary to meet site conditions. Finally, we visit the site to compile a list of snags and ensure the final build meets our design standards.

Get in touch

If you have an architecture project that you need help with, feel free to give us a call. We’d be happy to explore ideas with you and arrange a site visit.