Work with me

Bringing clarity, care, and common sense to your historic building project

Working with me is about more than just securing consents or drawing up plans. It’s about helping you understand your building and making thoughtful decisions that stand the test of time. Whether you’re a vicar with a leaking church roof or a homeowner trying to balance heritage with everyday life, I’m here to help you feel confident and supported.

What working together looks like

I don’t do cookie-cutter projects. Every building is different, and every client is too. That’s why I begin by understanding what really matters to you. What are your priorities, your pressures, your hopes for the future of the building?

Then I bring all my experience, curiosity and care to help you move from uncertainty to clarity. I dig deep to get to the heart of the problem, and I’ll be honest about what you need, what you don’t and what to expect along the way.

Sometimes that means acting as a strategic guide early on; sometimes I stay involved from beginning to end. Either way, I’ll help you make good decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

I believe historic buildings only survive when they’re lived in, loved and adapted with care. I’m not just here to patch up the cracks, I’m here to help you leave a legacy.

Working with architects and design teams

Many architecture practices don’t have in-house conservation expertise and that’s a valuable service I can provide. I regularly join project teams to bring my specialist knowledge of historic buildings to the table. I enjoy collaborating, working alongside others and helping the whole team deliver something thoughtful, practical and respectful of the building’s heritage.

Whether the project is large or small, I’m here to be part of the conversation and bring that extra layer of care and attention to detail that older buildings need.

Working locally (and going where it matters)

I’m based in South West London and have strong roots here. It’s a place I know well, and there’s huge value in being close to the buildings I work on. I limit most projects to around 1–1.5 hours from home, because that’s better for me and for you. It means I can be responsive, involved and efficient with my time on site.

That said, I’ll always make an exception for the right project. If it’s something special (a brilliant team, a beautiful building, or an exciting challenge) I’m open to travelling a bit further.

Testimonials

‘Sarah helped us navigate the process of renovating a listed Georgian terrace. She balanced sensitivity to the building, creativity, and pragmatism. We remain very happy with the result years later.’ - E and O, Clerkenwell.

‘Sarah was an invaluable member of the team in applying for listed building consent. Her initial heritage assessment and insight allowed us to refine the scheme for application, ensuring adequate consideration of relevant historic features whilst still meeting the client’s brief. The rigorous heritage statement she prepared for submission furthered the credibility of our design and helped us to form a compelling and informed application. Sarah has remained involved as we have progressed to detailed design, offering crucial advice on appropriate conservation and restoration methods. Her comprehensive knowledge allows her to be both practical and creative, which is a joy to collaborate with, and we look forward to the next project together.’ - Studio Carver.