UK Enterprise 2017

10 WORLDWIDE BUSINESS REVIEW / UK Enterprise Awards 2017 , GOAStudio Architects is a small multi-award winning design practice that offers specialized and client-focused architectural services to individuals in London’s residential sector. We invited Chartered Architect George Omalianakis from the firm to share the techniques it employs to achieve success. Best Residential Architecture Firm - London business development for GOA, as Founder George is a specialist in architectural environmental design (Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability and Environmental Studies) and GOAStudio Architects are well placed to be at the forefront of environmental developments and projects in the residential sector as a result of expected governmental initiatives over the next few years and increased awareness of environmental matters by the wider public. Looking to the future, George and his team at GOA are keen to develop and adapt around the latest industry changes and support an even wider range of clients, as he proudly concludes. “Overall, London is characterised by a fluid property landscape with the current focus being on high end developments of private apartments and refurbishment of existing properties of historic character. This is a trend that has been underpinned by flow of capital into London and this is something we have observed through discussion with our clients. “Through our exploration of this trend, at GOA Studio we have come to believe there is scope for innovation in architecture and there is an art into always trying to look sideways and coming up with new ways to do things. As part of our continuous effort to innovate and develop our services in a unique way we have been observing and monitoring how clients reach us and the process of how an individual might approach an architect. Very often our clients are individuals that plan to or have just bought a property and they look for an architect to assist with their project. “Traditionally architects are engaged after individuals have approached estate agents and after they have already made the decision to buy the property. However, it would be much more beneficial to all involved if an architect is involved and able to advise at the early stages of this process; this is an insight based on our specialist experience with this particular sector. To support this, in the near future we are keen to launch an innovative interior design service that is custom made to individuals who wish to re-design, refurbish and revitalise high end apartments and properties. We have identified a gap in the architectural market for such services and we look to expand in this sector to take advantage of the growing demand for a specialist interior design service for this particular type of property.” Company: GOA Studio Contact: George Omalianakis Contact Email: [email protected] Address: Kemp House, 152- 160, City Road, Islington, London, EC1V 2NX, UK Phone: 0203 693 3817 Web Address: www.goastudio.co.uk Founded in in 2009, GOA was set up with the intention to provide architectural services and assist home owners with their residential projects. George discusses the firm’s service offering in more detail and outlines how the company seeks to provide clients with the very highest standards of service and support. “Here at GOA, we are specialists in obtaining difficult and seemingly impossible planning approvals for Listed Building and properties in Conservation Areas across every planning authority in London. This is a result of having carried out more than 200 residential projects across every single Borough in the area and we have expert knowledge of the planning legislation regulations of various Local Authorities. “As a result, we are able to make informed planning arguments and liaise with case officers in a way that we always maximise what is possible to be achieved in each case; we often obtain planning approvals for projects that were refused approval previously. London is home to a large variety of residential property and exceptions tend to be the rule when it comes down to what might be possible; it requires a very in depth knowledge of the legislation for a practice to have such a track record of successful applications like ours and I believe this sets us apart from other similar practices.” To set itself apart from its competitors, GOA offers a creative way to describe architecture which ensures clients get the solution they need, as George explains. “What makes us unique from our competitors is the “Alice in Wonderland effect” we try to recreate when considering long views through spaces. It is the “airport terminal effect” we try to avoid when designing living areas. It is the “cathedral effect” that makes volumes special and creates a sense of lightness. The garden is always “the stage” when trying to decide on the internal lighting levels. Our clients listen and understand the metaphors and the way we describe things; they seem to enjoy the way we talk about architecture. It is through language and a bit of magic that we manage to communicate ideas, choices and experiences. “In addition, due to the type of clients that trust us with their projects we offer a level of service that places confidentiality at the core of everything we do; privacy is a key consideration for certain individuals and our level of professionalism is something that our clients value a lot as a result.” To ensure it continues to develop and offer clients the solutions they need, the firm is keen to work with one of the industry’s recent focuses; sustainability. The recent 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris has created a very exciting path for WUK17017