Thomas Studio Architects

The top-25 Grand Design Architect creating and making self-build homes in open countryside.

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

@TomK_Brit1993 To destroy the Labour Party in the minds of the British public making it unelectable for a generation.

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

@Keir_Starmer Resign !

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

@SBMowing Did the home owner bring you a cup of tea for your efforts?

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

@RaminNasibov Tsunami

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

Try out the AI tool to see if rural land is suitable for an “Exceptional” home in the open countryside https://t.co/BTCSNB8ntq

[TheManWhoFellToEarth @ReturnofColin2]

The optics are quite simply atrocious......

Naz Shah, who retweeted that the victims of moslem rape gangs should stay silent for the sake of diversity, cozying up with the failure that is Keir Starmer at a muhammadan event.......

UK 2026

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

@EvaLovesDesign “Ah Mr Bond we’ve been expecting you.”

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

@C20Society highlights Harrods’ Egyptian Hall dilemma—this reflects a challenge I’ve seen repeatedly in listed building consent: balancing cultural value with ethical and practical drivers. How do we decide what to keep, adapt, or remove?

[C20 Society @C20Society]

NEWS: William Mitchell’s ‘masterpiece’ Egyptian Escalator Hall (1997) at Harrods in Knightsbridge is under threat, after the department stores’ new Qatari owners applied for Listed Building Consent to rip out the Grade II* listed feature. C20 Society has written to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, strongly objecting to the plans.

One of Britain’s greatest post-war artists, William Mitchell (1925-2020) has more listed works on the national register than any other artist. The Egyptian commissions at Harrods were his last major project and he stated: ‘Without hesitation, or embarrassment, I feel I am able to call [it] my masterpiece.’ The list description for Harrods, updated in 2000 shortly after the hall was completed, explicitly refers to it as ‘the most significant of the modern concept interiors’.

Particularly controversial are several carved Pharaonic figures, with a likeness to former Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed, who is accused of raping and sexually assaulting dozens of women.

The Society is in agreement that the offending figures with a representation of Mr al Fayed should be removed, yet this should not necessitate the demolition of the entire escalator hall, a work of national artistic importance.

➡️ https://t.co/0XkJo2riT3

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

Great to see Dutch barn conversions like this from @KentDesignStudi getting planning consent. In my 20+ years, heritage constraints are often less about form and more about context—balancing reuse with rural character. What proved decisive for your approval?

[Kent Design Studio @KentDesignStudi]

Trying to ignore the terrible weather out there today and instead looking back to sunnier days on site in #Frittenden where we have just achieved planning permission for this Dutch barn.

Situated in a unique setting, permission has been granted for conversion into a 4 bed house.

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

Watching @granddesigns celebrate barn conversions, I'm reminded: real Paragraph 84(e) 'exceptional quality' isn't just visual impact—it's navigating planning, heritage, and landscape with rigour. Seen this across countless rural projects. How do you define 'exceptional'?

[granddesigns @granddesigns]

TOMORROW: We're back in Sevenoaks with Greg and Georgie who took on the ambitious task of converting a dilapidated barn.

Five years on from our last visit, Kevin returns to see their fully complete 'forever home'.

#GrandDesigns

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

Seeing @granddesigns spotlight Greg & Georgie's barn conversion reminds me: the real battle in self-builds isn't brick and timber, it's navigating planning, heritage constraints, and stakeholder expectations. Who else finds the invisible hurdles tougher than the visible ones?

[granddesigns @granddesigns]

TOMORROW: We're back in Sevenoaks with Greg and Georgie who took on the ambitious task of converting a dilapidated barn.

Five years on from our last visit, Kevin returns to see their fully complete 'forever home'.

#GrandDesigns

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

Shropshire’s planning committee building is actually quite a cool building. Such a shame they want to demolish it.

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

Grand Designs reveals what most architects won't discuss.

These projects teach us everything 🏛��

5 architectural insights from these projects:

1/ Heritage constraint turned competitive advantage https://t.co/cjwYJZbp9i

[NataliCuteeli @NataliCuteeli]

The charm of the old #cottages of the Isle of Wight, UK
🌿🏡🌿❣️
#cuteeli #NaturePhotography #art #nature #NatureBeauty #positive #homes #architecture #landscape #Art_of_photography #beautiful #villages #Isle_of_Wight #buildings #antiquity #countryside #houses #beauty #love #cute

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

If you found these insights thought-provoking, follow @thomasstudio_ 🏛️ for more quiet wisdom from the field. Which design challenge redefined your thinking on what’s possible? Like, comment, or repost to share your perspective.

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

Grand Designs reveals what most architects won't discuss.

These projects teach us everything 🏛️

5 architectural insights from these projects:

1/ The real story behind our planning system failures https://t.co/LxLnVVgQBg

[CapX @CapX]

The real 'developers' charter' is our existing broken planning system, says housing expert @AntBreach

https://t.co/BPAIbRbnSY

[Thomas Studio Architects @ThomasStudio_]

5/ Making self-build less risky—what most miss
https://t.co/s14mv26Q70

[createstreets @createstreets]

This is very good from @AntBreach on why it is so so important to encouage self-build and custom build through making the planning and design process less risky: https://t.co/Y2FsAZdkwb)