Host Architecture is a design-led architecture and interiors practice based in South West London, focused on creating thoughtful buildings and spaces that add lasting value for every client.
Led by Director James Gunn, we work across;
retrofit and
conservation projects
Our work is careful, practical and personal, shaped around the people who will use each building and the wider context it sits within.
We are a small, experienced studio, which allows us to be responsive and closely involved at every stage. Clients work directly with the people leading the design, while we draw on a trusted network of consultants, specialists and contractors to suit the needs of each project.
Adding value through design
Good design should do more than make a building look better. It should help a property work harder, feel better and respond more intelligently to the needs of the people using it.
At Host, we focus on adding value at every stage of a project. That might mean unlocking more space, improving natural light, making a layout work more efficiently, upgrading environmental performance, strengthening a planning case or helping a commercial client create a space that better reflects their brand.
Our role is to see the wider potential of a building or site, then guide the project with clear thinking, careful design and practical judgement.
Based in Wandsworth, we work regularly across Wimbledon, Wimbledon Village, Southfields, Putney, Barnes, Merton, Wandsworth, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Surrey, Hampshire and the wider South of England.
A personal, director-led approach
Every Host project is led by James Gunn, giving clients a direct relationship with the person responsible for the design and overall direction of the project.
We keep the process open, structured and collaborative. We listen carefully, communicate clearly and help clients make informed decisions as the project develops.
We use 3D design on almost every project, helping clients, consultants and contractors understand the proposals from an early stage. This makes the design easier to discuss, test and refine, reducing uncertainty before work begins on site.
Residential and commercial architecture
Host works across both private residential and commercial projects.
For homeowners, we design extensions, refurbishments, retrofits, reconfigurations, loft conversions and new-build homes. Many of our residential projects involve improving light, space, flow and comfort, while making careful decisions about cost, planning, buildability and long-term value.
For commercial clients, we work on boutique offices, hospitality, retail and workplace projects where design quality, brand identity, programme and budget need to be carefully balanced. We understand that commercial spaces need to look good, work well and support the business behind them.
Across both sectors, our approach is the same: careful listening, strong design, clear communication and close attention to detail.
Sustainable design and retrofit
Sustainability is an important part of our work, particularly where existing buildings can be adapted, upgraded and reused.
We are interested in practical, achievable ways to reduce environmental impact. This may include improving insulation, reducing heat loss, making better use of existing materials, considering embodied carbon and designing buildings that are robust, efficient and long lasting.
James has completed AECB-accredited training in Passivhaus principles, allowing Host to provide early-stage guidance on low-energy design, fabric-first thinking, ventilation, airtightness and overall building performance.
Our aim is to make sustainable design part of the project from the outset, rather than treating it as an add-on later.
Small studio, broad experience
Host was founded by James Gunn, an ARB registered architect and RIBA Chartered Architect.
Before establishing Host in 2021, James worked at respected London practices including LTS Architects and WilkinsonEyre, where he rose to Associate level. His experience spans private homes, commercial spaces, cultural buildings and complex larger-scale projects, with construction values ranging from modest residential works to schemes of up to £65 million.
This background allows Host to offer the care and directness of a small studio, supported by the technical understanding and professional standards developed through larger and more complex projects.
Host is also supported by in-house expertise in graphic and interior design, bringing additional strength in presentation, materials, interiors and visual communication.
Conservation and sensitive sites
Many of our projects involve existing buildings, conservation areas, locally listed buildings or listed buildings.
The Host team has undertaken SPAB-accredited RIBA conservation training and has experience working alongside specialist heritage architects and advisors on sensitive historic projects.
We understand that successful conservation work requires judgement. The aim is to respect the character and significance of a building while making careful, well-informed changes that allow it to continue to be used and enjoyed.
This experience is particularly relevant to our work in areas such as Wimbledon Village, Wandsworth, Putney, Barnes, Kensington & Chelsea and other sensitive London settings.