MWA+D Maxwell Ward Architecture and Design

Home
United Kingdom
Epsom
MWA+D Maxwell Ward Architecture and Design

Call Directions Website Contact the business

MWA+D is a RIBA-chartered architectural practice based in Epsom, Surrey. MWA+D was founded by Maxwell Ward, an ARB-registered architect since 2005.

09/10/2026

Exciting news! MWA+D is proud to be partnering with Hackit Design on the opportunity to restore and revive Ladywell Playtower.

We are delighted to be involved in this exciting opportunity to help shape the future of this much-loved local landmark, building on the ideas and vision presented by Hackit Design CIC, one of four organisations shortlisted by Lewisham Council

At this stage, the proposals are concepts and ideas, with much work still to be done. Our role, should the project progress, would be to help develop and refine Hackit Design’s vision into a considered, deliverable design that respects the Playtower’s heritage while exploring its potential as an inclusive, accessible and community-focused space.

We believe this project has enormous potential to bring new life to an important local building and create a place that serves the community for generations to come and we look forward to the possibility of contributing our architectural experience to this incredible project as it develops.

From now until 9am on Monday 16 November, the Council is asking the
community for their views on the four proposals.

Have your say by completing the online survey by visiting https://engage.zencity.io/london-borough-of-lewisham/en-GB/projects/ladywell-playtower/updates/hackit-design-cic-ladywell-playtower

Attend the consultation drop in event
Find out more about our proposal and meet the team at an upcoming drop in session on Thursday 15 October, anytime between 3pm and 8pm, at St Mary's Centre, Ladywell Road, London SE13 7UW.

An exciting opportunity to reimagine a local landmark, celebrate its heritage and explore what the future could hold for Ladywell Playtower.

13/07/2026

A project where site constraints, sustainability ambitions and material reuse have become opportunities for design.

22/06/2026

Working with a landlocked site and a very narrow access route, the design has been shaped by the constraints of its context from the outset. Daylight, overlooking and privacy have been key drivers, informing both the massing and the carefully crafted brick façades.

The existing site currently contains 12 brick-built garages. Following a survey of the structures, we estimate that approximately 12,000 bricks can be carefully salvaged and reused within the new development where feasible. This approach not only helps reduce construction waste and embodied carbon but also offsets project costs through the reuse of materials already on site.

The house and workshop, arranged around a private courtyard, are accommodated within a single-storey building featuring a carefully considered sloping roof profile. The design maximises the pe*******on of natural daylight deep into the interior while maintaining privacy from neighbouring properties. Responding directly to the constraints of the site, the roof form brings abundant natural light into the living spaces without creating overlooking concerns, ensuring a bright, comfortable and private environment throughout the home.

Perforated brick screens filter light, provide privacy, and create depth and texture across the elevations, while helping the building sit comfortably within its tight urban setting.

A project where site constraints, sustainability ambitions and material reuse have become opportunities for design.

27/05/2026

What a lovely day for a swim, but unfortunately, the Sky Pool is not open to the general public.

17/05/2026

We have been approached by a client to carry out a feasibility study for a potential small project (9.5m x 12m) at the rear of a long garden in West London.

The proposed feasibility study will examine the possibility of creating a small one-bedroom dwelling at the end of the client’s garden, with separate access to one side of the existing garden. The client’s goal is to downsize from their larger house but does not want to sell it.

There is already precedent on two adjacent properties for this type of development, with small dwellings that include basements accommodating several bedrooms served by lightwells.

As part of the feasibility process, we are also examining the potential use of a landlocked site to the left-hand side of the client’s garden, which is currently heavily overgrown with several mature trees. Due to the nature of this landlocked site—surrounded by gardens with many large mature trees—previous attempts to purchase the land for redevelopment have been unsuccessful, as tree protection zones would leave little space for any type of dwelling.

The intention of the feasibility study is to review the possibility of creating a small dwelling at the end of the client’s garden and incorporating the adjacent land to form a new garden for the proposed dwelling. No development would take place within the new garden due to the presence of mature trees. The client enjoys the “meadow” and “wild” qualities of the landlocked garden.

The intention is to create a low-level building clad in wood, oriented towards the new mature garden, with living spaces positioned to maximise views of it. The internal layout aims to optimise views onto the mature garden through a diagonal alignment, with a concealed external lightwell/courtyard serving the private bedroom.

The feasibility studies is also examining the possibility that the neighbouring land may not become available, and instead the option of creating a small basement, similar to those in the adjacent properties, is also being considered.

Hopefully the project is deemed viable as we would love to build it.

22/04/2026

To take advantage of the lovely weather last weekend, we decided to head to Margate to enjoy the sandy beach, some fish and chips, and a visit to the Turner Contemporary designed by David Chipperfield .

During my architectural degree in the late 1990s, our final project in Year 2 was to design a Turner art gallery on the very site where the Turner Contemporary now stands. As a result, I have maintained a long-standing interest in the building.

Perched right on the edge of the seafront at the end of the main boardwalk, the Turner Contemporary is a quiet yet powerful piece of architecture. The gallery is composed of a series of simple pitched-roof volumes, which read as a cluster of soft, angular forms. The exterior is wrapped in translucent, acid-etched glass that diffuses light rather than reflecting it sharply.

Inside, the approach remains consistent. The gallery spaces are open and evenly lit from above, creating neutral conditions for displaying art. The interiors are minimal, with little visual distraction, aside from glimpses of the North Sea visible from the main lobby and in the transitions between galleries.

The building is slightly elevated on a plinth, giving it a clear sense of definition without overwhelming the shoreline. Overall, the Turner Contemporary is shaped by its context—light, weather, and location—without relying on overt architectural gestures.

19/04/2026

✨ New Contemporary Extension by MWA+D ✨
Our latest project reimagines the ground floor of a 1930s suburban home. Rather than contrast the original building, we took cues from its existing architecture—most notably the iconic three-sided bay windows. The new extension echoes their geometry, projecting into the garden with a striking, full-height glazed form angled at 30 degrees.

This reinterpretation reinstates the presence of the original bay while celebrating it in a bold, modern way.

—

16/04/2026

We spent a wonderful weekend in Rome, enjoying great food, long walks, and incredible architecture. On a quiet Sunday morning, we took a short tram ride from Piazza del Popolo to visit the Auditorium Parco della Musica, designed by Renzo Piano.

Completed in 2002, the complex comprises three striking, sculptural concert halls arranged around a central open-air amphitheatre known as the Cavea—together forming a true “city of music.” Each hall is conceived as a distinct acoustic shell, carefully optimised for sound, yet visually unified by dark lead cladding, often likened to beetles or tortoises.

During construction, ancient Roman ruins were discovered and thoughtfully integrated into the design, now visible beneath walkways and throughout the public spaces. This blends of past and present gives the project its unique character.

More than just a performance venue, the complex functions as a vibrant public space where contemporary architecture, archaeology, and music come together.

15/04/2026

If you're dreaming about a new home, planning a renovation, or simply looking for inspiration, we’d love to chat. Bring your ideas, plans, sketches-or just your vision- and let’s talk about how we can bring it to life.

Come and see us at Stand A20 at Grand Designs Live, Excel London between 1–4 May 2026.

Plus, we have free tickets available to claim – send us a message to get yours!

You can also use our exclusive promo code to claim two complimentarty tickets to the show - just go to the link
🔗 https://gdllondon.seetickets.com/tour/grand-designs-live-excel?OfferCode=130771

We look forward to seeing you there!
Stand A20!

🎟️ Claim your free tickets and come say hello!

.mccloud1

13/04/2026

A modern interior characterised by dramatic geometry, natural light, and minimalist aesthetics. The sharply angled ceiling that converges toward a large skylight, flooding the space with daylight and emphasizing the sculptural quality of the roof form. The white surfaces amplify the diffuse light, creating a serene, contemplative atmosphere. The combination of light, form, and minimal ornamentation reflects a refined modernist approach—where geometry and natural illumination become the primary design elements defining the space’s character.

Address

35a Worple Road
Epsom
KT187AA

Telephone

+447786547794

Website

http://www.mw-ad.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MWA+D Maxwell Ward Architecture and Design posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to MWA+D Maxwell Ward Architecture and Design:

Want your business to be the top-listed contractor in Epsom?