RDA Office Transformation

History of the RDA Office

The development of East Dulwich

East Dulwich was developed fairly rapidly in the late 1800s. The area was transformed from fields and market gardens to housing aimed at a largely middle-class market. Managed by a specialist development company, its success was dependent on the availability of public transport into London.


Our studio is situated between two historic estates. The area between Wood Vale, Barry Road and Lordship Lane was part of Friern Manor Farm, a large dairy farm. The area to the west, bounded by Lordship Lane, Barry Road and East Dulwich Road was part of the Bower-Smith estate.


History of the RDA Office

The development of East Dulwich

East Dulwich was developed fairly rapidly in the late 1800s. The area was transformed from fields and market gardens to housing aimed at a largely middle-class market. Managed by a specialist development company, its success was dependent on the availability of public transport into London.


Our studio is situated between two historic estates. The area between Wood Vale, Barry Road and Lordship Lane was part of Friern Manor Farm, a large dairy farm. The area to the west, bounded by Lordship Lane, Barry Road and East Dulwich Road was part of the Bower-Smith estate.


Peckham Rye, London


16 Forest Hill Road: a history of baking and confectionery

  • 1891 census: Owned by Alfred & Lena Lotinga. Alfred was a ship broker, Lena ran the bakery with her 7 sons and 1 servant (they also had a daughter)
  • 1901 census: Owned by Edward & Eliza Tew. Had 4 children & 2 servants
  • 1911 census: Owned by Harry & Mary Ann Petry. Had 2 children and 1 servant
  • 1939 Register: Still a bakery! Owned by Charles and Annie Lelicore


Our current studio has undergone many transformations in its lifetime. From a bakery in the 1880s, to a dental surgery and now an architectural studio. We were keen to reflect the buildings history when renovating and Victorian photographs allowed us to sensitively design a timber shopfront that reflects the buildings past whilst fitting seamlessly into its current surroundings.


 During the build, a larger basement was constructed incorporating a kitchen, WC, and shower room, encouraging staff to cycle in. A surprise discovery was a Victorian bakers’ oven. After an archaeological investigation the oven was exposed and a small office created leaving the original vaulted brick ceiling uncovered. The rest of the building underwent an equally dramatic transformation.

The front of the shop has been designed to be a flexible space; movable furniture allows the area to be used as a meeting room, gallery or yoga studio. Skylights were added to allow for a greater degree of light to be thrown into the basement whilst Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery systems were installed to improve the air quality. The internal environment is monitored for C02, particulate matters, volatile compounds and general pollution, allowing us to ensure that our workplace is healthy and comfortable.


 The furniture throughout is intentionally simple and functional and, although designed on a budget, forms a stunning part of the office. Our new studio framed by the original shopfront contributes to the transformation of the streetscape and thus helping to regenerate this previously forgotten area of East Dulwich.

Recent Blogs

NLA Coffee conversation: What are the opportunities for housing on constrained sites?

By Richard Dudzicki • March 10, 2026
On 25 March, Richard will be speaking at NLA’s Coffee Conversation about how London’s most constrained and overlooked sites can play a role in addressing both the housing crisis and the climate emergency. Across the city, small and fragmented plots are often dismissed as too difficult to develop. Backland sites, former garages and leftover spaces within established neighbourhoods are frequently overlooked by conventional development models. Yet collectively they represent a significant and largely untapped opportunity.

Passivhaus Trust - The Old Timberyard: Deep Retrofit, Honest Lessons, Lasting Performance

By Richard Dudzicki • March 3, 2026
There is a particular responsibility that comes with working on an existing building. The Old Timberyard , a former Victorian workshop, offered the opportunity to demonstrate how careful retrofit can honour heritage whilst delivering genuine long-term performance. Behind its retained brickwork and historic fabric sits a carefully executed EnerPHit upgrade. This was not about surface improvements, but a rigorous, fabric-first transformation, reworking a cold, underperforming structure into a comfortable, resilient and low-energy building fit for contemporary use.

Technical Briefing: Passive House Retrofit and Reuse Webinar

By Richard Dudzicki • March 3, 2026
Three weeks ago, Heather Faulding and I had the pleasure of presenting at the NLA’s technical briefing on Retrofit and Reuse a CPD-certified webinar on low-energy & high-performance buildings. It was a fantastic session spotlighting some of the most innovative retrofit work. Heather shared her incredible project for Daily Paper in New York: a powerful example of creative reuse, transforming a crumbling structure using over 7,500 soda cans crafted by local communities. The shimmering façade reflected not only light but the heritage of African beadwork a story of culture and circularity woven into architecture.

NLA Coffee conversation: What are the opportunities for housing on constrained sites?

By Richard Dudzicki • March 10, 2026
On 25 March, Richard will be speaking at NLA’s Coffee Conversation about how London’s most constrained and overlooked sites can play a role in addressing both the housing crisis and the climate emergency. Across the city, small and fragmented plots are often dismissed as too difficult to develop. Backland sites, former garages and leftover spaces within established neighbourhoods are frequently overlooked by conventional development models. Yet collectively they represent a significant and largely untapped opportunity.

Passivhaus Trust - The Old Timberyard: Deep Retrofit, Honest Lessons, Lasting Performance

By Richard Dudzicki • March 3, 2026
There is a particular responsibility that comes with working on an existing building. The Old Timberyard , a former Victorian workshop, offered the opportunity to demonstrate how careful retrofit can honour heritage whilst delivering genuine long-term performance. Behind its retained brickwork and historic fabric sits a carefully executed EnerPHit upgrade. This was not about surface improvements, but a rigorous, fabric-first transformation, reworking a cold, underperforming structure into a comfortable, resilient and low-energy building fit for contemporary use.

Technical Briefing: Passive House Retrofit and Reuse Webinar

By Richard Dudzicki • March 3, 2026
Three weeks ago, Heather Faulding and I had the pleasure of presenting at the NLA’s technical briefing on Retrofit and Reuse a CPD-certified webinar on low-energy & high-performance buildings. It was a fantastic session spotlighting some of the most innovative retrofit work. Heather shared her incredible project for Daily Paper in New York: a powerful example of creative reuse, transforming a crumbling structure using over 7,500 soda cans crafted by local communities. The shimmering façade reflected not only light but the heritage of African beadwork a story of culture and circularity woven into architecture.

What To Do Before Approaching An Architect: Project Planning Pack Explained

By Richard Dudzicki • February 13, 2026
We’re excited to share our refined Project Planning Pack, designed to support anyone preparing to embark on a design or building project. Planning ahead is one of the most important steps in ensuring a successful project . This clear, easy-to-follow resource helps you reduce risk , improve your design outcomes, and gain a better understanding of costs and the architect’s role in the process. It also introduces core design principles and provides tools to assess where you’re at before you begin, giving you confidence in every decision. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner, an experienced developer, or simply exploring ideas for a renovation or new build, this pack is an essential companion for your project journey. What’s included: • A structured framework to plan and organise your project • Guidance on core design principles • Insights into costs and the architect’s role • Tools to assess your project readiness We’ve refined this pack to be practical, user-friendly, and aligned with real-world architectural practice. Our goal is to give you clarity, reduce uncertainty, and make the design process as smooth as possible . Access the full Project Planning Pack here: