Architecture + Interiors

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

How to Design a home London Architects Retrofit Extension Dulwich

Our 5 phase approach to designing your dream home - explained!

By Richard Dudzicki • February 21, 2025
At RDA Architects, we know that designing a home is a personal and transformative journey. That’s why we’ve developed a 5-phase approach to guide you seamlessly through each stage—offering clarity, structure, and confidence from start to finish. From navigating planning permissions to bringing your vision to life with site visits, 3D visualisations, and models, we ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Unlike many practices, we integrate sustainability from day one, considering embodied carbon, airtightness, and energy efficiency from the outset.

Exciting News! Connected House Shortlisted for RIBA London Awards 2025

By Richard Dudzicki • February 17, 2025
We’re delighted to share that The Connected House has been shortlisted for the RIBA London Awards 2024—a recognition that celebrates architectural excellence and innovation. Nestled in the heart of The Dulwich Estate’s conservation area, The Connected House is a prime example of how cutting-edge sustainability and technological integration can breathe new life into a mid-century home. Originally designed by Austin Vernon & Partners in the early 1960s, this home stood as a relic of its time—boasting incredible views of London’s skyline but suffering from decades of substandard modifications. 
Sustainable architects London

Celebrating 25 Years of RDA Architects: Richard's interview with the NLA

By Richard Dudzicki • January 30, 2025
Richard caught up with David Taylor, the editor of the New London Quarterly and New London Weekly covering the following topics: Celebrating 25 Years of RDA Architects At RDA Architects, we’ve always pushed the boundaries of home design, sustainability, and innovation. As we mark 25 years in business, Richard Dudzicki, our founder and a leading Passivhaus specialist, sat down with David Taylor to reflect on our journey, the future of home design, and some unexpected work environments. A Journey Through 25 Years of Architecture Since founding RDA, Richard has been dedicated to creating energy-efficient, forward-thinking homes. As one of the UK’s early adopters of Passivhaus design, RDA has championed sustainability long before it became an industry buzzword. Over the years, our team has tackled everything from ultra-modern city homes to cutting-edge eco-living spaces, constantly reimagining how people live and interact with their environment. Passivhaus: The Future of Home Design During the interview, Richard emphasized the importance of Passivhaus principles—airtight construction, high-quality insulation, and energy efficiency. With increasing energy costs and a growing awareness of our environmental impact, designing homes that work with nature rather than against it is more crucial than ever.
How to Design a home London Architects Retrofit Extension Dulwich

Our 5 phase approach to designing your dream home - explained!

By Richard Dudzicki • February 21, 2025
At RDA Architects, we know that designing a home is a personal and transformative journey. That’s why we’ve developed a 5-phase approach to guide you seamlessly through each stage—offering clarity, structure, and confidence from start to finish. From navigating planning permissions to bringing your vision to life with site visits, 3D visualisations, and models, we ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Unlike many practices, we integrate sustainability from day one, considering embodied carbon, airtightness, and energy efficiency from the outset.

Exciting News! Connected House Shortlisted for RIBA London Awards 2025

By Richard Dudzicki • February 17, 2025
We’re delighted to share that The Connected House has been shortlisted for the RIBA London Awards 2024—a recognition that celebrates architectural excellence and innovation. Nestled in the heart of The Dulwich Estate’s conservation area, The Connected House is a prime example of how cutting-edge sustainability and technological integration can breathe new life into a mid-century home. Originally designed by Austin Vernon & Partners in the early 1960s, this home stood as a relic of its time—boasting incredible views of London’s skyline but suffering from decades of substandard modifications. 
Sustainable architects London

Celebrating 25 Years of RDA Architects: Richard's interview with the NLA

By Richard Dudzicki • January 30, 2025
Richard caught up with David Taylor, the editor of the New London Quarterly and New London Weekly covering the following topics: Celebrating 25 Years of RDA Architects At RDA Architects, we’ve always pushed the boundaries of home design, sustainability, and innovation. As we mark 25 years in business, Richard Dudzicki, our founder and a leading Passivhaus specialist, sat down with David Taylor to reflect on our journey, the future of home design, and some unexpected work environments. A Journey Through 25 Years of Architecture Since founding RDA, Richard has been dedicated to creating energy-efficient, forward-thinking homes. As one of the UK’s early adopters of Passivhaus design, RDA has championed sustainability long before it became an industry buzzword. Over the years, our team has tackled everything from ultra-modern city homes to cutting-edge eco-living spaces, constantly reimagining how people live and interact with their environment. Passivhaus: The Future of Home Design During the interview, Richard emphasized the importance of Passivhaus principles—airtight construction, high-quality insulation, and energy efficiency. With increasing energy costs and a growing awareness of our environmental impact, designing homes that work with nature rather than against it is more crucial than ever.

We're Hiring! Communications Officer

By Richard Dudzicki • December 3, 2024
Communications Officer On site, 16 Forest Hill Road, SE22 0RR Part-time/24 hours a week. Start date – From 3rd January/asap. About us We are on of the UK’s leading Passivhaus architecture studios, based in South East London. Founded in 1994 by Richard Dudzicki, we specialise in sustainable practices and buildings that contribute to the health of our clients as well as the planet. We are a small to midsize firm made up of talented certified Passivhaus designers and qualified architects designing and building award-winning residential and commercial buildings across the UK. Job Summary As a Communications Officer, you will be the voice of RDA Architects, managing external and internal communications to promote our brand. This role is a vital part of RDA’s operation, and contains and lot of variety and scope for creative input. The responsibilities of this role include content creation, marketing, website management, asset design, copywriting and award application writing, and would suit a creatively minded, design-driven person who has a strong eye and is a confident writer ideally with website management experience. You don’t need to have worked in architecture before, but a passion for architecture, design and sustainability are very welcome. Responsibilities · Strategising, creating, and executing a digital marketing plan · Creating content for social media and website (stills and video) · Managing and running our Social Media accounts (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) · Asset design, branding and graphic design. · Managing our online profiles (RIBA, NLA) · Creating and sending our quarterly newsletter. · Collaborate with the team to highlight key projects and initiatives. · Monitor analytics to measure the success of campaigns and adjust strategies accordingly. · Maintain and strengthen RDA’s brand identity across all channels. · Managing our website and uploading new web content (Hosted on Duda) · Writing and submitting awards applications and managing the annual awards calendar. · Liaising with our external PR/making PR connections to maximise our projects presence in the press. Qualifications & Experience Required: 2+ years of experience in a marketing/communications role, preferably in design or a creative, related field. 2+ years of experience in Social Media and content creation. Confident in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign etc) Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Experience in CMS and website management. Experience in copy writing, producing blogs and web content driven by SEO. Experience with graphic design or photography/visual storytelling. Degree or equivalent qualification Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Preferred: Experience in PR, or established network of press connections. Experience with website design, with Duda specifically. Video editing skills (Capcut, Premiere Pro) Understanding of architectural terminology and industry trends. Experience with SEO. Experience with Google Business Suite/paid advertising. Benefits · Competitive salary based on experience · 28 days annual holiday (pro rata) · Early finish on Fridays · Employee Assistance Programme · Regular team drinks on Fridays How to Apply Please send a CV and cover letter (no longer than one side of A4) to jobs@rdauk.com . We will be in touch with any successful applicants to take the process to interview stage.
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