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Barry Stirland

Design journal

Q&A with Barry Stirland – Rider Stirland Architects

Written by
Mel Perrson

Barry Stirland, Director at Rider Stirland Architects, shares how he transformed a Thames-side warehouse into a calm, light-filled home, and why radiator planning from day one, including where radiators are placed and how they sit within the wider architecture, made all the difference.

Can you tell us about the overall design vision for the Thameside Warehouse Apartment, and what the key priorities were when reworking the space?

“Our aim was to retain the character of the existing warehouse while introducing a more cohesive interior, creating a series of connected spaces that feel calm and considered. A key move was to bring more light into the plan and frame views towards the river, with new elements integrated alongside the industrial structure”.

Open plan modern kitchen island and exposed concrete with white vertical column radiator

Open plan living space with vertical column radiator

This project involved transforming an existing warehouse apartment, how did the building’s industrial character influence your approach to layout and spatial flow?

“A key driver was to retain the open-plan feel of the apartment, and to create a direct view into the main living space on arrival. The concrete structural columns were retained and expressed in their raw form, becoming part of the architecture and helping to define different zones within the space without introducing enclosure”.

What were some of the biggest design challenges you encountered when adapting the existing structure, and how did you overcome them?

“One of the more complex aspects was reconciling fire safety requirements with the desire for an open-plan layout. Standard solutions would have introduced compartmentation, so we developed a strategy using fire-rated glazing to maintain openness while achieving compliance. Alongside this, integrating modern services within a tightly constrained floor-to-ceiling zone required careful coordination”.

White vertical column radiator on exposed brick wall with floor to ceiling curtains

Vertical column radiator in office

At what stage of a project like this do you typically begin to consider heating and radiator planning?

“We consider heating at the concept design stage, alongside the development of the layout. It’s important that elements like radiators or cooling systems are thought about from the outset, so they can be integrated into the joinery and overall architecture rather than applied later”.

Grey horizontal column radiator in open plan modern blond apartment

Horizontal column radiator in hallway

When deciding on layout, what key factors guide where to put a radiator within a room?

“There’s always a balance between performance and how the space is used. We think about heat distribution and proximity to glazing, but also how the radiator sits within the wider composition of the room, so it feels intentional rather than incidental”.

What impact can radiator positioning have on how a space feels and functions in open-plan or loft-style homes like this?

“In open-plan or loft-style homes, positioning can have a significant impact. Poorly considered radiators can interrupt sightlines or restrict how the space is arranged, whereas well-integrated solutions tend to recede into the background and allow the architecture to read more clearly”.

What was your experience working with The Radiator Centre on this project, and how did they support you?

“The Radiator Centre provided clear technical guidance and a well-considered range of products, helping to coordinate the heating with the wider design. They were also good communicators, which made the process straightforward”.

 

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Gold towel rail above bath in beige tiled bathroom

Towel rail in gold

What advice would you give to homeowners renovating characterful spaces when it comes to balancing practical requirements like radiators with the overall design of the home?

“I’d always suggest thinking about heating as part of the overall design from the beginning. When it’s considered early, it can be integrated more naturally into the space, often within joinery or architectural elements, rather than appearing as something added later. It also allows the choice of radiator to sit comfortably with the wider material and aesthetic decisions”.

About Rider Stirland Architects

Barry Stirland is a Director at Rider Stirland Architects, a practice known for thoughtful, detail-led residential and commercial work. Their approach puts the technical and the beautiful on equal footing, working through everything from spatial flow to radiator layout so nothing feels like an afterthought. Find out more at riderstirland.com.

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