Frequently Asked Questions

Despite being based in London, we work throughout the UK – predominately within the south of UK, but we have carried out projects as far north as Northumberland and Edinburgh. Further afield, we also offer an international service, in which we will partner with a local executive architect to oversee the project on site.

The short answer is yes, we probably do, but the longer answer is that whilst we have worked in many boroughs and towns throughout London and the UK over the past three decades, we have found that our wealth of experience with regional and local planning policy has enabled us to confidently work in all areas.

Whilst it might be tempting to use a local architect for the localised knowledge, we have found that this is not necessary, and in fact can be limiting to the design of a project. We have successfully built projects in the North of England and have a network of consultants and builders who also work nationally and internationally.

We enjoy having a range of scales within the studio at any one time. We typically have a mix of new build, renovation and extension projects on at any one time. Our smaller projects are usually around £750k of construction work (excluding VAT) and our larger projects are upwards of £10m.

Fees vary for each project we take on, depending on its scale, scope and complexity. The amount we charge depends on the level of service required and the stages we work on throughout the process. We are experienced at providing fees that cover for the right level of service to deliver high quality homes. Learn more about our fees here.

We tend to offer both a percentage fee (based on the construction value) can work well if the project’s brief is less defined and the scope of our service is involved in all phases of the design and build. Alternatively, we often offer fixed fees for each stage of work that we are needed for. Learn more about our fees here.

Fees tend to vary due to the level of service provided. Although two architects might work to the same RIBA stages (which have a defined scope), fees can often vary significantly due to the amount of design time that architects expect to give to the project. High quality bespoke homes are time-consuming in their design and require care and attention to detail throughout. Learn more about our fees here.

From the initial sketch design stage to the house being ready to move into is a journey that can span months or even years. We discuss the expected timescales with our clients from the outset – and understand that some projects need to move faster for particular reasons. We can help determine which decisions affect the timescale of the project and which are out of everyone’s control. Learn more about our process here.

We have a great deal of experience with planning departments and a track-record of gaining permissions for contemporary architecture, both inside and outside London. We also have good relationships with specialist planning consultants should they be needed.

Yes we do. We can either provide full interior design services or work with your chosen interior designer. We are comfortable doing both and will always ensure that the architecture and interiors are holistically considered together. When providing interior design services, work with other designers and craftsmen to detail the whole interior. We can also specify furniture, fittings and equipment (FF&E).

Yes, we absolutely can. We have successfully completed numerous projects where we have worked directly with a client’s interior designers. We can ensure that the building’s construction allows for all the right details and junctions for the interior to be installed exactly as designed.

Whilst all our houses are contemporary in nature, we have certainly designed ‘traditional’ looking houses and work with historic architecture on many of our homes. Even if a new-build house is traditional looking on the exterior, it can still offer all of the comforts of a modern contemporary home on the interior and with its connection to the landscape design.

We can certainly discuss your requirements for a site and have a network of contacts that we can potentially use to help locate the perfect site.

Every project in the studio is run by one of our Senior Architects, alongside Gregory Phillips, who is involved in all projects. The senior architect will work on the project from its concept through to completion, with the help of architects and architectural assistants as needed.

Yes, we work with a trusted network of high-quality builders and can recommend contractors who we have worked with on many projects previously. Great builders are difficult to come by, and it is a crucial step for a successful project.

Whilst value can mean different things to different people, we can help you ascertain checks against the benchmarks that the value is being reviewed against. For example, whether it be costs of the project (with the aid of a Quantity Surveyor), Planning permission or the quality of the design and build of the project.

Yes we use 3D modelling on every project in our studio. It is a crucial tool for us to design and convey our ideas to you as the client. We present images from our 3D model and use it as a tool to design the architecture and interiors.

The way we present 3D designs to you will depend slightly on the project itself. Depending on whether we are doing architecture and interiors and which stage the project is on. We will convey our ideas in 3D images and then show more realistic images if appropriate once the design is more fixed.

Yes, we are registered with the RIBA as a Chartered practice which means we are part of one the most respected professional bodies in the industry. It also means we have a commitment to the professional best practice standards that are set out by the RIBA, which is invaluable to our clients.

We consider this for all projects, regardless of size. Whether we are designing a new build or updates to a historic building we will discuss the best approach for reducing energy consumption and which technologies to heat or cool the home. We also use the expertise of specialist consultants who will help design the mechanical, electrical and water installations in detail.

We are a studio that focus solely on private homes and have vast experience in understanding how people want their homes to be. We have a good understanding of what works well, and what does not. We celebrate contemporary design, but it is often mixed with characterful traditional architecture.

No, we use many different wall cladding systems. Timber, render, flint stone, metal and glass are just some of the examples we have used on various completed projects. We enjoy using brickwork for its aesthetics, buildability and longevity.

We are a studio that tends design function over form. All projects must be practical and livable to be successful. We work hard to ensure that practical designs can still be beautiful and provide joy.

For the majority of our projects, we are fully involved from conception to completion. This is through our Process Stages 1-7, which are based on the RIBA Plan of Work. Please refer our process page for more information on each stage and why it is important.