Explore our architectural services
"Will people actually enjoy living here?". That's the key question we ask, whether it's stylish apartments, carefully planned co-living spaces, or HMOs. It’s also why we work with homeowners, landowners, and developers who want more than just bricks and mortar. Think aesthetics balanced with functionality. Character with practicality. Where morning coffee spots get the perfect light, gathering spaces feel naturally inviting—and residents never struggle with storage for the hoover.
The 'JSA' Way
We follow the RIBA Plan of Work, but we’ve streamlined it to suit you. Red tape stays firmly behind the scenes, so you get a clear process that delivers results, not headaches.
Stage 01
Preparation
Before we design anything, we dig deep into your site, your goals, and how you want things to work. This is where we figure out what’s possible—and what might get in the way—so we’re not tripping over surprises later. Because the boring stuff done right makes the exciting stuff even better.
Here, we answer questions like:
- What are the limits and opportunities of your site?
- What planning policies are in play?
- What do we need to do now to avoid problems later?
Stage 02
Concept Design
Your design takes its first steps.
We sketch, test, and explore different directions, balancing ambition with practicality, and throwing in the odd wildcard where it counts. We focus on big-picture stuff like flow, light, form, and shape a space that works for you now, and long into the future.
Here, we answer questions like:
- How do we make the best use of this space?
- How many buildings or apartments can we fit on this site?
- How do we add character, without adding cost?
- What's the most effective way to build this?
- How do we make the most of light and views?
Pre-Application Advice
The UK planning system can feel like a moving target. If it makes sense for your project, we can test the waters with a pre-app submission so we know where things stand before going in all guns blazing.
This step can save time, budget, and the pain of having to start over later.
Stage 03
Design Development
With the concept agreed, we start locking in the details. Plans, elevations, layouts—all refined, tested, and built out digitally so you can see exactly how things will come together. Want to see it in 3D? We’ll create stunning visuals that help you or your stakeholders see exactly how the finished space will look.
We answer questions like:
- Should the oven go here, or over there?
- Should the meeting room face the light, or face the door?
- Would moving the staircase here create a better first impression?
- Is that awkward corner hiding potential
After fine-tuning every detail to make sure it’s practical, beautiful, and fits your budget, we draft clear design statements to prepare for a strong application. Because how you present something is sometimes as important as what you present.
Planning Permission
A huge milestone for any project. When it’s time to go in for approval, we handle the lot - drawings, forms, statements, and coordination with your local authority. You’ll know what’s happening and when, without having to chase updates.
Stage 04a
Building Regulations
This is where we get technical.
We produce the detailed information needed to prove your project meets all legal and performance requirements, from structural integrity to insulation, drainage, ventilation and fire safety.
It’s what turns good design into a buildable reality (and keeps building control happy).
Key deliverables:
- Full building regulations package
- Technical strategies for ventilation, drainage, and fire safety
- Detailed specifications for materials and systems
- Coordination with engineers and specialists
Stage 04b
Tender
Think of this as 'enhanced' building regulations drawings, with an extra layer of detail so builders can accurately price and plan the job.
From specifying finishes and materials to detailing lighting layouts and socket positions, we go beyond what building control needs to cover everything your builder cares about. This means fewer surprises on-site and a smoother construction process.
Key deliverables:
- Technical drawings with construction-level detail
- Fixture, finish, and material specifications
- Lighting, power, and socket layouts
Stage 05
Construction
This is where the magic happens.
We stay hands-on throughout your build, coordinating with contractors, keeping everything on track, and stepping in early when something’s heading off-course. In short, we sweat the small stuff so you don't have to—making the process as smooth as the finished result.
Key Deliverables:
- Site inspections and reporting
- Contractor coordination
- Project management (optional)
- On hand support and advice
Need more than just Architectural Design?
Interior Design
The most satisfying spaces are rich, expressive, and enjoyable. That’s why we banish boring and instead bring personality to functionality, match materials with mood, and add a spark of the unexpected. No cookie-cutter solutions. Just your style, refined and made real.
Planning
Planning permission shouldn’t have to break your brain, or your bank balance. With our 97% success rate and strong relationships with councils across the Midlands, we navigate even the trickiest planning situations so your project moves forward with confidence.
Project Management
Big or small, every project has a lot of moving parts. Our project management service brings calm to the chaos, making sure your build happens on time, on budget, and exactly as you imagined.
3D Visualisation
No more squinting at plans wondering "will this actually work?". Our 3D visualisation service lets you explore spaces, refine details, and show ideas in ways flat drawings simply can't match.
