We are committed to the quality design of all buildings, encouragement in the use of sustainable materials, and promotion of energy efficiency.

Why use an architect?

We can provide you with a service extending well beyond producing a set of drawings for your new home. Whether you want to convert the loft, build an extension or construct your ideal home from scratch, an architect could be an important part of your plans/dreams. Tradition or innovation, boldness or understatement an architect can lift your project out of the ordinary and help translate your thoughts to achieve more than you might have originally thought. Anyone can alter a building – why not use somebody who can do it with flair, imagination and style?

We are all accustomed to spending money on design when it comes to our cars, so why compromise on your home which is probably the most expensive thing you’ll ever buy. Building a house is either for life or as a step on the property ladder and either way its best to get it right first time round. We can help you achieve your very own Grand Design.

Not only can we provide value for money but also attention to detail will achieve value through the most efficient use of space, careful selection of materials, energy efficiency, and low running and maintenance costs which can all bring extra benefits to your project. It is becoming more expensive to build in Shetland and inefficient plans with wasted floor space are unnecessary. Save a few square metres of inefficient floor space through good design and it could pay for the services of your Architect. That is what we are good at.

Sustainable design is becoming increasingly important, energy costs are increasing and ‘zero carbon’ houses will become the norm within the next 20 years. We think ahead about all these things. Good design is quite literally added value.

What will it cost me to use an architect?

Architects fees can be based on a percentage of the total construction cost, on time expended, or a lump sum. You can select all or part of an architect’s service, from an initial design discussion through to the final delivery of the project on site. The fee will reflect the degree of personal service and bespoke design that your project involves.

What an architect can do for you:

We will help you decide what you want from your project, endeavour to interpret your ideas imaginatively and work with you to develop a design that will maximise your investment, be economic to build and run and of course bring you years of comfort and pleasure – a house can be for life if it is designed to adapt to your changing needs. We will help you take advantage of the site to make best use of its natural features such as aspect and views.

We have the experience to see your project safely through to completion overseeing the design, making you aware of and obtaining all the approvals that will be needed from the local authority for planning and building regulations, and arranging the builders to do the work.

What to ask your architect at your first meeting:

What experience do you have of designing my type of building?
Can I go and have a look at some examples and speak to the people living in the house or using the building?

A bit about design:

We should be at the forefront of designing the built environment that will surround us in the 21st Century. As professionals in the field of building design and construction, architects use their unique creative skills to advise individuals, property owners and developers, community groups, local authorities and commercial organisations on the design and construction of new buildings and the re-use of existing buildings and the spaces which surround them.

Our professional approach:

Before anyone can be called an architect he or she will have completed a seven-year course in the design, specification and erection of buildings. All practicing architects are required by law to carry Professional Indemnity Insurance and are governed by the Architects Registration Board’s code of conduct.