Design Advisory

An independent review of residential design decisions at the stage where they matter most.

Tell us about your project

When the plan looks right but questions remain

  • Most of the decisions that determine how a home works are made early, quickly, and without full information. They are also the hardest, and often the most expensive, to undo.

    Design Advisory tests whether a residential layout will genuinely work, and whether the decisions behind it will stand up over time.

    It is for anyone who wants an experienced, independent view before committing.

  • The focus is the plan itself, how a home functions in everyday use, from movement and storage to light and the way spaces relate to one another over time.

    The output is a set of annotated plans. These identify where:

    • A layout works well

    • Friction or inefficiency is likely to appear

    • Decisions may prove difficult or expensive to change

    Where trade-offs require explanation, written notes are included but the emphasis is always on clear, direct feedback on the plans themselves.

  • Design Advisory is most effective at early and mid-design stages, when layouts are flexible and the key decisions have yet to be fixed.

    It is commonly used to:

    • Test early layouts before planning is submitted

    • Sense-check schemes prepared by others

    • Identify risks before committing to construction

    • Clarify where effort and budget should be focused

    The aim is not to redesign your project, but to ensure the decisions being made are the right ones.

  • Design Advisory is for:

    • Those managing their own projects who want an experienced, independent view at a specific point

    • Homeowners planning significant refurbishments or new builds

    • Anyone who wants clarity before committing to a design direction

    The review covers the whole property.

  • Fees reflect the scale and complexity of the project and typically start from £1,250 + VAT.

  • To discuss your project and whether Design Advisory would be useful, please get in touch with a brief outline of where you currently are

Tell us about your project

Above and below:

Green Roof Cottages, Blackheath

Two identical houses, two contrasting design strategies.

In the first, we introduced a mezzanine level, compromising the virtue of the original architectural lines in favour of additional usable space. It sold almost immediately.

The second house retained its cleaner form but remained on the market. In response, we installed a mezzanine there as well. Once completed, it too sold quickly.

The lesson is clear: function drives value. Prioritising how a space works for everyday life will often outweigh abstract notions of architectural merit.

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Past Projects

The Park House,

Lee Park, Lewisham

Hir Barn,

Cornwall