Design Advisory

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

Tell us about your project

When a layout looks right, but needs proving

  • Major design decisions are often made early, when information is incomplete and changes are cheap. The consequences of these decisions can last for decades.

    Design Advisory is a senior, experience-led review of an entire residential unit, using the Coburn Method to test whether the layout will genuinely work for the people who will live there and whether the decisions made support long-term value.

    It is intended for homeowners and developers seeking clear, practical guidance before committing to a design direction.

  • The focus of Design Advisory is the plan itself.

    Coburn reviews the layout as a whole, examining how a home will function day-to-day: movement, storage, light, zoning, and how spaces relate to one another over time.

    The primary output is a set of annotated plans, highlighting:

    • Where layouts support everyday life well

    • Where friction, compromise or inefficiency is likely to appear

    • Decisions that will be difficult or expensive to undo later

    • Opportunities to simplify, strengthen or clarify the arrangement of spaces

    Annotations are concise and practical, focused on priorities rather than cosmetic changes.

    Where helpful, written notes are included to explain intent or trade-offs, but the emphasis remains on clear, visual feedback directly on the plans.

  • Design Advisory is most effective at early and mid-design stages, when layouts are still flexible and decisions carry leverage.

    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 always to redesign the project, but to help you make better-informed decisions with confidence.

  • Design Advisory is suited to:

    • Homeowners planning substantial refurbishments or new builds

    • Small developers assessing layouts or schemes

    • Clients who want independent, experience-led input on a live project

    Reviews are carried out on a whole-unit basis only.

  • Design Advisory is priced to reflect the time and level of focus required to review and annotate plans properly.

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

  • If you would like to explore whether Design Advisory is appropriate for your project, please get in touch with a brief outline of what you’re working on and the current stage of design.

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