I Have an Idea, but Need Direction
Share your ambitions, site address and budget. We can discuss the design work you need and whether early planning advice would help before you commit to detailed drawings.
Architectural Design
Bring Your Ideas to Life With Planning By Design
Architectural drawings, visualisation and planning expertise for homeowners, businesses and developers.
From a home extension to a new-build or commercial development, Planning By Design helps you turn your brief into a considered design. Our architectural team works alongside our town planners to connect the way your project looks and functions with the planning route it needs.
What Do You Need Help With?
Start with the stage your project has reached. We will help you identify the right scope.
I Am Ready to Develop My Design
Tell us whether you need plans for an application, visualisations to explore the design, or technical information for the next stage. Send any existing drawings and previous council correspondence.
Chartered Architects
Experienced architectural expertise.
Planning + Design
Architects and town planners working together.
National Coverage
Support for projects across the UK.
Residential & Commercial
Design tailored to your project brief.
Architectural Drawings & Visualisation
Choose the information and level of detail your project needs.
2D Architect Drawings
Accurate scale drawings communicate the existing property and proposed design. Your package can include floor plans, elevations, site location plans, block plans, sections, street scenes and visibility splays, according to the project.
We identify the drawings needed for your brief and application, rather than assuming every project needs the same set.
3D Architect Drawings
Explore the form, scale and layout of your proposal in three dimensions. A 3D view can make relationships between spaces and buildings easier to understand than a plan alone.
Use it to review design options and communicate your proposal before moving to the next stage.
3D Renders
Photorealistic visualisations help you explore materials, lighting and the overall appearance of a proposed space or building.
They support design discussions and presentations, helping you make informed choices while changes are still easier to consider.
Interior Design
Plan interiors around how you want to live or work. Our service can bring together space planning, layouts, finishes, furniture and detailed specifications within your agreed brief.
2D drawings, 3D views and renders can help you understand the scheme and how its individual elements work together.
Design for Homes, Businesses & Larger Developments
The design approach should reflect your site, intended use and ambitions.
Residential Developments
Architectural design for extensions, loft and garage conversions, porches, new homes and wider residential schemes. We work with your brief to balance space, appearance and everyday practicality.
Explore examples of extensions, loft conversions and new homes in our portfolio.
Commercial Developments
Design support for offices, retail, hospitality, conversions and mixed-use developments. We consider how the space needs to function alongside its appearance and project requirements.
Our town planners can coordinate the planning strategy with the architectural proposal where instructed.
Urban Design
For larger sites and regeneration projects, the relationship between buildings, streets and public spaces matters as much as each individual building.
Our team considers movement, infrastructure, landscape and the wider setting when developing the design.
BIM Modelling
Building Information Modelling brings project geometry and information together in a digital model. It can support coordination between design disciplines and help identify clashes before construction.
The model detail, information requirements and specialist inputs are agreed for your project.
What Will Your Architectural Design Package Include?
Know what is included before you proceed.
Your quotation should identify the drawing stages, revision scope, specialist input and any services or fees that are separate.
Connect Your Design With the Right Planning Route
Consider the planning position early, so it can inform the design.
Pre-Planning Advice
A Planning Appraisal can help identify relevant policies, planning history, constraints and the likely route before detailed design.
Planning Permission
Where an application is needed, architectural drawings and planning support can be coordinated as part of the agreed service.
Permitted Development
Explore whether your proposal may qualify. The property, design and applicable conditions need to be considered together.
Planning Appraisal effectively becomes FREE if you proceed with any further Planning By Design service.
The appraisal fee is deducted from your quote/invoice, including if you proceed with drawings only.
How Our Architectural Design Service Works
A clear sequence from your first idea to a design you understand.
Share Your Brief
Tell us about the site, your objectives, preferred style and budget. Share photos, existing plans and any previous advice.
Agree the Scope
We discuss the design services, available site information and any early planning input needed, then confirm the agreed work in your quotation.
Develop the Design
Our architectural team develops the agreed drawings or visualisations, taking your brief and relevant project constraints into account.
Review & Refine
Review the proposal with us and discuss amendments within the agreed scope before the drawings are finalised for their intended use.
Progress the Next Stage
Where instructed, we coordinate planning support or discuss the technical design and specialist information needed before construction.
Architectural Design Timescales & Costs
How Long Will It Take?
The programme depends on the size of the project, the drawings or models required, the information available and the number of design revisions.
We will discuss a realistic programme for your scope. Allow time for your review and any specialist input; council assessment, where needed, is a separate stage.
Working to a deadline? Tell us at the outset so we can discuss what is achievable.
How Much Will It Cost?
Fees depend on the services and level of detail you need, from a set of 2D drawings to visualisations or a wider design package.
Use our Cost Calculator as a starting point, then discuss a quotation that identifies the agreed work and any separate application fees or specialist services.
Price Match Guarantee: our quotations are backed by a guarantee on genuine like-for-like quotes.
Planning Drawings Are One Stage of the Project
Make sure the information you commission matches the stage you are preparing for.
Building Regulations
Technical drawings and specifications address a different purpose from planning drawings. Discuss the Building Regulations information needed for your project and whether it is included in your quotation.
Structural Engineering
Structural calculations and details may be needed for elements such as beams, openings, roofs or foundations. This work should be coordinated with the architectural design where required.
A planning drawing or visualisation should not be treated as a complete construction package. Confirm the technical information and approvals needed for your project before building.
Architectural Design Example: Floor Plans, Elevations & 3D Views
Explore how floor plans, elevations and 3D views work together to communicate the design of a new home on a sloping site.
This five-page example brings together 3D views, elevations and floor plans for a proposed home. Start with the 3D views, then explore the elevations and internal layouts. The PDF contains architectural drawings only; planning statements and reports are not included. These drawings are not a Building Regulations or construction package.
The information and level of detail required for your own project will depend on its design, scope and stage.
Explore Architectural Design in Practice
See how our design ideas come together in a real project.
Interior Design Case Study
G&A House — Interior Design
A calm, natural home designed around everyday life.
Explore a whole-home scheme bringing together space planning, room elevations, furniture and finishes, bespoke storage and a detailed specification.
Looking for a different type of project? Explore our garage conversions, porches, extensions and new homes.
Why Choose Planning By Design?
Chartered Architectural Expertise
Our team includes Chartered Architects and architectural designers with experience across residential and commercial projects.
Planning and Design Together
Architects and town planners can work together to keep your design and planning strategy coordinated.
Your Brief at the Centre
The design starts with what you want to achieve, how the space needs to work and your project priorities.
A Range of Design Services
Access 2D drawings, 3D visualisation, interior design, urban design and BIM modelling according to your needs.
Real Project Examples
Explore our drawings and project portfolio to understand the range of work we support.
Transparent Scope and Pricing
Agree the services you are commissioning, with our Price Match Guarantee on genuine like-for-like quotations.
Architectural Design FAQs
What are architectural design services?
Architectural design turns your requirements into a proposal for a building or space. Depending on your brief, it can include layouts, plans and elevations, visualisations, interior design and separately agreed technical design.
What is the difference between 2D drawings, 3D drawings and renders?
2D drawings show information such as plans, elevations and sections. 3D drawings help explain the form and relationship of spaces. Renders present the design with a more realistic impression of materials and lighting. Each has a different purpose; your project may not need all three.
What types of architectural design models are there?
Models may be used to explore an early concept, develop and coordinate a design, or present a proposal. The right format and level of detail depend on the task, rather than every project following one fixed set of model types.
What are the phases of architectural design?
A typical sequence begins with the brief and available site information, followed by concept development, review and refinement. Planning and technical design stages depend on the project and the services commissioned. Construction-stage services should be confirmed separately.
Can you help if I already have drawings?
Yes. Send the drawings and explain who prepared them, their intended purpose and what you need next. We can discuss whether further design or planning support is needed and what can be used within the agreed scope.
Can you provide planning support as well as the design?
Yes. Our architectural team can work alongside our town planners. Your quotation will confirm whether planning advice, supporting documents or application management are included. Planning approval cannot be guaranteed.
Are planning drawings enough for my builder?
Confirm what information your builder needs for the specific work. Planning drawings focus on the proposal for planning purposes; technical specifications, Building Regulations information and structural details may also be needed.
Do you work on residential and commercial projects?
Yes. Our services cover home improvements, new homes, commercial developments and larger schemes. Share your project brief so we can discuss the relevant design support.
What should I send for my first consultation?
Send the site address, a short description of your plans, photos, any existing drawings and relevant council correspondence. Let us know your budget and preferred timescale where available.
Related Planning Services
Latest News & FAQs
Planning updates, guidance and answers from Planning By Design.
Let’s Talk About Your Architectural Design Project
Tell us what you want to create. We will help you identify the design services and next steps suited to your project.
