At Horsley Townsend Architects we are a RIBA Chartered architectural practice with many years of experience working on a diverse range of projects in the North Leeds area. We specialise in a variety of architectural work, from complete house refurbishments and home extensions to house remodelling and the design of new homes. Our experience also extends beyond residential architecture to the design of retail units, offices and cultural buildings.

Whether you are considering extending your existing home, making better use of the space you already have or embarking on a completely new building project, we can help you develop your initial ideas and guide the project through the different stages of the architectural process.

Helping You Make the Most of Your Property

We understand that undertaking any building project – no matter how small – can seem like a daunting prospect. There can be a great deal to consider, from deciding what is achievable within the existing property to planning permission, Building Regulations, construction drawings and eventually finding a builder to carry out the work.

Clients living in North Leeds can relax in the knowledge that we have established our expertise by working on a diverse range of projects. These have included the renovation and restoration of Grade I and Grade II listed buildings, alongside the design of inspiring, contemporary building solutions.

Every property and every client is different. Our role is therefore not simply to produce a set of drawings, but to understand what you want to achieve and develop an architectural response appropriate to the building, its setting and the way you would like to use it.

Experience of Sensitive Sites and Locations

The areas we’ve worked in are as varied as the Yorkshire landscape and have included urban and conservation areas, Green Belt land, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Projects in sensitive locations can bring additional considerations to the design and planning process. Existing buildings, their surroundings and the character of an area can all influence the approach taken to a project. Our experience of working across these different settings enables us to consider these issues from the beginning rather than treating them as an afterthought.

The same principle applies when working with listed or historic buildings. Alterations need to be considered carefully in relation to the character and significance of the existing property, while still creating spaces that work successfully for the people who use them.

Starting Your Project

We strongly believe that an innovative, fresh approach is necessary for every project. Rather than beginning with assumptions about what your property needs, we start by listening to what you would like to achieve.

Our first step is to meet you at your property, where we can have a chat, look at the building and talk through your ideas. This is also an opportunity for you to explain what currently works – and what doesn’t – and what you would ultimately like your project to achieve.

There is no charge for this initial part of our service. Following our first meeting, we’ll send you a written quote outlining our project fees so that you can understand the proposed architectural costs before deciding whether you would like to proceed.

Our Architectural Process

We divide the way that we work into four broad stages. This gives clients a clear understanding of how a project can progress and, importantly, allows you to decide how much architectural support you require.

Stage One – Design and Planning

The first stage takes the project through to the submission of a valid planning application.

This is where the initial ideas for the property are developed into an architectural proposal. The design needs to respond not only to what you would like to achieve, but also to the existing building and its surroundings.

Once the design has reached the appropriate point, the information required for the planning application can be prepared and submitted.

Stage Two – Building Regulations

The second stage is the preparation and submission of a Building Regulations application.

Planning permission and Building Regulations perform different roles within a building project. While planning is concerned with whether a proposed development is acceptable in planning terms, Building Regulations deal with the standards that apply to the design and construction of the building.

This stage therefore develops the project beyond the planning proposal and addresses the information required for the Building Regulations application.

Stage Three – Detailed Construction Information

Stage three involves the preparation of detailed construction drawings and other relevant documentation.

These drawings develop the design in greater detail and provide information that can be used when discussing the construction of the project with builders.

Once we’ve prepared the construction drawings, they can also be used by you to obtain quotes from builders, helping you compare the cost of carrying out the proposed work before construction begins.

Stage Four – Support During Construction

Our final stage is the provision of assistance while your project is being constructed.

For many clients, reaching the building stage is exciting, but it can also raise new questions as the drawings become a physical building. Having architectural support available during this part of the process can therefore provide useful continuity between the original design work and its construction.

Choose the Level of Architectural Support You Need

We work to standard RIBA appointments, which means that our clients have the flexibility to appoint us for just one, or as many, of the stages outlined above.

You may, for example, initially require architectural services to develop your ideas and take a project through planning, or you may prefer us to remain involved as the design progresses through Building Regulations, detailed construction information and the building work itself.

This flexible approach means that the architectural service can be tailored to the requirements of your particular project rather than assuming that every client needs exactly the same level of involvement.

Talk to Us About Your North Leeds Project

If you’re considering extending, refurbishing or remodelling a property in North Leeds, building a new home or undertaking another architectural project, the first step can simply be a conversation about what you have in mind.

We can meet you at the property, discuss your ideas and look at what you are hoping to achieve. There is no charge for this initial meeting and we’ll subsequently provide a written quotation setting out our proposed fees.