We are founded on the principles of providing excellent, sustainable design and services. Our founder, Colin Potter, was one of the first architects in the UK to achieve PassivHaus accreditation, and is one of only a handful of architects to hold RIAS accreditation in sustainable architecture.

While small, we are incredibly well qualified and have concentrated expertise and ability in the field of sustainable architecture. We are easily able to achieve PassivHaus Low Energy Standard, as all of our designs are sustainable as standard. We generally aim for carbon zero. We consider all aspects of a build and our company practises, and are constantly striving to improve our detailing, material specifications, and build processes.

Sustainable design covers a lot of different aspects of a build. We design with our clients in mind - this means consideration of your household, lifestyle, budget and needs. We also carefully consider each site and how to optimise a build to make the most of solar gain, avoid overheating, and ensure a comfortable internal environment. Energy efficiency means lower bills and a healthy environment, too. Our designs are built with flexibility for future adaptation and using materials that are often locally sourced and are low carbon and renewable, such as timber cladding. Often, build aspects that are called ‘eco friendly’ are also inhabitant friendly - such as triple glazing that not only ensures a stable internal temperature, but also cuts down on noise and draughts, ensuring your home is a haven of peace and comfort.

We are based in Dunoon, Argyll, and most of our work is in the west of Scotland. However, we are also pleased to work throughout the UK, including in England. Projects in more remote areas may incur additional costs for some services, but we are used to working on islands and in hard to reach rural areas!

The standard appointment of an architect involves different stages, which are all detailed in a contract. You can find more info here. These are generally divided into preparatory stages, pre-construction - design and local authority consents, and on-site stages.

In a standard Architectural service, the architect makes site visits, usually monthly, to inspect works and ensure build is proceeding as it should. Our Construction Management service means we are more involved; ensuring that contractors are hired and in place, carrying out regular inspections, and overseeing budget and spend.

Yes, we can. Planning varies from area to area, and we aim to develop good relationships with local planners. We are able to advise on planning for different areas and situations.

We specialise in working with landowners on small, sustainable developments that can maximise land value.

The short answer is yes. Retrofitting is usually the most sustainable option; however it does present various challenges, depending on the existing building. It can be expensive. Sometimes a combination of retrofit and rebuilding is more cost effective. We will look at a project holistically and discuss different options, cost implications. We can also carry out SAP calculations to assess performance.

Fees vary by project, depending on different factors such as project costs, budget, and the specific services that you require. An initial meeting/consultation costs £150, which is refundable if you choose to proceed with us. After the initial meeting, we produce a fee proposal which lays out all the services you require. Once agreed, contracts are issued, and fees are invoiced on completion of set stages.

Yes, we can. We are able to discuss a package to suit different budgets, and advise on cost-saving measures. Sometimes investing in initial plans and designs can mean cost savings longterm.

If you have a question that isn’t covered here, please get in touch, and we’ll do our best to answer it!