Architect in Berkshire
When searching for an Architect in Berkshire, quality service at a fair price is not always easy to come by. That’s exactly why we travel to Berkshire and throughout England.
On this page, you’ll discover the answers to what, why, and how. We’ve also created a straightforward, step-by-step guide to help you choose the right designer for your project—so you can make the most of your collaboration and clearly understand what to expect.
We make it our business to inspect and advise on properties that need attention—whether homes or commercial buildings—helping clients understand what’s possible and what’s practical. Our design work covers everything from extensions to complete properties, detailed right down to manufacturing level, always guided by our Principal Designer expertise. We don’t turn that knowledge off between services—so you benefit in full. Want to talk about your project? Click the button below to contact your Designer in Berkshire.
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WHAT IS AN ARCHITECT?
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"ARCHITECT" IS A PROTECTED NAME AND ONLY PEOPLE REGISTERED WITH THE ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION BOARD CAN LEGALLY USE IT. TO REGISTER YOU NEED TO HAVE APPROVED EDUCATION AND PASS APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL EXAMS TO GET THERE. ARCHITECT USUALLY WILL WANT YOU TO KNOW IT TAKES ROUGHLY 7 YEARS TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER AS AN ARCHITECT.
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NOW YOU WILL FIND HOUSE DESIGNERS, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNERS, LIVING SPACE DESIGNERS, RESIDENTIAL DESIGNERS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS, EXTENSION DESIGNERS, LOFT DESIGNERS AND MANY MORE ITERATIONS OF THESE, ALL AROUND THE PLACE. YOU WILL ALSO FIND ALL THE OTHER ARCHITECTS FROM OTHER PROFESSIONS COUNTING AS SUCH, LIKE SOFTWARE ARCHITECTS, BUSINESS ARCHITECTS ETC. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE "ARCHITECT" IS A PROTECTED NAME WITHIN BUILDING ENVIRONMENT BUT ANYONE CAN PROVIDE THE SERVICE.
THERE ARE SOME INSTITUTIONS WORTH NOTING
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THE ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION BOARD (ARB) - A STATUTORY INSTITUTION, THAT REGISTERS ARCHITECTS. THE INSTITUTE IS PUT IN PLACE TO REGULATE ARCHITECTS BUT IT DOES NOT REGULATE THE PROFESSION SO ANYONE ELSE CAN DO THE ARCHITECTS JOB.
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ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS (RIBA) - AN INSTITUTE FOR ARCHITECTS WHO WANT TO STAY ABREAST WITH THE PROFESSION AND SHOW THEY ARE SHARING THE VALUES AND CODES OF THESE REGISTERED.
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CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST (CIAT) - AN INSTITUTE FOR ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST MEANING PEOPLE WHO DO THE HARD GRAFT OF DEFINING DESIGNS IN MORE DETAIL. IT IS FOR DESIGNERS WHO SEEK RECOGNITION OF THEIR WORK, WANT TO STAY ABREAST WITH THE PROFESSION AND SHOW THEY ARE SHARING THE VALUES AND CODES OF THESE REGISTERED.
IN THEORY AN ARCHITECT SHOULD BE ALL THAT YOU CARE ABOUT BUT THIS IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE AND THE TRAGEDY OF GRENFELL TOWER WHERE 72 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES SHOWED WE CANNOT EVEN TRUST ARCHITECTS.
THE NEW LEGISLATION CALLED THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT CHANGES THIS AND YOU MUST SEEK AN APPOINTMENT OF A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER OR TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUILDING DESIGN ON YOURSELF RISKING YEARS OF YOUR LIFE BEHIND BARS SHOULD THINGS GO THE WRONG WAY.
WE ARE PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS AND WE DO NOT SHY AWAY FROM RESPONSIBILITY BUT WHEN YOU APPOINT YOUR ARCHITECT OR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO YOUR DESIGNS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY ASK THEM IF THEY CAN BE PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS IF NOT JUST DO NOT USE THEIR SERVICES AS IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO PICK SUCH DESIGN UP WHEN IT MOVES FORWARD.
NOW PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS CAN QUIT YOUR PROJECT IF IT IS NOT COORDINATED WELL AND YOU WILL END UP WITH A DESIGN THAT NO ONE MAY LIKE TO TAKE OVER SO IT PAYS TO KEEP OPEN COMMUNICATION LINES BETWEEN EVERYONE INVOLVED. IT IS IMPORTANT AS YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION FROM THE BUILDING CONTROL WITHOUT ONE ONBOARD.
THE INDUSTRY DURING THE LAST 40 YEARS FORGOT THAT CONSTRUCTION IS NOT ABOUT JUST GOING THROUGH THE HOOPS OF LEGISLATION BUT MAKING SURE BUILDINGS ARE SAFE!
WE ARE HERE TO ASSURE THAT THEY ARE!
PRINCIPAL DESIGNER MAKES SURE YOUR PROJECT MEETS THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND COORDINATES THE DESIGN WORK AND SPECIFICATION OF OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT. LIKE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, FIRE ENGINEERS, SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS, MAIN CONTRACTOR, MAKING SURE THAT ALL THESE DESIGNS ARE COORDINATED AND SAFE FOR THE BUILDING'S OCCUPATION.
DEPENDING WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU BUILD AND AT WHAT STAGE OF THE PROJECT DEFINITION YOU APPROACH THE MARKET YOU MAY NEED TO LOOK AT IT FROM A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
WHEN YOU ARE A HOMEOWNER OR DO A PROJECT NOT FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES YOU ARE CALLED A DOMESTIC CLIENT:
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THE LEGISLATION ATTEMPTS TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE WORD GO SO WHOEVER TAKES ON THE DESIGN WORK THAT IS TO BE BUILD BECOMES YOUR PRINCIPAL DESIGNER BY DEFAULT AND SAME HAPPENS TO THE CONTRACTOR WHO IS CONSIDERED A PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR
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MIND YOU "THE DESIGN WORK THAT IS TO BE BUILD" - COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGES, CONCEPT DRAWINGS, PLANNING DRAWINGS, TENDER DRAWINGS AND ANYTHING WITH THE WORD "DRAFT" OR "NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION" OR "PRELIMINARY" IS NOT THE DESIGN WORK THAT IS TO BE BUILD. IT USED TO BE THE CASE SINCE BETWEEN 1984 AND 2024 BUT IT IS NO MORE.
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IT MAY BE TEMPTING TO GO WITH A BUSINESS OR AN INDIVIDUAL DESIGNER WHO CAN DRAW A BUILDING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION ONLY, PRELIMINARY DRAWINGS OR FOR A TENDER PURPOSES ONLY - IT IS OFTEN CHEAPER AND QUICKER THAN EMPLOYING A PROPER PRINCIPAL DESIGNER AT THE START OF YOUR PROJECT - WELL, ON THE FACE OF IT ONLY!
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THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS WHY TRYING TO AVOID A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR PROJECT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA:
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YOU DO NOT NEED ONE TO GET PLANNING BUT YOU DO NEED ONE TO GET A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION FROM THE BUILDING CONTROL.
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THE PLANNING DRAWINGS ARE OFTEN THE RESULTS OF YOUR DESIRE AND THE DRAWING SKILL OF THE SAID DESIGNER HOWEVER THEY SHOULD BE ALSO SIFTED THROUGH A FILTER OF VIABILITY AND FEASIBILITY IN TERMS OF YOUR BUDGET, BUILDING REGULATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION SAFETY. PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS OFTEN FOLLOW A WELL LAID DOWN PROCESS CALLED RIBA PLAN OF WORK AND THE PLANNING PERMISSION SHOULD BE DONE AT STAGE 3. FROM WHAT WE CAN SEE SUCH ARE OFTEN THE RESULT OF STAGE 1 OUTCOME.
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IF YOUR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER, ARCHITECT OR ENGINEER CANNOT FILL THE BOOTS OF A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER - WHICH MAY BE THE CASE THE LAW REQUIRES HIM/HER TO BE COMPETENT TO UNDERTAKE SUCH COMMISSIONS - YOU WILL BE LEFT TO LOOK FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN.
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IF YOU FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL BE WILLING TO STEP INTO THE BOOTS OF A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER IT WILL LIKELY MEAN REDOING THE WORK OF THE PREVIOUS DRAFTER TO ASSURE ALL PARTS PLAY WELL AND CAN BE BUILD MEETING BUILDING REGULATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION SAFETY. IF IT CANNOT YOU WILL BE GOING BACK TO SQUARE ONE, POSSIBLY REQUIRING TO REAPPLY FOR A NEW PLANNING PERMISSION OR AT LEAST AN AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING ONE.
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THE RISK IS YOUR TO TAKE - THERE IS NO REWARD.
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WHEN YOU DO A PROJECT AS A BUSINESS, THINK THIS:
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ALL RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURS UNLESS YOU APPOINT COMPETENT PEOPLE TO DESIGN AND COORDINATE YOUR WORK.
- LOOK ABOVE FOR TYPICAL PERILS OF TRYING TO PLAY THE SYSTEM, PLUS CONSIDER 2 YEARS IN PRISON SHOULD YOU SIGN IT ALL OFF BY YOURSELF AND YOU ARE PROSECUTED FOR FAILING TO MEET THE OBLIGATIONS OF A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER.
- WHEN YOU DO A PROJECT THAT IS A HIGHER RISK BUILDING THERE WILL BE NO PLAYING THE SYSTEM AND YOU WILL NEED TO PROVE ALL IS WELL AT GATEWAY 1, 2 AND 3 BEFORE YOUR BUILDING CAN BE USED.
WHY DO I NEED A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER?
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THE HOW BEHIND THE WORK OF A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER?
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IN BRITAIN WE OPERATE A 7 STAGE FRAMEWORK OF PROJECT DEFINITION AND AT EVERY STAGE YOU MAY EXPECT DIFFERENT SCOPES OF POSSIBILITIES FOR THE INVOLVEMENT OF A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER. IT PAYS GREAT DIVIDENDS TO HAVE US INVOLVED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE BUT THAT OFTEN IS NOT THE CASE NEARLY ALWAYS LEADING TO WASTE AND HEADS-ON COLLISION WITH THE VIABILITY AND FEASABILITY OF THE PROJECT.
STAGE 0 - STRATEGIC DEFINITION - WE HELP TO DETERMINE INITIAL FEASIBILITY AND VIABILITY
STAGE 1 - PREPARATION AND BRIEF - WE HELP TO DEVELOP THE INITIAL FEASIBILITY AND VIABILITY
STAGE 2 - CONCEPT DESIGN - WE DO AN INITIAL DESIGN FOR FURTHER EVALUATION
STAGE 3 - SPATIAL COORDINATION - WE HELP TO MAKE SURE THE DESIGN CAN BE DELIVERED UNDER PLANNING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS. WE SUBMIT A PLANNING APPLICATION.
STAGE 4 - TECHNICAL DESIGN - WE DEVELOP THE PROJECT TO THE LEVEL ENABLING CONSTRUCTION AND APPLY FOR A FULL PLANS APPROVAL WITH THE REGISTERED BUILDING CONTROL APPROVER.
STAGE 5 - MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION - QUALITY ASSURANCE, CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE, DOCUMENTATION.
STAGE 6 - HANDOVER - POST PRACTICAL COMPLETION EVALUATION AND DOCUMENTATION
STAGE 7 - USE - RESEARCH INTO THE PROJECT DATA, LESSONS LEARNT AND DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE
WE RECOMMEND TO APPROACH THE PROCESS HOLISTICALLY. YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE STAGES IN OUR PODCAST AND BLOG.
SIMPLE APPROACH TO
THE PRINCIPAL DESIGNER SELECTION
STEP 1
1. START WITH YOURSELF - AT WHICH STAGE OF THE PROJECT DEFINITION ARE YOU?
WHAT STAGES? - DOWNLOAD OUR FILE OR GO SEE THE PODCAST AND THE BLOG
2. DO YOU HAVE A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER?
3. CAN PEOPLE YOU APPROACH BE PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS - DO NOT ASSUME, ASK - AND APPOINT IN WRITING?
STEP 2
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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER GO AND GET ONE FIRST OR ASK IF YOUR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER CAN BE YOUR PRINCIPAL DESIGNER - STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ARE SELDOM PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS. WE ARE AND WE ARE UNIQUE IN THIS REGARD.
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DEPENDING ON THE STAGE YOU ARE AT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT BRIEF FOR THE PRINCIPAL DESIGNER TO QUOTE TO.
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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BRIEF IT MEANS YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU ARE SO IT WOULD BE BEST TO START WITH ADVICE - YOU CAN BOOK ONE HERE
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ASK FOR THE PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE CONFIRMATION
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SEE IF THEIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS IDENTIFY THE STAGES OF PROJECT DEFINITION OR ALLOW FOR AD-HOC SERVICE AS AND WHEN YOU NEED IT.
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CHECK IF YOUR DESIGN PROGRAM CAN BE ACCOMMODATED BY THEM AND THEY WILL BE READY TO RESOLVE SITE INQUIRIES IN A REASONABLE TIME.
STEP 3
IF YOU HAVE APPOINTED A PRINCIPAL DESIGNER, A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER AND A CONTRACTOR
FACILITATE THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THEM
- YES IT COSTS MONEY TO DO IT -
- YES IT COSTS MORE IF YOU DO NOT -
Phone Numer:
01233 367987
Address:
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75 Sir Henry Brackenbury Road, Ashford, TN23 3FJ
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80 Churchill Square, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4YU
Email: info@bytnar.co.uk
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
WE WORK ON PROJECTS IN KENT, LONDON AND HOME COUNTIES
OUR OFFICES ARE LOCATED IN KINGS HILL AND ASHFORD
