Architectural Design and 3D Visualisation Services for Homes Across Solihull, Birmingham and the West Midlands
A lot of homeowners we work with across Solihull and the West Midlands say the same thing: they just can’t picture how their architectural drawings will feel in real life. That’s where our 3D design walkthroughs make all the difference. Before anything’s built, you’ll explore your space on screen. Whether it’s a kitchen extension, loft conversion, or full renovation, you’ll see how it actually works.
It’s part of the architectural design process we use on every project. It helps you get the flow, light, and layout right from the start.
Design you can picture. Advice you can trust.
Architectural Design and 3D Visualisation Services for Homes Across Solihull, Birmingham and the West Midlands
A lot of homeowners we work with across Solihull and the West Midlands say the same thing: they just can’t picture how their architectural drawings will feel in real life. That’s where our 3D design walkthroughs make all the difference. Before anything’s built, you’ll explore your space on screen. Whether it’s a kitchen extension, loft conversion, or full renovation, you’ll see how it actually works.
It’s part of the architectural design process we use on every project. It helps you get the flow, light, and layout right from the start.
Design you can picture. Advice you can trust.
Architectural Design and 3D Visualisation Services for Homes Across Solihull, Birmingham and the West Midlands
A lot of homeowners we work with across Solihull and the West Midlands say the same thing: they just can’t picture how their architectural drawings will feel in real life. That’s where our 3D design walkthroughs make all the difference. Before anything’s built, you’ll explore your space on screen. Whether it’s a kitchen extension, loft conversion, or full renovation, you’ll see how it actually works.
It’s part of the architectural design process we use on every project. It helps you get the flow, light, and layout right from the start.
Design you can picture. Advice you can trust.
Architectural Design and 3D Visualisation Services for Homes Across Solihull, Birmingham and the West Midlands
A lot of homeowners we work with across Solihull and the West Midlands say the same thing: they just can’t picture how their architectural drawings will feel in real life. That’s where our 3D design walkthroughs make all the difference. Before anything’s built, you’ll explore your space on screen. Whether it’s a kitchen extension, loft conversion, or full renovation, you’ll see how it actually works.
It’s part of the architectural design process we use on every project. It helps you get the flow, light, and layout right from the start.
Design you can picture. Advice you can trust.
Architectural Design and 3D Visualisation Services for Homes Across Solihull, Birmingham and the West Midlands
A lot of homeowners we work with across Solihull and the West Midlands say the same thing: they just can’t picture how their architectural drawings will feel in real life. That’s where our 3D design walkthroughs make all the difference. Before anything’s built, you’ll explore your space on screen. Whether it’s a kitchen extension, loft conversion, or full renovation, you’ll see how it actually works.
It’s part of the architectural design process we use on every project. It helps you get the flow, light, and layout right from the start.
Design you can picture. Advice you can trust.
Architectural Design and 3D Visualisation Services for Homes Across Solihull, Birmingham and the West Midlands
A lot of homeowners we work with across Solihull and the West Midlands say the same thing: they just can’t picture how their architectural drawings will feel in real life. That’s where our 3D design walkthroughs make all the difference. Before anything’s built, you’ll explore your space on screen. Whether it’s a kitchen extension, loft conversion, or full renovation, you’ll see how it actually works.
It’s part of the architectural design process we use on every project. It helps you get the flow, light, and layout right from the start.
Design you can picture. Advice you can trust.
Comprehensive Architectural Design Services across the West Midlands region from Award-Winning Architecture Design Studio
We’re a small architectural studio based in Solihull. No big team. No layers of staff. When you work with us, you deal with us. Simple as that.
Most of our work’s close to home. House extensions, loft conversions, and new builds across Solihull, Birmingham, and Warwickshire. All residential. All designed to work for the way you actually live. Not just something that looks good in a glossy photo.
Because we stay local, we know what tends to get through planning. Solihull likes a consistent roofline. Birmingham’s older terraces come with tight layouts and tricky neighbours. Warwickshire has conservation areas where every detail matters. We’ve worked with all of it. That experience helps you avoid delays and get the result you want.
We also show you everything in 3D from the start. Proper walkthroughs. You can stand in your new kitchen, look out of the windows, and get a feel for how light moves through the space. Clients often say it’s what made them feel sure about the design. You spot things earlier. You make better choices. And you don’t get stuck with “we should’ve changed that” once it’s built.
That’s been especially useful on bigger projects in Dorridge and Knowle, where people are investing properly in their homes and want to get it right first time..
Custom House Extensions Designed for the Way You Live
Rear Extensions
We design house extensions across Solihull, Birmingham and the West Midlands that feel like a natural part of your home — not something bolted on. Whether you need more space for cooking, relaxing or just making family life flow a bit better, we’ll help you plan it properly and get the most from what’s already there. All our extensions are tailored to your layout, your style— we focus on roof design, glazing, and flow — then show it all in 3D so you can see how it’ll work before we move on to planning.so the end result looks right and works day to day.
Side Extensions
We’ve drafted a fair few side extensions around Kings Heath, Hall Green and Knowle — usually where there’s a bit of dead space down the side of the house that’s not really doing anything. It’s often just bins and paving slabs. But once we look at the layout, it’s surprising how much use you can get from it. A bit of extra kitchen width, a pantry a place to tuck in a downstairs toilet, or even a proper utility — it doesn’t need to be big to be useful. We keep it simple, make it feel like it’s always been there, and get the drawings done so it’s all clear and ready to price up.
Wrap-around extensions
Popular across Balsall Common, Shirley and south Birmingham, especially when families outgrow their layout but don’t want to move. These L-shaped designs help bring the back and side of the house together into one connected space. We work closely with you to get the flow right — cooking, dining, relaxing — then model it in 3D so you can walk through it and tweak the design before anything’s built.
Two-Storey Extensions
You don’t always need to go big to get a lot back. We’ve helped families across Solihull and the surrounding villages add bedrooms and bathrooms with two-storey extensions that don’t overpower the original house. The key is getting the proportions right — how the roof ties in, how the brickwork’s matched, where the windows sit. We look at how the upstairs flows with the rest of the house and model it all in 3D so you can get a feel for the space before we move forward with planning.
Loft Conversion Specialists That Make the Most of What You’ve Already Got
We’ve designed a lot of loft conversions around Solihull, Hall Green and south Birmingham — usually for families who’ve outgrown the upstairs and want to make better use of what’s already there. Most lofts have more potential than people realise, but they need the right design to make it work. We take care of the full set of architectural drawings and guide you through the planning and building control process, so there are no surprises. You’ll see it all in 3D early on — stairs, storage, layout — and know exactly how the space will feel before anything starts on site.
Dormer Conversions
These are the ones most people picture — a box-style extension that opens up the roof and gives you head height where you actually need it. We design the windows and layout so the room feels intentional, not squeezed in — and make sure it blends with the outside too.
Hip-to-Gable Conversions
We see a lot of 1930s semis and end-terraces across places like Shirley, Knowle and Yardley with hipped roofs that make the loft feel tight and awkward. By building up the gable wall, we can open up that corner and get a proper room out of it — not just a half-width box with sloping ceilings. It’s a solid way to unlock space without needing to extend at the back, and we’ll show you how it’ll sit with the rest of the house before we submit anything.
Mansard Conversions
In denser areas like Moseley or Harborne, where planning rules are tighter, a mansard can give you a whole new floor without overloading the roofline. These often come with big openings, Juliet balconies or clerestory windows — so even though it’s a loft, it feels like a proper part of the home.
Roof Light Conversions
Some of the most straightforward lofts we’ve worked on have been in conservation areas — where the roof needs to stay exactly as it is. No dormers, no big changes outside. In those cases, rooflight conversions work well if the layout is thought through properly. We plan where the stairs go, how the windows line up, and where you’ll store things — then model the whole thing in 3D so you can check it feels right before we move forward.
Building New Homes That Feel Like They Belong
We’ve developed bespoke new builds across Solihull, Dorridge, Henley-in-Arden and the edges of Warwickshire — usually where someone’s found a good plot or is replacing a tired old house with something that suits how they actually live. These projects always start with a conversation — not just about style, but about flow, budget, and what the site can realistically support.
We draw up full architectural plans, get planning sorted, and use 3D visuals so you can walk through the design and make changes before it hits site. Whether it’s a clean-lined family home or something more rural and traditional, the goal is the same: to get something that fits — you, the land, and the way you live.
Bespoke House Designs
Most sites we work on around Solihull or the edge of Warwickshire have something unusual about them — a slope, an awkward access point, a neighbour too close for comfort. We don’t start with a standard layout and try to make it fit. We look at how the light hits the plot, how you want to live, and what the planners are likely to say. Then we design around that.
We produce all the architectural drawings needed for planning, and you’ll see the full layout in 3D — long before anything’s built. That way, you can walk through it on screen, tweak the flow, and feel confident before a single decision gets locked in.
Replacement Dwellings
We’ve worked on plenty of homes across the West Midlands where keeping the existing building just didn’t make sense. Sometimes it’s cheaper to rebuild than to retrofit something that was never designed for how people live today.
If you're thinking about knocking down and starting over, we’ll help you make the case. That means getting the proportions right, showing how it sits in the street or landscape, and preparing clear, accurate drawings that give planners and neighbours confidence in the scheme. You’ll still end up with something bespoke — it just won’t be limited by the old structure.
Turning Old Barns into Liveable Homes — Without Losing the Character
We’ve worked on barns, stables and granaries all across Warwickshire, Solihull and the quieter stretches around Bromsgrove. Some still had hay in them, others barely had a roof left. But even the rough ones usually have something worth holding onto.
It’s not just about sticking in new windows or cladding the inside. You’ve got to think about how the building breathes, where the light falls, and how to make it liveable without wiping out the character. We handle all the architectural drawings and planning applications, and we model everything in 3D too — so you can see how it’ll work in practice, not just on paper.
Traditional Barn Conversions
When we convert a barn, the goal isn’t to make it look like a new-build — it’s to make it feel like it’s always been a home. We often keep the original timber frames exposed, open up the full height in places, and let the natural materials do the work. The outside might stay rough and agricultural, but inside we design for comfort, light and space — not just style.
Rural Outbuildings
We’ve turned all sorts of forgotten outbuildings into something useful — old pigsties, timber sheds, brick-built feed rooms — mostly dotted around Tanworth-in-Arden, Lapworth and the smaller villages towards Henley-in-Arden. Most people walk past them without a second glance.
But once you look at the structure, check what can be saved, and think through the layout properly, they often make ideal garden rooms, annexes or workspaces. We draw it all up, work through the practical bits, and design around the original shell — so it still feels like what it was, just ready for a new chapter.
Listed Building Conversions
Grade II barns come with their own set of rules — and a lot of quirks. You’ve often got split levels, no insulation, and beams that do their own thing. The key is knowing what to touch and what to leave alone. We always start by getting the conservation officer on side early and make sure every historic detail is recorded properly. From there, we design changes that feel natural to the building — things that show it’s moved forward without faking the past. We don’t hide the odd twist or weathered beam — we make it part of the story.
Flexible Design Packages for West Midlands Homes
From early sketches to full building regs packs, choose the support that suits your build.
We offer three levels of service — from basic drawings to full design and build support — so you can choose what works best for your project and your budget.
Architectural Designs & Drawings
Designs That Work — On Paper, and When the Builder Turns Up
We’ve drawn up extensions in Knowle, lofts in Hall Green, and new homes on tricky Warwickshire plots — and every single one starts with the same goal: make sure it works for the way you actually live and how it’ll be built.
We don’t just sketch ideas and hand them off. We think about where the steel will go, how the roof pitch affects your head height upstairs, how glazing lines up with the garden — and what planning will or won’t accept in your postcode. If we know Solihull planners will flag a ridge height or a rear projection, we adjust it early and explain the thinking in the drawings.
Rear extensions that flow properly from the existing kitchen and don’t create dark corners
Loft conversions that line up with your stairs and avoid cutting into headroom over the landing
Barn conversion concepts that let the structure breathe while still passing building control
New builds shaped by site levels, access, outlook — and what the local authority expects to see
Every drawing is done with the end in mind — so it works on site, not just on paper.
Planning Application Plans
Planning Applications That Don’t Get Stuck in the System
We’ve submitted planning applications all over Solihull, Birmingham and Warwickshire — so we know what each council looks for, and where they draw the line. Whether it’s a straightforward householder application in Dorridge or a conservation area extension in Moseley, we tailor the drawings and the language to fit what’s likely to be approved.
We don’t just fill out the forms — we handle the full process, from advising on permitted development rights to writing Design & Access Statements that clearly explain your case. If a project needs a planning officer’s input early, we’ll speak to them. If your property has a tricky planning history, we’ll check it first.
Advice on whether full planning or PD is the better route
Local authority submissions with drawings that anticipate likely questions
Design & Access Statements that reflect real intent, not generic text
Experience with conservation areas where materials, roof shapes and context matter
We plan ahead, flag risks early, and make sure your application stands up to scrutiny — visually and technically.
Building Regulations Plans
Building Regs Drawings That Builders Can Actually Build From
This is where the detail matters — insulation depths, steel connections, ventilation, drainage runs. We produce full technical drawings that don’t just meet building regs, but also give your builder everything they need to price and build it properly.
Whether it’s a rear extension in Balsall Common or a loft conversion in Kings Heath, we make sure the drawings work in the real world. If it’s going to need a beam, we show it. If the roof build-up affects head height, we adjust for that. And we coordinate with your structural engineer to keep everything aligned.
Fully detailed construction plans that match the design
Clear material specs — no guesswork on insulation or finishes
Coordination with structural calcs, so it all fits together
Submissions to building control, with drawings ready for checks on fire safety, thermal performance, and structure
It’s the technical stage that ties the design to the build — and we make sure it’s spot on.
3D Architectural Visualization
3D Design You Can Walk Through — Before Anything’s Built
Most of our clients see their space on screen long before the builder steps foot on site. During your interactive design meetings — usually in your lounge — we’ll plug into your TV and walk you through every part of the design. You’ll see how the rooms connect, how the light changes through the day, and whether the space really works for the way you live.
It’s not just a pretty picture — it’s a proper way to test layouts, tweak the details, and avoid making costly changes later on.
Explore your design in 3D before planning or building begins
Try different materials, colours, and layouts with confidence
Understand light levels, proportions, and how everything feels day-to-day
This is where the vision clicks into place — and you get to be fully involved before a single brick is laid.
Architecture Design Experience Built Around the West Midlands Planning Landscape
We work right across the West Midlands, but there are a few areas we know particularly well — places where we’ve handled dozens of planning applications and understand how the local policies play out in practice. That local knowledge makes all the difference when it comes to getting things approved.
Birmingham
Birmingham
We’ve worked on projects all over Birmingham — from Moseley and Kings Heath to Harborne and Erdington — and we understand how planning can vary from one part of the city to the next. That local insight means we can shape designs that work for your home and meet Birmingham City Council’s expectations.
Warwickshire
Over the years, we’ve prepared Architectural drawings across Warwickshire — barn conversions, old cottages, a few replacement houses dotted around the lanes near Henley and Stratford. You get a real mix out here. Some plots come with quirks, others with a list of restrictions, and a lot of them involve older buildings where the usual approach just doesn’t fit.
We know how to shape a design that gets taken seriously by the planners. It’s about showing the story of the building properly, not forcing something that doesn’t belong. Every drawing we put together aims to do just that.
Coventry
Most of the work we’ve done in Coventry has been on post-war homes — a lot of them built quickly, not always with flow or long-term layout in mind. Some of the houses feel solid but underused, with big footprints and small rooms. Others need a full rethink.
We’ve helped people open up cramped kitchens, extend awkward side returns, and rework tired loft spaces into something more usable. Coventry’s planning team tends to focus on local character and materials, especially in the older suburbs, so we make sure the drawings reflect that from the start. No generic layouts — just designs shaped to the site, the street, and the way you want to live in it.
Bromsgrove & Redditch
We’ve worked on plenty of homes across Bromsgrove and Redditch — usually in those fringe areas where the countryside starts creeping in at the edges. You get a bit of everything here: bungalows with potential, older semis with big plots, and the occasional barn or outbuilding tucked behind a row of houses.
We’re familiar with both the Bromsgrove District Plan and Redditch’s local policies, especially where the site feels a bit borderline — not quite rural, not quite urban. That local planning insight helps us shape the drawings in a way that speaks the planners’ language without losing the design you’re after.
Custom Architectural Support for Planning, Design & Build Across Solihull and Birmingham
Whether it’s making room for a new arrival in a family home in Solihull, updating an old layout in a 1930s Birmingham semi, or just figuring out how to make your house work better day to day — we take a personal, design-led approach from the start.
We don’t just draw what looks good. We look at how the space actually works, how it’ll feel once you’re living in it, and whether it’s something that’ll make sense to planners and building control. In places like Shirley or Kings Heath, that might mean adjusting the roof design to stay within permitted development, or reshaping a rear extension so it avoids a step down and keeps your floor levels flush.
Everything’s explained in plain English, drawn clearly, and modelled in 3D so you can walk through it before anything’s submitted — or built.
Solihull
We’re based in Solihull, so we know the local planning policies inside out. Over the years, we’ve built strong working relationships with Solihull Council’s planning team, which helps us spot the issues early and put together applications that stand a better chance of getting approved.
Local Planning Authority Expertise
We’ve been submitting planning applications across the West Midlands for years — Solihull, Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Stratford — and every council works differently. One might fixate on roof height. Another will flag up rear projection or the amount of glazing. Once you’ve dealt with the same planning officers a few dozen times, you start to get a feel for what’s likely to get through — and what’ll get bounced back.
That’s where we come in. Before we submit anything, we’ll take a proper look at the site — plot size, local character, street context — and design it to sidestep obvious refusals. If needed, we’ll go through pre-app or get the case officer on the phone to talk through the scheme. We don’t just draw. We plan ahead.
Every drawing is done with approval in mind — whether it’s a modest rear extension or a full new-build. And because we stay on top of policy changes, we’re not relying on old assumptions. We know when Solihull tightens up on ridge height, or when Bromsgrove starts prioritising biodiversity gains. It’s our job to know — so your application stands the best chance.
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
We’ve submitted plenty of planning applications in Solihull — particularly in Dorridge, Knowle and Balsall Common — where the rules around extensions are often stricter than people expect.
Solihull’s planners tend to focus on things like ridge height, rear projection, and matching materials. So we shape the drawings around that from the start, giving the application the best chance of moving through smoothly.
That kind of local insight matters. It’s the difference between weeks of back and forth — and a straightforward approval.
Birmingham City Council
We’ve worked across Birmingham — in Moseley, Harborne, Kings Heath, Selly Park — and many of these areas come with extra planning layers. Conservation zones. Article 4 directions. Design guides that can catch people off guard.
We know where the pressure points are. Roof alterations. Front-facing dormers. Changing materials on the street side. So our drawings are shaped around that from the start — not just what looks good, but what’s likely to get approved.
We’re not going to submit something that stands no chance. Instead, we plan it carefully, using local context, previous approvals, and a design that fits the brief and the policy.
Warwickshire Planning Authorities
We’ve dealt with planners right across Warwickshire — Stratford, Warwick, bit of Southam, even out near Kineton and Claverdon.
A lot of what we do around here is barn conversions or edge-of-village extensions — places like Snitterfield. Lovely spots, but they come with a lot of planning baggage. Sometimes it’s heritage, sometimes landscape, sometimes it’s just the officer’s reading of the plot.
That’s where it helps to know how to pitch the design. We’ve been through it enough times to know when to hold firm and when to tweak it. We don’t guess — we look at the constraints, speak to the officers when needed, and draw it up so it has a real shot at getting through without a pile of conditions.
Redditch & Bromsgrove District Councils
We’ve handled plenty of planning applications across Redditch and Bromsgrove — especially around Alvechurch, Barnt Green, and Wythall — where a lot of plots sit right on the Green Belt edge.
That changes the approach. You can’t just draw a nice extension and hope for the best. In these areas, the planners look hard at things like scale, visual impact, and how it sits in the landscape.
We design with that in mind — shaping the drawings to suit the setting and give the proposal a fair shot without endless back-and-forth. It’s not just about what you want. It’s about what’s likely to get through.
Residential Architecture That Works — Across the West Midlands
Take a look at some of our recent design work — from planning approvals to full building regs drawings — across Solihull, Birmingham and Warwickshire.
Solihull, West Midlands — Garage Conversion with Contemporary Porch Design
This one was all about lifting the front of the house without stepping outside what the road could take. The client wanted something sharper and more contemporary, but we knew from experience in this part of Solihull that anything too bold on the street elevation can raise eyebrows with the planners.
We designed a new mono-pitched roof over the existing garage, added a clean-lined porch with a triangular feature window, and brought in vertical shadow gap cladding to give it a crisp, modern feel. It gave the whole front a lift, but still sat well alongside the neighbours.
We wrapped in a single-storey rear extension under the same application — so it all had to read as one coherent scheme. The planners were on board once we’d shown how the materials and rooflines tied in with the original house.
Planning Approval: 12 weeks
Build Time: 12 weeks
Birmingham, West Midlands — Open-Plan Kitchen Extension with Feature Window
This single-storey rear extension gave the family a proper open-plan layout — somewhere to cook, eat and spend time together without feeling boxed in. We vaulted the ceiling to open the space up vertically, added a central island to anchor the kitchen, and pulled light in from every angle. The pentagon-shaped gable window became the standout feature — a bold touch that didn’t push the planners too far.
Because it’s a dense part of Birmingham, we had to be careful with the scale. We tucked the massing in just enough to avoid overlooking issues, but still gave the client the floor space and natural light they needed. The balance was key — and we made sure the drawings told that story clearly.
Planning Approval: 11 weeks
Build Time: Currently on site
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire — Bespoke Replacement Dwelling
This one was a full knockdown and rebuild just outside Stratford — the existing structure wasn’t worth saving, but the site itself had a lot going for it. That said, getting a new house through planning in this part of Warwickshire isn’t always straightforward, especially where local character and massing are concerned.
The first submission hit a wall — refused on design grounds. We’d anticipated it might be a push, but the refusal gave us a clear steer. We revised the scheme to pull it more in line with the local vernacular, softened the rooflines, adjusted the footprint slightly, and went back in with a clearer narrative.
I presented the updated proposal at the committee meeting myself — walking them through the design logic, how we’d addressed the concerns, and how the new building would sit within the wider street scene. That did the job — it was approved on the second go.
Planning Approval: 18 weeks (including committee presentation)
Build Time: 11 months - Currently on site
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire — Modern Barn Conversion with Traditional Detail
This was a steel-framed agricultural barn just outside Bromsgrove — not much character to start with, but a solid structure and a great setting. We began by securing Class Q permission to lock in the residential use, but the real ambition was always to improve the design beyond what Class Q allows.
Once that fallback was in place, we put together a full planning application. The aim was to take something sharp-edged and modern and help it feel more rooted in the landscape. We designed a reclaimed brick plinth, added vertical millboard cladding to soften the steel frame, and pulled in more natural light through additional openings — which we had to justify carefully given the uplift from the Class Q baseline.
The planners were cautious about the visual impact — especially the glazing and materials — so we worked closely with them to show how each change was grounded in the local context and scale of nearby outbuildings. We also tweaked the position of the new windows so they didn’t break the horizontal rhythm of the original barn, which helped get it over the line.
From a building regs point of view, we had to look closely at thermal upgrades for the steel frame and detailing around the new openings. That informed the design from the start — so what we drew was already practical to build.
Planning Approval: Class Q - 6 weeks,
Full Permission - 10 weeks
Build Time: 10 months - Currently on site
Coventry, West Midlands — Contemporary Garden Room Extension
This rear extension in Coventry was all about creating a brighter, more usable family space that opened straight onto the garden. We kept the roof flat to stay below the sightlines of the upstairs windows, then exposed the joists internally to give it a bit of warmth and rhythm. A pyramid lantern sits over the central space, with extra rooflights tucked in to bring in light throughout the day.
The Crittall-style doors were the big statement — they open up fully and frame the garden nicely without overpowering the original house. It’s a modern look, but we were careful to keep the scale and materials grounded in the character of the property.
Planning challenge: Because the house had a traditional form, we had to show how the new extension respected the existing structure. Coventry’s planning team were mainly focused on keeping the roof height modest and making sure the glazing didn’t look too harsh next to the original brickwork — so we used a soft palette and clear junctions between old and new to make the transition feel intentional.
Planning Approval: 8 weeks
Build Time: 14 weeks
Alvechurch, Worcestershire — Loft Conversion That Respects the Character
This was a family home in Alvechurch where the brief was clear: two extra bedrooms and en suites, but no bulky dormers stuck on the back. We avoided the usual boxy approach and instead designed a double gable dormer with a soft Mansard roof behind — keeping the lines low and making sure the new roof form blended with the original architecture.
The dormers gave us the head height where we needed it, while the Mansard tucked in the flat roof so it didn’t look out of place from the garden or the neighbours’ upstairs windows. Inside, the layout flows naturally from the existing stair — we kept the landings generous and made sure the ensuite proportions worked with the rafters.
Planning challenge: Alvechurch has a lot of homes with strong character, and the planners were particularly focused on the impact of dormers in this part of the street. We made the case that the double gable form echoed the symmetry of the front elevation and kept the ridge line intact. The visuals helped a lot — showing how the design added usable space without overwhelming the existing house.
Planning Approval: Pending
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Two-Storey Side Extension Design | Functional Family Homes in Solihull
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Barn Conversion with Standing Seam Roof | Modern Rural Design in Bromsgrove
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Traditional House Design with Contemporary Style | New Build in Solihull
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Open-Plan Kitchen Extension Design | Modern Living in Birmingham
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Orangery with Crittall Doors & Windows | Contemporary Design in Birmingham
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Luxury Family Home with Detached Double Garage | Birmingham Architectural Design
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Larger Home Extension for Open-Plan Design | Family Living in Birmingham
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Single-Storey Rear Extension with Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow | Extension Plans Birmingham
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![3D perspective drawings for kitchen extensions in Birmingham provide a detailed view of layouts, helping refine appliance placement, cabinet configurations, and worktops. McTernan Design creates functional, stylish kitchens with optimised designs.]()
3D Perspective Drawings for Kitchen Extensions | Birmingham Extension Drawings
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![Second-storey extensions over garages in Birmingham offer extra space and enhanced kerb appeal. Proffessional planning drawings that ensure compliance with local regulations while maximising functionality and modernising your property.]()
Planning Drawings for Over-Garage Extensions | Birmingham Planning Permission Drawings
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![Front extension in Redditch featuring a gable porch for an inviting entrance. McTernan Design enhances property functionality and style with designs that improve kerb appeal and integrate seamlessly with your home’s architectural character.]()
Front Extension with Gable Porch Design | Redditch Extension Plans
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![Box dormer window loft conversion in Birmingham offering increased headroom and natural light. McTernan Design provides detailed plans for functional layouts that comply with Lawful Development Certificate requirements and enhance living space.]()
Modern Box Dormer Window Loft Conversion | Birmingham Loft Conversion Plans
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![Single-storey rear extension in Solihull under permitted development, blending indoor and outdoor spaces. McTernan Design integrates patio landscaping with functional layouts, enhancing family living and creating a seamless garden connection.]()
Permitted Development Rear Extension & Patio Design | Solihull House Extension Ideas
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![Oak frame porch design in Warwickshire enhances entrances with durability and natural charm. McTernan Design crafts plans for porches that complement both traditional and modern homes, adding architectural character and timeless appeal.]()
Oak Frame Porch Design | Warwickshire Planning Application Drawings
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![Wrap-around extension in Birmingham featuring a stylish canopy roof for seamless indoor-outdoor flow. McTernan Design creates layouts that enhance natural light, connect living spaces, and provide a versatile area for family life and entertaining.]()
Wrap-Around Extension with Canopy Roof | Birmingham Planning Permission Drawing Service
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![Planning application drawings for a two-storey extension in Solihull include detailed floor plans, elevations, and site layouts. McTernan Design ensures accurate visualisations to simplify approvals and guide your extension project seamlessly.]()
Two-Storey Extension Planning Drawings | Solihull Planning Permission Layouts
The McTernan Design Approach — From Sketch to Submission
We take you through the whole process step by step — from the first ideas to the final architectural drawings — so everything flows properly and nothing gets missed along the way.
We handle everything from the first consultation right through to the finished build — helping you plan, design and deliver your home transformation with clarity at every stage.
Kenilworth Home Transformation — From Planning Drawings to a Finished Family Home
See how this Kenilworth home has been transformed — from the first set of drawings to the finished space — using our full architectural design and 3D visualisation service. The planning drawings were prepared in detail to get approval from Warwick District Council, and the 3D visuals helped the client understand exactly how the space would feel before the build even started.
Use the slider to compare the before and after and get a real sense of what’s possible. Whether you’re planning a renovation, extension or full reconfiguration, this is a good example of how we turn design ideas into buildable, lived-in spaces across Warwickshire.
Before We Built It, They Walked Through It — A Henley-in-Arden Home, Fully Visualised in 3D
We used full 3D visualisation to help the homeowners in Henley-in-Arden get a proper feel for their space before any work started. They could walk through the layout on screen, see how the new extension tied in with the original house, and make changes early — before a single brick was laid. That meant no second-guessing once the builder got on site, and no surprises with the finished result.
The design includes a single-storey rear extension, replacement windows, new Crittall-style glazing, a carriageway gate, raised patio, and full external makeover with off-white silicone render. The 3D visuals helped them picture it all — not just the shape of the rooms, but how the materials would work together, how the doors would line up with the garden, and what it would actually feel like to live in.
Use the slider to compare what’s there now with what’s coming — and see how this Henley home moves from basic to bespoke before the build even begins.
See It. Tweak It. Get It Right — How 3D Design Helps You Build with Confidence
Helping Planners See What You See
We’ve used 3D visuals on dozens of planning applications — especially around Solihull and Warwick — and they’ve often made the difference when the design’s a bit more ambitious or tight on space. Some councils won’t say it outright, but if they can see how the extension fits into the street or garden, they’re less likely to push back.
We include the visuals in the planning packs — showing rooflines, window placements, and how the massing relates to the neighbours. It helps cut out misunderstandings early. One recent scheme in Stratford had some unusual angles at the rear, and just explaining it in 2D wasn’t landing. Once they saw the render, the officer came back with no design comments at all.
For clients, it means fewer last-minute tweaks. And for building regs, we’ve already thought through the structure, glazing, overhangs — so what gets built matches what you imagined.
Clearer Drawings Mean Fewer Site Headaches
We’ve worked with enough builders across Solihull, Birmingham and Warwickshire to know one thing — the clearer the drawings and visuals, the smoother the build goes. Our 3D designs don’t just help you picture the space — they give your builder a proper reference for finishes, roof shapes, window heights, and all the little details that can get missed in a standard set of plans.
It helps avoid site guesswork, cuts down on back-and-forth, and keeps everyone on the same page — whether it's your builder, the plasterer, or the guy fitting the steel.
Walk through your new space on screen — long before the builders turn up on site.
Make Confident Design Decisions
Before anything’s built, you’ll get to explore the full design in 3D — walk through the space, test different layouts, and see how it’ll feel day to day. It takes the guesswork out and helps you make clear decisions early on, not halfway through the build.
Try out different layout options before locking things in
Get a real sense of space, scale and how everything connects
See how the light moves through each room during the day
Try materials, colours and finishes virtually
Spot any issues before the builder’s on site.
What Our Clients Say
See what homeowners across the West Midlands are saying about working with McTernan Design — and how their homes have been transformed.
"We needed more space but didn’t want to leave our neighbourhood. We got the perfect family home without moving in by the rear extension designed by McTernan. We were able to see exactly how the spaces would work before we committed to them with their 3D visualization." — Sarah & James, Solihull (Rear Extension)
The McTernan Difference
McTernan Design is a small, family-run architectural practice based in Solihull. We’ve been working with homeowners across the West Midlands since 2010, offering a personal, one-to-one service from first ideas through to planning approval and detailed building regulations drawings.
Because we’re a tight-knit team, you won’t be passed around — the person you speak to at the start is the same one who prepares your drawings, manages the planning process, and helps guide your project from concept to completion. We use 3D design and virtual walkthroughs to help you visualise the space before anything’s built, and we know the local planning policies inside out — so we can spot potential issues early and help steer things in the right direction.
40+ years of local design experience
Design knowledge rooted in real homes, not just paper plans — from Solihull to Stratford.
350+ projects across the West Midlands
Extensions, conversions, new builds — each one shaped around how people actually live.
7 local councils we deal with regularly
Solihull, Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Stratford and beyond — we know how each one works.
What sets us apart is how personal the process is — everything’s handled in-house, from first feasibility ideas to final building control drawings, so you’re never passed around. It’s a full architectural service, but with one point of contact the whole way through.
Everything Under One Roof
You won’t need to bounce between different companies for planning, drawings, and build support — we handle it all, so the whole process feels joined up from start to finish.
See It Before You Build It
We use Architectural 3D design and virtual walkthroughs to help you explore your space before a single brick is laid — so you can make confident decisions early and avoid expensive changes later.
Face-to-Face Design, Right at Your Kitchen Table
We meet you at home, plug straight into your TV, and walk you through the design on screen — so you can see it properly, ask questions, and get a real feel for the space as it develops.
Local Planning Know-How
We’ve submitted hundreds of planning applications across Solihull, Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Stratford and beyond — so we know how each council thinks, and what they’re likely to push back on. That kind of local insight helps us shape designs that tick the boxes without losing what makes them work for you.
Common Questions
Do I need planning permission for my home extension in the West Midlands?
Many extensions and loft conversions in Solihull, Birmingham and Warwickshire are able to proceed under Permitted Development rights, but this will depend on your property, its location and the extent of the project. However, properties in conservation areas, listed buildings, and those homes which have had extensions in the past are likely to have more restrictions. At the initial consultation we fully examine your property’s planning status and explain the most suitable approval pathway for your project in the West Midlands.
What makes your planning application approach successful for West Midlands properties?
We have identified the following key factors that make our planning application successful: Knowledge of local planning policies in Solihull, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Redditch and Bromsgrove; If appropriate, we make early pre-application consultations with planning officers;
Very detailed and professional documentation that is specific to each local authority;
Strategic design that aims to prevent planning concerns instead of waiting for them to arise;
Architectural visualizations that clearly show how the proposals relate to the neighbouring properties.
We have vast experience working with West Midlands planning authorities and, therefore, design with approval in mind right from the beginning of the project to ensure that your project meets the laid down local planning requirements to the fullest.
What timeline should I expect for my architectural project in Solihull or Birmingham?
Our typical architectural design process for residential projects across the West Midlands is as follows: The timeframes for the design process are as follows: Initial consultation and detailed site survey: 1-2 weeks. Concept design development: 2-3 weeks. Design refinement with 3D visualization: 2-3 weeks. Planning application preparation and submission: 1-2 weeks. Local authority decision: Solihull, Birmingham, and Warwickshire councils take 8-10 weeks. Building regulations drawings: 3-4 weeks. Homeowners should expect 4-6 months from the initial meeting to construction-ready documentation, designed to minimisze delays and lead to a well-planned project.
How do you support the building regulations process for Birmingham and Solihull extensions?
After planning permission, we produce very detailed building regulations drawings that demonstrate all the technical details of the construction compliance drawings for the whole of Birmingham, Solihull and the rest of the West Midlands. This includes working with qualified structural engineers to make sure that all load-bearing elements are properly designed; we produce very detailed construction drawings that enable builders to come up with very accurate quotations; specify the material and construction method that is current with the building regulations; meet the thermal efficiency needs with the right kind of insulation; guarantee the right ventilation, fire safety and accessibility features are incorporated; and, provide on-site technical support during the building control approval process. This is a very methodical approach to your project to make it legally sound while at the same time making it easy to build.
How do your architectural 3D visualizations enhance my Warwickshire home project?
Our architectural 3D visualizations transform your build experience by helping you better understand your planned space, for Warwickshire homeowners it means being able to virtually walk through your extension or renovation before construction starts. This technology enables you to see and understand spatial relationships that 2D plans cannot, be able to present and compare different design options in real time during our one-to-one meetings, be able to make decisions on the materials and finishes, produce better planning applications with clear context visuals, and provide builders with a clear design intent. This approach minimises construction surprises to a large extent and is a way of ensuring that your vision is fully brought to life for properties in Henley in Arden, Stratford upon Avon, and the rest of Warwickshire.
What distinguishes your architectural design service from others in the West Midlands?
Our architectural design service is different by our great technical knowledge and client centered strategy. There is a big difference between our practice and other traditional firms that rely on 2D plans and email communication, we offer face to face design meetings where you can see your project on your TV, virtually living in your space before construction. We are a family run practice were you will have direct contact with our principal designer until the end of your project as well as having that one to one personal touch that you would not get with a larger firm. We offer an extensive service to homeowners in Solihull, Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, we take your project from concept right through to planning approval, building regulations and even construction support, so you won’t have to worry about coordinating with multiple consultants to get your home transformed.
Start Your Architectural Journey
We offer a no-obligation consultation to talk through what’s possible — whether you’re just exploring ideas or ready to get things moving.
Here’s what you can expect:
Clear planning and feasibility option explanations
Early guidance on realistic budgets and timeframes
Honest insight into what will work — and what won’t
A chance to see your ideas in 3D before anything’s built
Let’s take a proper look at your space and figure out the best way forward.