At Studio Passen, our role as your architect is to realise an architectural response to your brief that will most improve the lives spent within it and which encourages a sense of everyday delight.

The process of interpreting your project ambitions and making them a reality should be a joyful experience.

And how do we go about doing this? A good architect will ask the right questions — to understand and address the intentions at the core of your brief, continually refining this as the project develops, whilst providing guidance on anticipated timeframes and working within the construction budget to achieve an elegant, thoughtful and finely crafted architectural response.

We bring an understanding of buildings both old and new, combining practicality with creative thinking and technical knowledge on each and every project.

Taking the time at the outset of a project to engage with an architect does not mean the overall project takes longer to complete- in fact, it may save time overall and ease the process, avoiding costly mistakes along the way.

You might either choose to work with an architect based on their reputation, through word-of-mouth recommendation for instance, on a portfolio of previously completed designs you may be familiar with or simply based on an architect’s proximity to the project location. The decision might be also led by the ethos and design approach that is at the core of an architecture practice. Regardless, it is important to get to know your architect to give you confidence as the project develops from inception through to completion.

A local architect may have more experience and familiarity with the local planning authority, and can be more efficient when it comes to making regular visits to site to review progress. It is important that you weigh up what is of value to you as the client from the outset and what you hope to achieve once the project concludes when selecting which architect you wish to work with.

An architect’s fees are determined by a number of factors, including the type and complexity of the project, the level of service required, size, location, and the budget.

There are three different ways in which fees can be calculated — either as a percentage fee based on the final construction cost, as a fixed lump sum or calculated on a time charge basis (typically an hourly rate for the time taken for the work to be concluded).

In some cases, fees might be calculated using a combination of these methods e.g. as a percentage with additional services then charged for on a time basis.

After an initial conversation we will provide a transparent quote that is tailored to your requirements, with no hidden costs.

Studio Passen can provide a full range of services, from an initial consultation to explore the potential of a project through to a fully detailed suite of architectural plans and drawings.

We are interested in projects of all scales — whether an object or a piece of furniture, interior design, refurbishment and retrofit of an existing building, an extension to your home, or an entirely new building — and enjoy the process of revealing the particularities of each project brief.

We take an iterative approach to design- through sketching, photography and model-making, we ask questions of ourselves and the brief, and develop an architectural response that is considered and appropriate.

Initial sketch ideas can then be developed into a coherent and detailed package of information that can be used to gain any necessary approvals, be it planning or for Building Regulations, or to allow a selected builder to provide build costs. If required, we can make recommendations for other consultants who may be necessary for your project.