East Sussex · BN1, BN2, BN3
Architectural Design in Brighton and Hove
Architectural design covers turning a brief into buildable drawings — concept layouts, elevations and 3D visuals, then progressing an agreed scheme to planning-application standard and finally to detailed Building Regulations drawings a builder can price and construct from.
In Brighton and Hove, that covers Kemp Town, Hove, Preston Park, Hanover, Seven Dials, Fiveways, Patcham, Portslade. Brighton and Hove is known for its Regency architecture, extensive Victorian terraced housing, and later 20th-century development, all within a compact coastal city where many properties are in conservation areas and a significant number are listed.
Coverage
Areas we cover in Brighton and Hove for architectural design
Property styles in Brighton and Hove
Regency squares and terraces are concentrated around Brunswick, Kemp Town and the seafront, with dense Victorian terraced housing across much of the wider city, and later suburban housing further from the centre. Basement conversions, loft conversions and rear extensions are common project types on the terraced stock, subject to conservation area and party wall considerations.
Planning considerations
Brighton & Hove City Council is the local planning authority. The city has one of the highest concentrations of conservation areas of any local authority in the South East, and many properties are listed, particularly in the Regency squares. Basement work also requires careful consideration of structural and drainage issues in a dense urban setting.
How it works
Our architectural design process
- 01
Brief and site survey
Understanding what you want from the project, a measured survey of the existing property, and a review of planning constraints.
- 02
Concept design
Initial layout and massing options for your review, testing what the site and planning policy can realistically support.
- 03
Developed design
Refining the agreed concept into a full scheme — floor plans, elevations and sections — ready for planning submission where needed.
- 04
Planning submission
Preparing and submitting the planning application (or confirming permitted development where it applies), and handling any queries from the planning authority.
- 05
Technical design
Progressing the approved scheme to Building Regulations drawings, coordinated with structural calculations, ready to build from.
- 06
Handover to construction
Drawings and specification pass directly into the build programme, with the design team available through construction for any site queries.
Also in this area
Other services we provide in Brighton and Hove
Nearby coverage
Architectural Design in nearby areas
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FAQs
Architectural Design in Brighton and Hove: FAQs
Do you provide architectural design across all of Brighton and Hove?
Yes, we cover the BN1, BN2 and BN3 postcode areas in full, including Kemp Town, Hove, Preston Park, Hanover, Seven Dials, Fiveways, Patcham, Portslade.
Do I need an architect for a home extension?
Not always by law, but a well-developed design makes both planning permission and the build itself go more smoothly — particularly for anything beyond a simple single-storey extension. We can advise at the initial consultation what level of design your specific project needs.
Can you handle the planning application for me?
Yes, preparing and submitting the planning application (or confirming the project falls under permitted development) is part of the service, including responding to any queries the planning authority raises.
Can I extend a listed Regency property in Brighton?
Alterations to listed buildings require listed building consent in addition to any planning permission, and the historic character of Regency terraces means proposals are considered carefully. We assess feasibility on a case-by-case basis.
Get a quote for architectural design in Brighton and Hove
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Last reviewed 2026-07-19.