Business Details
10 Years
experience
Chris Matson in Edinburgh
Established in 2016, Chris Matson is a chartered architectural practice based in Edinburgh, Scotland. With over two decades of professional experience, including training at Edinburgh College of Art and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, our director has cultivated expertise in residential architecture, listed building conservation, and urban design. Our portfolio spans new-build homes, extensions to historic properties, small-scale commercial developments, and community-led regeneration projects. We prioritise contextual sensitivity, blending modern functionality with heritage preservation across conservation areas and listed buildings. Our team has collaborated with notable clients on award-winning projects, including the Three Chimneys Restaurant extension, which received global recognition for accessible design.We maintain affiliations with the Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland (ARIAS), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Our approach combines creative problem-solving with technical rigour, ensuring compliance with planning regulations while delivering tailored solutions. We have worked with private homeowners, hospitality businesses, and local authorities on projects ranging from single-storey extensions to mixed-use urban developments. Client testimonials highlight our attention to detail, budget management, and ability to translate complex requirements into functional spaces. Our practice continues to evolve, most recently forming Matson Mourier Architects in 2024 to expand our collaborative design capabilities.
Services
Residential Architecture
Commercial Design
Urban Regeneration
Listed Building Consent
Heritage Assessments
Planning Applications
New Build Homes
Extension Projects
Community Development
Accessibility Design
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- Chartered architects with 18+ years' experience in heritage and modern projects
- Award-winning design for the Three Chimneys Restaurant's accessible kitchen extension
- Proven track record with listed buildings in Edinburgh's New Town conservation area
- Collaborated on Muirhouse Town Centre regeneration with Edinburgh City Council
- Maintains professional standards through RIBA and Royal Danish Academy networks
Associations and certifications
- Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland (ARIAS)
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
- Architects Registration Board (ARB)
What people say
Untiring detailed work
High standards
Practical sympathetic designs
Prompt efficient service
Award-winning facility
Services
Residential Architecture
Specialist residential design covering new-build homes, extensions, and renovations. Expertise in conservation areas and listed properties ensures modern functionality meets heritage requirements. Projects include single-storey garden rooms and complete house reconstructions.
Commercial Design
Tailored commercial architecture for hospitality and retail sectors. Notable projects include award-winning restaurant extensions and town centre regeneration schemes. Combines accessibility standards with commercial viability for blue-chip clients and independent businesses.
Urban Regeneration
Comprehensive urban design experience demonstrated through Muirhouse Town Centre redevelopment. Creates mixed-use spaces integrating residential, retail, and community facilities while enhancing public realms and transport connections.
Listed Building Consent
Specialised guidance through listed building consent processes. Successfully navigated complex regulations for Category A/B listed properties, ensuring compliance while achieving modernisation goals for private and commercial clients.
Community Development
Community-focused infrastructure projects including pedestrian pathways and scout halls. Works with volunteer groups and local authorities to enhance public spaces while respecting historical and environmental contexts.
People
Chris Matson
Director
Chartered architect with 18+ years' experience in residential and commercial design. Trained at Edinburgh College of Art and Royal Danish Academy. Founded practice in 2016 after decade at Matson Henderson Architects. Specialises in heritage projects and urban regeneration.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialise in?
We focus on residential design, commercial architecture, listed building conservation, urban regeneration, and community infrastructure projects across Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders.
Can you work with listed buildings and conservation areas?
Yes, we have extensive experience securing listed building consents and designing sympathetic extensions/renovations within conservation areas, maintaining historical integrity while modernising spaces.
Do you handle both private and commercial projects?
We work with private homeowners and commercial clients, including hospitality businesses and local authorities, delivering bespoke solutions for both sectors.
What areas do you cover?
Primarily Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, and East Lothian, though we consider projects elsewhere in Scotland requiring specialist heritage or urban design expertise.
Are you a chartered architectural practice?
Yes, we are chartered through the Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland (ARIAS) with director-level membership of RIBA and ARB.
Can you manage full project lifecycles?
We offer end-to-end services from initial concept through planning, listed building consent, design development, and construction phase support.
