Business Details
Award-Winning Architectural Design in Cheltenham
Established by Toby Coombes and John Everitt, our practice combines over four decades of post-RIBA experience to deliver innovative architectural solutions across residential and commercial sectors. Based in the Cotswolds, we specialise in transforming spaces through bespoke contemporary designs, period property renovations, and large-scale developments. Our team of ten RIBA-accredited professionals prioritises client collaboration, evidenced by award-winning projects like the Withington housing development and Cheltenham school refurbishment.We integrate sustainable principles, including Passivhaus standards and Part O compliance, while maintaining technical excellence in planning applications and heritage conservation. With recognition as Gloucestershire's leading chartered practice, we balance creative vision with practical execution to create functional, future-ready spaces.
Services
Concept Design
Planning Applications
Heritage Conservation
Sustainable Architecture
BIM Modelling
Interior Design
CDM Compliance
Passivhaus Certification
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of RIBA-accredited architectural experience
- Our team includes specialists in heritage conservation and sustainable design
- We deliver award-winning projects with proven planning approval success
- Our practice combines creative vision with technical expertise in Part O compliance
- We provide end-to-end project management from feasibility to completion
Associations and certifications
- RIBA Chartered Practice
- Passivhaus Trust
What people say
Beyond our expectations
Incredible views
Amazing idea
Vision
Award-winning
Services
Concept Design
Our concept design service creates tailored architectural visions through collaborative client workshops. We produce feasibility studies and 3D visualisations to explore spatial possibilities, ensuring alignment with planning constraints and budget parameters. This foundational stage establishes the project's aesthetic and functional direction.
Planning Applications
We manage full planning submissions including heritage impact assessments and visualisations. Our team secures approvals for complex sites, demonstrated by recent successes in AONBs and listed building projects. We maintain 95% approval rates through early stakeholder engagement and technical compliance.
Heritage Conservation
Specialist conservation services preserve architectural heritage while introducing modern functionality. We secure Listed Building Consent through detailed historical analysis and sympathetic material selection, recently completing Grade II listed school refurbishments and Cotswold barn transformations.
Sustainable Architecture
We integrate Passivhaus principles and renewable energy solutions to achieve net-zero carbon targets. Our Part O-compliant designs optimise thermal performance through dynamic modelling, reducing energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort across residential and commercial developments.
BIM Modelling
Building Information Modelling enhances project coordination through 3D digital representations. This service improves cost accuracy and construction sequencing, particularly valuable for complex projects requiring multi-disciplinary coordination and lifecycle management planning.
People
Toby Coombes
Co-founder, Director and Architect
With 20+ years' experience since 2000, Toby specialises in residential architecture and sustainable design. He leads project teams through technical challenges while maintaining design integrity.
John Everitt
Co-founder, Director and Architect
John brings extensive commercial sector expertise, managing complex developments from feasibility to completion. His focus on client collaboration ensures projects meet both functional and aesthetic requirements.
Mike Court
Associate Director and Architect
Specialising in heritage projects, Mike oversees conservation work on listed buildings. He combines traditional techniques with modern sustainability standards to preserve architectural legacy.
Paul Allen
Senior Architectural Technician
Paul provides technical leadership across projects, ensuring regulatory compliance and constructability. His expertise in detailing contributes to the practice's high-quality built outcomes.
Lloyd Northend
Architect
Lloyd focuses on residential projects, delivering innovative solutions for contemporary living spaces. He specialises in using BIM to enhance design coordination and construction efficiency.
Questions
What architectural services do you offer?
We provide full architectural services including concept design, planning applications, heritage conservation, sustainable design, BIM modelling, and construction phase support.
Do you work on listed buildings?
Yes, we specialise in listed building projects, having secured Listed Building Consent for multiple heritage sites including Cheltenham schools and Cotswold barns.
Are you experienced in sustainable architecture?
Our practice is a Passivhaus Trust member with expertise in net-zero carbon design, renewable energy integration, and Part O-compliant thermal performance solutions.
Can you handle complex planning applications?
We have a 95% success rate with planning approvals, including challenging sites in AONBs and Green Belt areas through strategic consultant collaboration.
What sectors do you specialise in?
We work across residential (contemporary homes, developments), commercial, and education sectors with particular expertise in heritage and sustainable design.
How do you ensure project quality?
Our RIBA-chartered team follows rigorous quality assurance processes, combining technical excellence with regular client reviews at every project stage.
