Business Details
Award-Winning Architects in Stroud
We are an established team of architects based in Stroud, in the heart of the Cotswolds. Our award-winning practice specialises in sensitive renovations, bespoke new builds, and thoughtful extensions that reflect both your lifestyle and the character of the landscape. We believe the best architecture comes from truly understanding our clients, which is why we take the time to listen, explore, and guide you from the earliest ideas through planning and construction. Our commitment is to craft innovative, sustainable designs that sit beautifully within their setting, whether that's a listed building renovation, a modern country home, or a contemporary Cotswold extension. We work throughout the region, creating exquisite buildings in Stroud, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Tetbury, Nailsworth, and beyond.Our approach combines rural sensitivity with a passion for community and sustainability, ensuring every project enhances daily life while respecting heritage and place. We are approachable and informal yet highly organised and professional, with a proven track record of delivering complex projects successfully. Our practice has been featured on Grand Designs and has won multiple awards, including RIBA South West Winner. We are committed to achieving the targets set out in the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, embedding sustainability holistically into our design approach.
Services
Architectural Design
Building Renovations
New Builds
Extension Projects
Sustainable Design
Planning Consultation
Highlights and features
- We have over 15 years of experience in Cotswold architectural design
- Our team combines rural sensitivity with innovative design techniques
- We maintain a 95% planning success rate through expert navigation of complex sites
- We pioneered architectural VR and photogrammetry applications for client engagement
- Our sustainability approach aligns with RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge standards
Associations and certifications
- RIBA
What people say
Low impact treehouse design
Award-winning architectural solutions
Excellent planning success rate
Innovative use of technology
Strong sustainability focus
Services
Architectural Design
We create bespoke architectural designs that balance aesthetic appeal with functional requirements. Our process begins with understanding client needs and site context, followed by developing concepts that integrate with the natural landscape. We specialise in contemporary designs that respect historical settings while incorporating modern sustainability standards.
Building Renovations
Our renovation expertise transforms existing structures while preserving their character. We handle listed building upgrades, modernisation of outdated properties, and adaptive reuse projects. Our approach maintains heritage value while improving energy efficiency and meeting contemporary living requirements through careful material selection and innovative design solutions.
New Builds
We design and deliver bespoke new buildings tailored to client specifications and site conditions. Our new build projects range from private residences to commercial venues, always focusing on creating spaces that enhance user experience. We integrate sustainable materials and passive design principles to ensure environmental responsibility and long-term usability.
Extension Projects
We create seamless extensions that enhance property functionality while maintaining architectural integrity. Our expertise includes contemporary additions to historic buildings and space-maximising solutions for challenging sites. We focus on natural light integration, spatial flow improvement, and ensuring new elements complement existing structures in both design and materiality.
Sustainable Design
Sustainability is embedded in all our projects through passive design principles and eco-friendly materials. We implement energy-efficient systems, promote biodiversity, and aim for net-gain outcomes in every development. Our approach considers whole-life carbon impact, using natural ventilation strategies, renewable energy integration, and locally-sourced materials to create environmentally responsible buildings.
People
Tomas Millar
Director
Tomas Millar, co-director of MHWorkshop, brings extensive architectural experience and creative leadership to the practice. With a deep understanding of rural contexts and sustainable design, he has been recognised for innovative approaches to architectural challenges and was appointed Creative Director for a major RIBA event.
Tom Howard
Director
Tom Howard, co-director and architect, specialises in transforming complex requirements into elegant building solutions. With expertise in planning negotiations and sustainable design, he has led award-winning projects including the Dursley Treehouse featured on Grand Designs. He combines technical proficiency with a client-focused approach to deliver successful outcomes.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialise in?
We specialise in residential and commercial architectural design, renovations, new builds, and extensions with a focus on sustainability and contextual sensitivity across the Cotswolds region.
How do you approach sustainable design?
Sustainability is integral to our process, incorporating passive design principles, natural materials, energy efficiency strategies, and biodiversity enhancement to meet RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge standards.
Can you help with listed building renovations?
Yes, we have extensive experience working with listed buildings, balancing heritage preservation with modern functionality through careful material selection and planning expertise.
What areas do you cover?
While based in Stroud, we work throughout the Cotswolds including Cirencester, Cheltenham, Tetbury, Nailsworth, and surrounding areas for architectural projects of all scales.
How do you handle complex planning applications?
We employ a strategic approach to planning, with a 95% success rate in securing permissions for challenging sites through early consultation and evidence-based design solutions.
What makes your practice different?
Our unique combination of rural sensitivity, technical innovation including VR visualisation, and deep local knowledge enables us to deliver award-winning architectural solutions tailored to client needs.
Videos
