Practice

Clear is an ambitious and established architectural practice with studios in Epping Forest and the New Forest.

We are a RIBA Chartered practice renowned for “exceptional” architectural designs and impressive planning permission success rate.

The practice enjoys a varied array of projects; from contemporary residential architecture favoured by the UK’s leading homes magazines, to multi-partner commercial projects involving Grand Houses, Hotels and even an Art Deco Cinema.

From social benefit builds opened by members of the Royal family, to innovative eco/sustainability design concepts that grabbed Kevin McLeod’s attention, Clear Architects has been commended for its design quality by industry titans (such as British Home Awards).

Clear Architects accepts project commissions predominantly across London and the south-east (especially Essex and Hertfordshire) and the New Forest / south-west (especially Hampshire and Wiltshire).

Founded by Melanie Clear in 2005, the practice prides itself on delivering a design through to a completed build.

This takes our clients on a journey from initial concept, through the planning process, all the way through to being on site during construction.

We believe that the best architectural designs are borne from a deep understanding of the site; taking a client’s brief and translating that into a unique building that serves their needs.

This draws on our practice ethos: Successful design is both beautiful and functional.

Clear’s London Architects brings to bear its creative vision on each clients’ individual property, which addresses their specific requirements, whether Residential or Commercial.

"We get immense delight from seeing what started as an idea, emerge from the ground and stand alone on its own merit." Melanie Clear

Awards

WICE Awards
Structural Timber Award
The International Design & Architecture Awards
Don't Move Improve
The Sunday Times British Home Awards
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
New London Architecture
National Custom and Self Build Association

The European Women In Construction & Engineering Awards is the most prestigious event celebrating the achievements of women in these sectors.​ Selected from approximately 350 entries, Melanie Clear was one of the Best Woman Architect Finalists 2018.

Clear Architects’ 40 Hill Road residential project won Gold for their supplier SIPCO at the Structural Timber Awards 2016.

Clear Architects’ residential new-build, Driftwood, was shortlisted in the category of ‘Residential from £1-2.5million’ at The International Design & Architecture Awards 2021

Woodford Road featured in NLA’s Don’t Move Improve 2021 exhibition

Highly Commended for its renovation of Coborn House, Bow, London at The Sunday Times British Home Awards 2013.

Clear Architects was Highly Commended at the RICS East of England Awards for its work on Haven House.

Haven House was highly Commended by the New London Architecture (NLA) Awards in 2015.

Clear Architects was commended for its “radical” coffee cup starter home concept at the “Self Build on a Shoestring” Award, hosted by TV architect Charlie Luxton at Grand Designs Live.

People

Melanie Clear

Melanie Clear

Managing Director and Founder

Melanie Clear founded Clear Architects in 2005. “very proud to have the exciting range of such amazing projects that I have the privilege of working on and putting my…

Melanie Clear
Arron

Arron

Planning Director

Arron Breedon is a Town Planner, with experience in both council and private practice. He has worked in New Zealand; as well as the length and breadth of the nation,…

Arron
Alexa

Alexa

Technical Director

Alexa Kasim joined us from Scotland in the summer of 2015 to assist in leading our dynamic and expanding team.…

Alexa
Ricky

Ricky

Creative Director

Ricky
Andrew

Andrew

Architect

Andrew Singer re-joined the team as a Part II architectural assistant in 2020 having been at Clear, as a Part I in 2016. He did his undergraduate degree at…

Andrew
Trixie

Trixie

Architect

Trixie Bedwei joined the team at the beginning of 2018 having completed her Part I at the University of Brighton. She gained a Distinction in her Masters at the University…

Trixie
Ben

Ben

Part II Architectural Assistant

Ben Webb Obrien…

Ben
Chiara

Chiara

Part I Architectural Assistant

Chiara
Bentley

Bentley

Studio Dog

Bentley joined the Clear team mid-2020, and has been top dog ever since. When he’s not ruling the roost at Clear HQ, he has been known to chew…

Bentley
Studio

Studio

Our workplace

Our studio is designed by us, for us. We have an open plan creative studio space including critique areas, alongside samples and a knowledge wall of books to aid in…

Studio
Partnerships

Partnerships

Collaborative working

We work with a selection of businesses to deliver the very best standard for our projects and for our clients.…

Partnerships
Team Culture

Team Culture

What we value

At Clear, we have created a London-style architectural practice committed to improving the built environment in which we live, work and play. We believe that team culture helps you…

Team Culture
Team Development

Team Development

For our people

As a practice, we invest in our people, from our Part I Assistants to support in professional exams through to individual development and career aspirations. We have a mentorship and…

Team Development
Charitable Challenges

Charitable Challenges

Giving back

Giving back is a key part of our ethos here at Clear Architects, and as a conscientious business, we are very proud of our commitment to supporting charities, both locally…

Charitable Challenges
Menu