About
Clear Architects is an ambitious, established and fast-growing architectural practice based in Loughton, Essex.
Our design ethos is that successful architecture must have form and function, work inside and out.
Clear Architects is a RIBA Chartered practice renowned for its “exceptional” architectural designs and impressive planning permission success rate.
Whilst the practice has completed many high-end Residential projects; it has also been highly commended on Commercial and Social Benefit builds, as well as its innovative Eco/Sustainability design concepts, by industry titans (such as British Home Awards).
We work predominantly across London, Essex and Hertfordshire.
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 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
Clear Architects’ 40 Hill Road residential project won Gold for their supplier SIPCO at the Structural Timber Awards 2016.
People
Melanie Clear
Managing Director and Founder
Melanie Clear founded Clear Architects in 2005. “It is still hard for me to believe – years on – that I have my own architectural practice and, beyond that, the exciting…
James
Associate Director
James Mors is our first Associate Director at Clear Architects and leads our enthusiastic team. Born, bred and educated in Liverpool, James developed an early interest in design.…
Alexa
Associate Director
Alexa Kasim joined us from Scotland in the summer of 2015 to assist in leading our dynamic and expanding team.…
Bruno
Architect
Bruno joined the team in 2016. Having gained design and technical experience in Spain, Bruno brings new ideas to the studio. Bruno believes "that attention to detail, enthusiasm…
John
Technologist
John has over 7 years’ experience in various sectors including interior and landscape design, listed buildings and yachts. John considers that "architecture is the art and science of…
Ricky
Part II Architectural Assistant
Ricky re-joined the practice in the summer, as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant, having completed his Diploma at University of Westminster under our sponsorship programme. Contact Ricky directly on…
Arron
Town Planner
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,…
Johannah
Part I Architectural Assistant
Johannah studied at the University of Brighton and joins us as our Part 1 Architectural Assistant for the year. Johannah believes that “ Architecture is a creative and collaborative…
Trusted Partners
Our
At Clear Architects we work with a selection of exceptional trusted partners to deliver the very best standard of service.…
Team Culture
What we value
At Clear Architects, 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…
Team Development
For Staff
We as a practice invest in our people from our Part 1 Assistants to support in professional exams through to individual development and career aspirations. We have a mentorship and…
Process
Many people find the architectural process daunting or convoluted, yet it doesn’t need to be.
The RIBA Plan of Work 2013 provides an industry-recognised, step-by-step guide for all those involved in the briefing, designing and constructing of architectural buildings.
At Clear Architects, we have incorporated the RIBA Plan of Work into our own 4-step process for all our projects – see it in full, below.
We believe this clarifies what is involved in the architectural process and demystifies it for those who are not in the industry.
1 Consultation
Contact and Consultation
When you contact Clear Architects, one of our team will ask some key details about you and the project. An architect will contact you to discuss in more detail your individual brief and make an appointment to view the building/site in person.
The aim of this first visit is to identify any potential planning issues and assess the site itself. If it is a refurbishment project, the aim will include considering the ‘flow’ of space and light in the building, as well as considering practicalities involved in the project such as site access.
This is also the beginning of a working relationship, so an opportunity for you to ask any questions or raise any concerns about the process ahead. Most importantly it is to discuss the brief or help you to formulate one that addresses your needs.
Fee Proposal and Stages of Work
Following the consultation we will issue you with a letter of appointment that serves as a contract between us. The letter outlines the key stages of work that relate specifically to your project and the associated fees. Each project is unique and therefore so are its requirements.
Please note our fees relate to the RIBA stages and are calculated on the scope of services identified from the first consultation The proposal includes any other consultants that may be required and survey requirement to enable the designs to develop. It’s a very explanatory letter.
Budget
Please note at the beginning of a project we will ask; are we to design to budget or to brief? The difference being if you design to a budget you may not be able to achieve the brief.
Most commonly clients ask for the brief to be met and we can then work with clients at Stage 3 when tender cost returns on value engineering (reducing price by reducing or amending the design; which may incur further designs fees).
Survey(s)
There are a number of surveys that may be required for your project. As standard, what is called a dimensional building survey will be undertaken for all whether for new build or re-modelling. There may be requirement for a level survey (known as topographical) or arboricultural (tree) surveys to help us formulate the design accordingly.
2 Concept & Planning
Planning Permission
In Stage 2, initial concept designs are developed, and once signed off by you, are formulated into a comprehensive planning application. Clear Architects will then submit this to the relevant local council on your behalf and monitor the application with the relevant case officer.
Planning application decisions take a minimum of eight weeks to process once validated by the council. There is an external council fee for planning applications, which ranges from £172 for an extension to £385 for a new build.
Unbiased Planning Permission
This is an independent, unbiased process undertaken by either the local planning department or, if necessary, the local planning committee.
Therefore, while no architect can guarantee your application will be successful, Clear Architects has a fantastic record of more than 80% success on its planning applications – Notably, this includes its work on projects within the protected ‘Green Belt’, and on Listed building and Conservation projects.
Minimise Design Changes
Think of your project like a Rubik’s Cube; every change you make has a knock-on effect. How you want to use the space can have implications on what decisions you make in other areas of the house and can have repercussions on your project time-frame and budget.
For this reason, before progressing to the planning submission stage it is very important that you are happy with your design down to the little details. Any subsequent design changes once you have gained planning permission approval may result in needing to make further, amended planning permission applications.
3 Technical Design
This is the Detailed Design stage of the project, which can commence once planning permission approval has been granted.
By the end of this stage, all aspects of the design will be completed ready to gain a construction cost. Your design is effectively ‘built’ on paper.
Procurement
Based on the detailed design, we work on one of two procurement routes, depending on your preference. Either a quote and final price negotiation with our preferred contractor for your specific project, or we undertake a traditional tender process whereby three construction companies tender for the work.
You will already have been advised about any other consultants – including structural engineers or services engineers – or specialists whose services will be needed in order to develop the detailed design of your specific build, and any associated fees. You can view some of our Trusted Partners by clicking here.
Tender
Once the procurement route is agreed with you, the tender costs are returned and we evaluate them, advising you of our thoughts once completed. It is obviously important that we get the building to site with costs that you are happy to progress with.
You can expect for work to commence on site knowing around 85% of the overall costs. This is because details such as finishes may not be known or the subsequent cost of items. This is perfectly normal in construction and the cost of the project can be adjusted once definitive decision have been made by you on such items.
4 Construction
On Site
Starting work on site is a really exciting milestone for any project, whether renovation or new build. We enjoy working closely with contractors to ensure the design concept is executed with precision and any snagging issues on-site are ironed out quickly.
The appointed contractor will work from another set of drawings we produce, which add interior details and client requirements that may not necessarily have been known at the time of the tender.
While these drawings co-ordinate everything, Clear Architects is typically appointed to administer the building contract and oversee construction, making it an even more fluid process. This is designed to give clients peace of mind, providing a valuation of the works on site and payment certificates, which means you only pay for what the contractor has actually delivered on site, work which has been verified and signed off by us.
Project Management
Project management is an additional service offered by Clear Architects to ensure the smooth running of the project and to integrate the contracting team with your exact needs outside the contract. This takes the pressure off you, the client, to manage elements of the build (such as materials or kitchens) to be delivered to the site within the program and the design.
Completion
After the flurry of activity and having embarked on this exciting journey with us, you will find yourself at the final milestone.
Whether a Residential or Commercial project, a refurbishment, a new-build or restoration, you will have a unique, well-crafted, architect-designed building that is both functional and beautiful – and something you feel very proud of.
