Thinking of Self-Building?
At BCAE Architects, we are your dedicated partners in turning this dream into reality. Our role goes beyond traditional architecture; we work hand-in-hand with clients on their self-build projects, offering tailored guidance, creative expertise, and practical insights. From the initial sketches to the final construction, we ensure that every aspect of your self-built home reflects your unique vision, lifestyle, and aspirations.
Many of our clients are self-building their own properties, either project managing the build, building the property themselves or appointing a main contractor to undertake the project. Our clients have varying budgets, styles and priorities so every brief is tailored to each individual client. If you’re considering a self-build of any kind give us a call and we can help you take the next steps.
Ready to unlock the potential of your project?
Are you looking to start your self-build journey?
Undertaking a new build and stamping your own individuality on every aspect of the design can be an overwhelming challenge and a never-ending struggle. You may feel concerned about meeting your programme targets, achieving profitability or staying within your budget.
At BCAE Architects, we're here to guide you through the exciting process of bringing your dream home to life. Embarking on a self-build project is a unique and rewarding experience, and our team is dedicated to making it a seamless and enjoyable journey for you. Whether you have a clear vision in mind or are seeking inspiration, we offer personalised architectural solutions that cater to your specific needs, preferences, and budget.
If you’re considering a self-build of any kind give us a call and we can help you take the next steps.
A home designed around you
From eco-friendly designs to innovative energy-efficient technologies, we are passionate about creating homes that not only reflect your individual style but also prioritise sustainability. Let us be your partners in turning your vision into reality, and together, we'll build a home that is as unique as you are.
Whether you're a self-builder creating your dream home or an established property developer working on multiple residences, we are here to guide you through every stage of the design and construction process. From navigating planning permissions and building regulations to aiding in contractor selection and overseeing construction, we provide comprehensive support.
Unlock the potential of your land
Your brief should not only think about the building but also what is special about the site. There’s always something that makes a site special:
Is it a view into, out of or through the site?
Is it an existing built feature or tree?
What about the topography or a site slope?
Does that mean you want a particular internal or external activity to be in a particular spot on the site or looking out onto a particular view?
Ensuring every detail of your self-build is covered
We love being your partners from start to finish. From brainstorming innovative ideas to navigating the intricacies of the planning process, we're with you every step of the way. Our involvement extends to crafting detailed drawings, aiding in builder selection, acting as contract administrators, and providing supportive guidance throughout construction.
Your team is fundamental to the projects success and will include almost all of the following; architects, planning consultants, landscape architects, structural engineers sustainability consultants, topographical surveyors, arboricultural consultants and others depending on the devlopment criteria.
At BCAE Architects, we have a network of trusted consultants so we can help guide you all of the way. For an initial consultation about your project contact us and we can help you take the next steps.
"Arron has been an fantastic support since we embarked upon our renovation. He was on hand to answer all our questions and made the design process really enjoyable. We were looking for an architect who would make suggestions and challenge us and Arron certainly did that. Our final design is incredible and we are so excited to see it come to life. We couldn't recommend BCAE more."
Naomi & Jack | Glen Avenue
Here to help
At BCAE Architects, we love being your partners from start to finish. From brainstorming innovative ideas to navigating the intricacies of the planning process, we’re with you every step of the way. Our involvement extends to crafting detailed drawings, aiding in builder selection, acting as contract administrators, and providing supportive guidance throughout construction
Virtual reality
Ever watched Your Home Made Perfect? We’ll present you with a complete building design. You’ll not only see what it looks like but also feel its essence and grasp the scale of each space (through our VR headsets). You’ll be able to see how light interacts with different spaces, and understand the dimensions of each space. It’s the moment where your vision transforms into a tangible and visually compelling architectural plan.
Reducing costs
Our highly detailed approach to architectural drawings and documentation aims to control the quality of the final build, by nailing all of these things early, we avoid unexpected costs, unforeseen delays and other not-so-pleasant surprises during the build. As experienced architects, we’ve worked firsthand with a variety of building specialists, helping us to build a trusted network of reliable contractors.
Adding value to your projects
We specialise in bespoke residential architecture at varying scales and project costs, working with new and existing buildings throughout the North-West and UK. We also welcome projects for innovative commercial developments.
Both of us studied together during our undergraduate degrees and have remained friends ever since. In 2022, we started BCAE Architects together after an influx of exciting projects into what was back then, Ben Craven Architects. Since then, the practice has gone from strength to strength with both Ben and Arron brining a differing yet complementary skillset to the table.
Alongside Ben & Arron, we have a team of brilliant designers and we work with a bunch of carefully selected collaborators and consultants who help make our clients dreams a reality. Learn more
We specialise in bespoke residential architecture at varying scales and project costs, working with new and existing buildings throughout the North-West and UK. We also welcome projects for innovative commercial developments.
Both of us studied together during our undergraduate degrees and have remained friends ever since. In 2022, we started BCAE Architects together after an influx of exciting projects into what was back then, Ben Craven Architects. Since then, the practice has gone from strength to strength with both Ben and Arron brining a differing yet complementary skillset to the table.
Alongside Ben & Arron, we have a team of brilliant designers and we work with a bunch of carefully selected collaborators and consultants who help make our clients dreams a reality. Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Architects design, draw and envisage your ideas and aspirations. As a practice we believe in collaboration between client and designer. No matter what the project is, it is our job to advise, create solutions and portray ideas to both clients, the entire design team, builders and contractors.
Architects ensure that your ideas and visions are represented onto paper. We look at building regulations from the earliest stage to make sure designs are compliant with legislation and most importantly, we are here to provide advice on any related matters and help you stay within your budget.
We also have a network of other consultants and builders that we work with and can we help manage the project for you.
We would say its one of your first appointments when thinking about your project. The earlier the better! As a practice we often start with a free consultation to get a better understanding of your project requirements and then we move on through to the design stages should you appoint us.
It's important to remember that as soon as we are appointed, we are here to help and provide any advice you may need.
If its your first project or you have done projects before. Our aim is to make the process as enjoyable as possible.
As soon as you have an idea. Every iteration, every design, every thought is put onto paper. It's easier to make changes on paper than on site!
We work in 2D, 3D and use VR Headsets to test everything we design. Through architectural drawings and 3D visualisation we can explore the site and building together. We see the site as a whole. It's about the experience, the approach, the journey.
Everything we produce is conveyed to the client. Even the VR!
Your initial meeting will be held either at your home or in our office. At the initial meeting we will discuss your requirements, ideas, concepts and our experience in relation to them.
It's an important step, after all, you will be working with your Architect closely and we feel that open communication and collaboration is a key part of coming to the right solution.
The right budget for the job depends on the scope of the project, the materials, labour requirements, VAT and many other factors. No matter the budget we always look to stick within them when producing designs.
We have good relationships with builders and cost consultants to help along the way too.
Our design process is split into 2 stages. Stage 2 - Concept and Stage 3 - Developed Design.
Upon appointment we will often take a detailed brief of your exact requirements and discuss what is important to you. Following this, we produce a number of different options both in plan and 3D where we look at how spaces interact with each other, the journey within the building and how the proposal will look. We explore materials and design in depth at this stage. We then present all of the options to you during a face to face meeting.
Following our meeting, we will then work up a near final design based on everything we have discussed. We will then get you in for a final meeting to make any final design tweaks.
Once we reach a point where we are all happy with the design and layouts, we then submit the final scheme drawings for planning.
This often comes down to project complexity, decision making time, local authorities and many other factors.
We will usually outline a timeframe during our initial meeting once we have more information about the project.
Every project is unique and there is never a one size fits all approach.
Initially you may require a topographical or building survey, along with ecological surveys and reports. We will advise if we think these are needed.
Once we have worked up the design it is often a good idea to engage with a builder or contractor who may be able to provide some initial costings for the project. Cost consultants are also a good idea if you are keen to figure out your exact costs as early as possible.
Other team members such as Structural Engineers, MEP, SAP and others often come after the planning permission is granted.
The number of other consultants you will need is project dependant and we will discuss this during our initial meeting.
Once we have produced the Technical Design, we enter into a tendering process with a number of builders or contractors to establish costs, relationships and timescales.
Once a builder has been picked and any relevant planning conditions have been discharged, the building work can start.
BCAE are happy to support during the build process and can be appointed to project manage should this be a requirement.
Part of our service is to guide you through the planning process and deal with any planning requirements and planning queries during the decision period.
Our plans and designs are informed by both national and local planning guidance but as a practice we always look to go over and above to create high quality architecture which is fit for purpose, eye catching and positively adds to its surrounding area.
