Speak to a member of the team today

Tel: 01328 801536
Email: info@voidarchitecture.co.uk

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Architectural Services for House Extensions, New Builds & Self Build Projects in Norfolk

Expert guidance from your first idea to the finished building

Whether you’re extending your home, planning a self-build, converting a barn, or developing a commercial site, VOID Architecture handles every stage of the process from the first sketch through to planning permission, building regulations and construction. Based in Norfolk, we work with homeowners, self-builders and developers across Norfolk, North Norfolk and Norwich. Our services cover every stage of the process: concept design, feasibility, planning applications, building regulations, 3D visualisations, and full project management. We work with homeowners, self-builders, commercial developers, and community organisations across Norfolk and the wider region.
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our process

Ideas. Everything starts with an idea. We sit down with you to understand exactly what you would like to do and create a design brief to work from.

Design. Armed with a brief, we set about turning your ideas into designs that work for you. Our design process involves everything from hand-drawn sketches to 3D walkthroughs that provide you with a visual representation of your thoughts.

Application. Once the final design is approved, we prepare and submit all necessary applications for your project on your behalf, monitoring your application and resolving any queries where necessary.

Manage. We liaise with local builders and invite them to formally tender for undertaking approved works. We acquire fixed fee estimates, time commitments and building costs for project completion.

With over 50 years of combined experience, our team handles a broad range of residential and commercial work, including:
  • Renovations & remodelling
  • Extensions of all forms
  • Loft and Garage Conversions
  • Annexes, studios, garden rooms, garages and outbuildings
  • Works to and on Heritage buildings and assets, including listed buildings
  • New residential dwellings (bespoke one-offs and housing development sites)
  • Affordable housing developments
  • Certified Passivhaus and zero-carbon homes (new and existing)
  • Paragraph 80 dwellings
  • Rural workers housing
  • Agricultural buildings
  • Commercial buildings (new and extensions)
  • Village halls and community buildings (new and extensions)
  • Hospitality (extensions, alterations and new build)
  • Barn conversions, including class Q conversions
  • Schools (extensions, alterations and new build)

Project Management

As an architectural practice, we can assist and lead you fully through the construction process, from sourcing a trusted builder/contractor, to project management and administering the building contracts. The process would include:

  •  Preparing contract documents for execution
  •  Administering change control procedures
  •  Seeking instructions from the client in relation to the contract
  •  Issuing instructions such as variations or relating to prime cost sums or making good to defects
  •  Considering claims
  •  Chairing construction progress meetings
  •  Preparing and issuing construction progress reports
  •  Agreeing on commissioning and testing procedures
  •  Agreeing defects reporting procedures
  •  Ensuring that project documentation is issued to the client
  •  Issuing certificates of practical completion and interim certificates
  •  Collating and issuing schedules of defects
  •  Issuing the certificate of making good defects
  •  Issuing the final certificate
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FEASIBILITY STUDIES

An architectural feasibility study helps clients assess the merit of a potential investment. We can explore various options for a particular site and advise whether the idea is likely to gain planning permission. This will help you to decide if the project will be financially viable and whether or not the investment as a whole is worth the time.

Computer Visualisations

Using three-dimensional software such as Sketchup and BIM, our client’s dreams can be produced into a 3D visual model, providing a simple, easy-to-read photo-realistic concept.

 

The model can then be laid out on paper and produced for application submissions. These models are beneficial in assisting local planning authorities to understand the proposed design intent and often alleviate a majority of their typical concerns.

south creake village pub renovation

We're a dynamic architectural practice based in Norfolk, specialising in creating innovative and sustainable design solutions

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FULL MEASURED SURVEY

A measured building survey accurately represents your building, showing all the structural elements and architectural features. Floor plans are essential to represent the building accurately, and this is backed up with elevations and cross-sections presented as scaled survey drawings. Our technical capability in this area is second to none, and we will only proceed to this level of detail once you have engaged us to work on your project.

PRE-APPLICATIONS

We offer support with Planning Pre-Applications as part of our early-stage architectural services. A pre-application submission is a valuable step that helps determine whether the principle of development is likely to be supported by the local planning authority, before committing time and resources to a full planning application.

 

Unlike a full application, which requires comprehensive detail, a pre-app focuses on the broader acceptability of a proposal, such as use, scale, layout, and context, rather than its final appearance or technical specifics. This early dialogue can highlight potential issues, unlock opportunities, and inform a more efficient and strategic design process moving forward.

 

Engaging in the pre-app process helps de-risk projects, shape realistic expectations, and can often lead to smoother planning outcomes.

Planning Applications

Planning permission can transform the value of land and can create development opportunities. It can be a protracted experience fraught with uncertainty — but the potential gain usually outweighs the pain. We can assist with this, and our advice can help you avoid common, costly mistakes in the process. We have considerable experience in the planning process.

 

Local Authorities can advise clients on the formulation and submission of a range of different planning applications, including Householder, Conservation, Listed Building, Outline to Full applications for residential and commercial.

BUILDING REGULATIONS APPLICATIONS

We can prepare all drawings, specifications and, where necessary, calculations for structure, thermal, water consumption, and the like and submit for checking and approval on your behalf. In this way, we help avoid contravening the building regulations and thus avert potentially costly delays for your project.

Conceptual Sketching

As part of our early design process, we provide Conceptual Sketching to explore and communicate initial ideas quickly and effectively. This stage is about testing possibilities, not producing finished designs, and is fundamental to establishing the overall vision for a project.

 

Using freehand drawings, massing studies, and diagrammatic layouts, we investigate spatial relationships, form, and site response in a fluid and intuitive way. These sketches allow for rapid iteration and meaningful client input before progressing to more formal architectural drawings.

Conceptual sketching enables creative freedom while grounding early discussions in real, visual outcomes — ensuring the project starts with clarity, imagination, and shared understanding.

WORKING DRAWINGS & DETAILING

Working drawings provide dimensioned and graphical information that can be used by:

– Contractor to construct the works 

– Suppliers to fabricate components of the works 

– Assemble or install components

They may include architectural drawings, structural drawings, civil drawings, mechanical drawings, electrical drawings and so on. Our working drawings typically comprise two-dimensional orthogonal projections of the building or component they describe, such as plans, sections, and elevations. These are drawn to scale using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. Three-dimensional or BIM working drawings can also be produced if required.

360 Images

We offer high-quality 360° image capture to give you a fully immersive view of your building or site. These interactive images allow you to look around a space as if you were standing within it providing far more context than standard photography.

Why it matters during design;

  • Clearer understanding of existing spaces without repeat site visits
  • More accurate design decisions from the outset
  • Improved collaboration with clients, consultants, and contractors
  • Enhanced planning submissions, supporting drawings and 3D visuals

Integrated into our process

Used alongside our surveys and design development, 360° imagery helps ensure clarity and confidence at every stage of your project.

FAQs

Yes. We prepare and submit planning applications on your behalf householder, conservation area, listed building, outline, and full applications. We monitor the application throughout and deal with any queries from the local planning authority.

A feasibility study helps you understand whether your project is likely to gain planning permission and whether it makes financial sense before you commit to full design work. It’s particularly useful for more complex or uncertain sites. We’d recommend it if you’re not sure whether your idea is viable it can save a lot of time and money further down the line.

Yes. We use software including Sketchup and BIM to produce 3D models and photo-realistic visuals of proposed designs. These help clients understand what their project will look like before anything is built, and they’re also useful when submitting planning applications.

es. We offer full project management services from sourcing and tendering to contractors, through to administering the building contract, chairing progress meetings, and issuing certificates of completion. You can have as much or as little involvement from us during the build as you’d like.

Building regulations are separate from planning permission. They ensure the building is structurally sound, thermally efficient, and safe. We prepare all the necessary drawings and specifications and submit on your behalf. It’s not something you need to manage yourself.

We can support you through a pre-application submission to the local planning authority before committing to a full application. This early dialogue can highlight potential issues and increase the chances of a smooth planning outcome. It’s a step worth taking on more complex or sensitive sites.

We’re based near Fakenham but work with clients right across Norfolk, from King’s Lynn and Holt to Norwich and the coast. Distance from our office isn’t a barrier we visit every site in person and manage the project from there, get in touch and we’ll talk through yours.

It depends on the scale and complexity of the project. We’ll always give you a clear fixed fee for the design and planning work before you commit to anything. Get in touch with a brief description of what you’re looking to do and we’ll come back with a straight answer.

Areas We cover

Based in Pensthorpe, near Fakenham, VOID Architecture works with clients right across Norfolk. From King’s Lynn and the West Norfolk coast to Norwich and the Broads. We’re well established along the North Norfolk coast, with completed projects in and around Holt, Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, Burnham Market and Hunstanton, and further west around King’s Lynn, including Snettisham, Downham Market, Stoke Ferry and Whittington. Wherever you’re based in the county, we can visit your site and manage your project from there.

Starting a new project?

Speak to the Void Architecture team today about your new project. Fill out the form below or call the office on 01328 801536.

  • void guarantee

1. Highest Professional Standards: Void Architecture are a CIAT Chartered Practice, fully audited annually, working to the highest industry standards, with the greatest industry knowledge and continual professional development throughout the team
2. Responsive and Client Focused: Void Architecture are committed to respond to your call, enquiry or query within 48hrs (or sooner where possible). This means you can progress your project quickly! We proactively respond to site queries when they are made to avoid site and programme delays.

3. Friendly and Helpful: From our first interaction to the last, we are committed to provide you with a friendly, welcoming and helpful services throughout your journey with us. We assist our clients through every appointed stage.

4. Detailed Documentation and Drawings: Void Architecture are committed to provide you with quality services and documentation, which in turn will often mean reduced client headaches once on site and the build programme should be smoother. Providing high quality drawings from the off greatly reduces the risk of variations during the building phase, contractor variations or unknowns and cost variations, giving you peace of mind about your budget!

5. Proactive Updates: We keep our client’s updated and informed throughout their journey with us, including updates on all critical phases of the project. You will know where we are at during each phase to avoid constant chasing emails or calls.

Meet The Team