Chartered Surrey Architects
If you’re looking for an architect in Surrey, you’re likely looking for more space,
a better layout, or a property that finally works the way you need it to.
You’re not alone, and you’re not expected to know where to start.
Planning rules, structural details, builder conversations and design decisions can
quickly become overwhelming. But they don’t have to be.
I’m a RIBA Chartered Architect helping residential and commercial clients turn their ideas into well-designed, practical spaces, with clear guidance and communication at every stage.
I understand how daunting a major building project can feel
Reshaping your property is a significant undertaking, and it is natural to feel the weight of it. You know the space could work harder – more light, more room, a layout that suits how you live or work – but the path there is rarely obvious. The questions tend to mount before a single drawing is made:
- What the planners will and won't permit on a property like yours
- How far you can reconfigure or extend before the structure becomes the deciding factor
- What the structural work – steelwork and the like – will add to the cost
- Where the budget is best spent, and what it will genuinely cost to build well
- Whether the architect you appoint will still be involved once the drawings are approved
Good architectural design begins by addressing those questions directly – so the decisions that follow are made with confidence, not guesswork.
The First-Sketch-to-Finished-Build Approach
When you work with the right architect, you gain confidence in your project, the process becomes easier to navigate, and the finished result feels like what you were hoping for – not a compromise you had to settle for.
That is how I can support you. With a background in construction and design, I bring the experience, judgement and practical understanding needed to shape a project that can gain planning approval, be built properly, and deliver the space you set out to create.
As a RIBA Chartered Architect, I guide you through all seven stages, from the first sketch to completion on site, so you always understand what is happening, why it matters and what needs to happen next.
What I can help with
- House extensions
- New build homes
- Loft conversions
- Full house refurbishments
- Basements
- Planning applications
- Listed building work
- Feasibility studies
- Building regulations & construction drawings
- Commercial projects
Not sure which of these best describes your project? Tell me what you would like to achieve, and I will advise on the most sensible way to get there.
Experience that connects design, planning and construction
Composition Design is my RIBA chartered architecture practice. Behind every project sits thirty years of multidisciplinary experience – residential, commercial and leisure, including time spent as a director of a design-and-build practice. It means I understand not only how a building should look, but how it is actually put together.
That matters more than it might sound. Many architects are content to secure planning permission and step away, leaving you to navigate the build alone. I prefer to stay involved through every stage, on site as well as at the drawing board, because the way a design is built is what ultimately determines whether it succeeds.
The result is design you can trust to be buildable: ambitious where it should be, grounded in construction reality, and considered against budget from the very beginning.
Some Of Our Recently Completed Projects
How it works
I study your property
It begins with your enquiry through the contact form. Once I am notified, I review the property and its surroundings – the type of house, its context, and what the planners are likely to allow – so by the time we speak, I already understand what we are working with.
We discuss your plans
A conversation to understand what you would like to achieve and how I can help, usually followed by a visit to see the property in person and talk through your options and the process ahead.
You receive a tailored proposal
Following the visit I prepare a fee proposal suited to your project – whether a fixed fee or a percentage – so the scope and the cost are clear before you commit to anything.
Trusted by homeowners, developers and businesses
We worked with Jonathan on plans for a loft conversion and also a ground-floor kitchen extension. Jonathan was excellent, researching thoroughly for both. From the initial chat we found our ideas were listened to, and Jonathan provided great insight into what we could and couldn't do in terms of our council's restrictions. The process was quick – we had drawings in no time. We were also thankful for the builder recommendations.
We worked with Jonathan on a couple of projects: an initial ground-floor extension, followed by an extension to our first floor. On both occasions, Jonathan provided us with creative options to maximise the use of the space, and the end result has transformed our home. Jonathan was hands-on throughout, from the initial design concepts to managing the planning process, coordinating with the builders and providing practical advice when we needed it. I would highly recommend Jonathan and his team at Composition Design.
Jonathan was our architect and project manager for our home, and we were extremely delighted with the new plans as they suited our needs. From the outset, he showed a remarkable ability to blend creative vision with practical execution – his designs met our aesthetic expectations while adhering to all relevant building codes. When we encountered challenges, Jonathan navigated them with real adaptability, and we were very pleased with how he collaborated with us and the builders to keep everyone aligned. We had a large extension and a loft conversion at the same time, and the completed home exceeded our expectations. If we were ever to build again, I would not hesitate to work with Jonathan.
Chartered architecture across Surrey and South West London
I work with homeowners and developers throughout Surrey and South West London, including:
- Surbiton
- Kingston upon Thames
- Esher
- Oxshott
- Claygate
- Thames Ditton
- Long Ditton
- Berrylands
- New Malden
- Hinchley Wood
- Cobham
- Molesey
- Weybridge
- Richmond
- Wimbledon
- Worcester Park
- Tolworth
- Walton-on-Thames
- Leatherhead
- Epsom
- Guildford
- Woking
- Ascot
- Windsor
- Wandsworth
- Putney
- Merton
Frequently Asked Questions
How do your fees work?
After I have visited your property and understood the brief, I prepare a tailored fee proposal – usually either a fixed fee or a percentage of the build cost, depending on the type and scale of the project. You will know the scope and the cost before committing to anything.
Will I need planning permission?
It depends on the property and what you would like to do. Some work falls under permitted development, while other projects require a full application. One of the first things I do is assess what the planners are likely to allow on your property, so you have a realistic picture from the outset.
Do you stay involved once planning is approved?
Yes. Unlike practices that secure planning permission and step away, I follow all seven RIBA work stages – through detailed construction drawings, tendering, and on site through to completion – so the design is carried through properly and built as intended.
How long does a project take?
Every project is different, but I will give you a realistic sense of timescales early on. The initial design and planning stages typically take a few months; the build itself depends on scope. I will set out the likely programme as part of your proposal.
Can you recommend a builder?
Yes. I work alongside trusted builders and am happy to make recommendations, then coordinate with them throughout the build to keep the project on track and aligned with the design.
Which areas do you cover?
I work with homeowners and developers across Surrey and South West London, including Surbiton, Kingston, Esher and the surrounding towns and villages. If you are unsure whether your property is within my area, simply send an enquiry and I will let you know.
Let's discuss what your property could become
If you are considering an extension, a new build or a thoughtful refurbishment, send an enquiry through the form. I will review your property and come back to you with how I can help and the sensible next steps – the easiest way to get your project moving.
Some of our Projects
