Surbiton Architects
If you are looking for an architect in Surbiton, then chances are you are looking for more space, a better layout, or a property that finally works the way you need it to.
Planning rules, structural questions, builder conversations and design decisions can quickly feel overwhelming. But you are not alone.
With my practice right here in Surbiton, I am perfectly located to support you and be on hand. I'm a local RIBA Chartered Architect that helps homeowners and developers turn their ideas into well-designed, practical spaces, with clear guidance and support at every stage.
I understand how daunting a major building project feels
Making big changes to your property is a significant undertaking, and it is natural to feel the weight of it. Whether you are in a Victorian villa near St Mark's Hill, an Edwardian home off Claremont Gardens, or a riverside property by the Thames Path, the worries and concerns are the same and you know that your space could work harder. Are you questioning any of the following:
- What Kingston Council will and won't permit on a property like yours
- How a conservation area or period features affect what you can do
- 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
- Whether the architect you appoint will stay involved once the drawings are approved
If any of these resonate – I can help. My architectural design begins by addressing these kinds of 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 entire 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 (if required) can gain planning approval through Kingston Council, 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. We'll work together from the ideation phase all the way through to the end result.
What I can help with in Surbiton
- House extensions
- New build homes
- Loft conversions
- Full house refurbishments
- Basement conversions
- Period property restoration
- Planning applications
- Listed building work
- Feasibility studies
- Building regulations & construction drawings
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.
Architecture for every kind of Surbiton property
Surbiton is wonderfully varied, and so is the work I take on – from contemporary family homes to commercial premises, period properties and luxury homes.
Residential architecture
Contemporary extensions, loft and basement conversions, refurbishments, interiors and new build homes – from modern family spaces to luxury homes, across Surbiton's Victorian villas and 1930s streets alike.
Commercial architecture
Considered, practical design for commercial premises and mixed-use schemes, shaped around how the space needs to work and what Kingston Council will support.
Listed & period buildings
Sensitive work to listed buildings and properties within Surbiton's conservation areas, blending period character with the comfort, interiors and function of a modern home.
A Surbiton architect who connects design, planning and construction
Composition Design is my RIBA chartered architecture practice, based on Victoria Road in the heart of Surbiton. 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 have your address, I take a look at the property and its surroundings – the type of house, its context, and what Kingston Council is likely to allow – so I am already informed when we speak.
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 Surbiton 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.
Based in Surbiton, working across the local area
My practice is based on Victoria Road, just off Surbiton High Street, and I've lived locally for over thirty years. I know the area and its housing stock well – the Victorian and Edwardian streets of central Surbiton, the 1930s homes around the station and Ewell Road, the riverside properties along the Thames Path and Hogsmill River, and the conservation areas at St Mark's Hill and Surbiton Town Centre. Being local means I am only a short drive from your project, and familiar with how Kingston Council approaches planning here.
As well as Surbiton and its KT5 and KT6 postcodes, I regularly work with clients in the surrounding areas, all a short drive away:
- Tolworth
- Berrylands
- Long Ditton
- Thames Ditton
- Hinchley Wood
- New Malden
- Worcester Park
- Kingston upon Thames
- Esher
- Molesey
Surbiton Architects: Frequently Asked Questions
How do Surbiton's conservation areas affect my project?
Within conservation areas such as St Mark's Hill and Surbiton Town Centre, there are tighter controls on alterations, materials and anything affecting the streetscape. It does not mean you cannot improve your home – it means the design has to be handled sensitively. I assess these constraints early and prepare the supporting information Kingston Council expects, so your application stands the best chance of approval.
Will I need planning permission in Surbiton?
It depends on the property and what you would like to do. Some work falls under permitted development, while other projects – particularly in conservation areas or on listed buildings – require a full application. One of the first things I do is assess what is likely to be allowed on your property, so you have a realistic picture from the outset.
How long does planning permission take with Kingston Council?
Straightforward householder applications typically take around eight to ten weeks once submitted, though conservation area and listed building consents can take longer. I will give you a realistic sense of timescales for your specific project, and prepare a thorough application to avoid unnecessary delays.
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.
Do you work on commercial and listed buildings as well as homes?
Yes. Alongside residential work, I take on commercial projects and listed building work, drawing on thirty years of multidisciplinary experience across residential, commercial and leisure schemes.
Can you recommend a builder?
Yes. I work alongside trusted builders familiar with Surbiton's housing stock and am happy to make recommendations, then coordinate with them throughout the build to keep the project on track and aligned with the design.
Let's discuss what your Surbiton property could become
If you are considering an extension, a new build, a refurbishment or work to a period or listed property, 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.