What areas does Studio Harrison work in?

Derbyshire and the Peak District predominantly, with regular projects across the wider East and West Midlands, and a number of clients in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Do I need planning permission for my extension or new build?

Most extensions and all new-build homes need either planning permission or, in some cases, a Lawful Development Certificate confirming permission isn't needed — which applies depends on scale, location, and whether the property is listed or in a conservation area.

Do you offer snagging inspections for new-build homes?

Yes — a technologist-led inspection of a newly built home before or shortly after legal completion, checking construction quality and finish against the specification and building regulations.

What's a fabric-first approach to sustainable design?

Treating the building's fabric — insulation, airtightness, glazing, thermal bridging — as the foundation of energy performance, before adding renewable technology on top, in line with Passivhaus and AECB principles.

How long does a typical residential project take?

Usually several months from initial consultation to a full set of construction drawings, plus a further 8 weeks for planning determination on a standard application.

How much does it cost to work with an architectural designer on a home project?

The investment is usually structured either as a percentage of the construction cost or as a fixed fee for each design stage, agreed upfront once the scope is clear.

Old Schoolmaster's

Old Schoolmaster’s

Kirk Langley, Derbyshire, UK

Set within the historic village of Kirk Langley in Derbyshire, Old Schoolmaster’s is the sensitive extension and remodelling of an existing victorian home.

The project presented an opportunity to improve the relationship between the house and its surroundings, introducing a series of carefully considered contemporary interventions while retaining the character and familiarity of the original building.

At the centre of the proposal is a lightweight glazed link, creating a deliberate moment of separation between old and new. Rather than attempting to replicate the existing architecture, the extension is expressed as a distinct but complementary addition, allowing the different periods of the building to remain clearly understood.

Design Brief

The brief was to create additional space better suited to contemporary family life, while preserving the character of the existing property and its relationship with the village setting.

A key part of the project was establishing a stronger connection between the house, the new accommodation and the garden. The new spaces needed to feel naturally integrated into the way the home is used, while allowing the original building to retain its own identity.

The resulting approach combines a carefully proportioned new addition with a restrained glazed connection to the existing house, balancing the need for additional space with an architecture that remains deliberately respectful of what was already there.

Services Studio Harrison provided for this project:

Project Team Assembly
Developing the Brief
Site Survey
Concept Design
3D Visualisation
Planning Permission
Detailed Design
Tender Support
Building Regulations Approval

View of a modern brick house with large windows, a brick patio, and a well-maintained garden with flowers and trees under a clear blue sky.

A brick house with a modern extension featuring large windows and a garden with purple flowers.

Brick house with glass sunroom, garden with purple flowers, and paved patio

A backyard scene with a brick house featuring a glass sunroom, large windows, and a landscaped garden with flowering plants, bushes, and a wooden deck.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, white marble backsplash, and an island with stools. A woman is walking with a drink.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, white marble countertops, and a sleek bronze faucet. Skylight overhead provides natural light.

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