ArchEvolve

11/09/2026

"Do I need planning permission?" It's the first question almost every homeowner asks us. And it's the wrong place to start.

There's no universal answer in West Sussex. Horsham District, Chichester District, and the South Downs National Park each work to different policy priorities. Postcode, site constraints, and design intent all change the answer.

That's why our Stage 1 work comes first. A proper feasibility study tests the brief against the site, the budget, and the local plan. Often it reveals the scheme either needed no full application at all, or could secure far more space than planned.

The real first question is whether your design actually fits the site.

Feasibility first. Planning second 📐

10/09/2026

Render, stone, timber… or a combination of all three?
The materials you choose can completely transform the appearance and character of your home.

While samples and mood boards are useful, they rarely show how different finishes will work together across an entire property. That's where CGI visualisations become invaluable.

These images explore several material palettes for the same architectural design, allowing the client to compare different combinations of render, stone, timber cladding and window colours before making any final decisions. It provides confidence that the finished result will look exactly as envisioned before construction even begins.

Original architectural design by .
CGI visualisation by ArchEvolve.

👇 Which scheme would you choose – 1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣ or 4️⃣?

07/09/2026

Most homeowners think budget overruns happen on site. Usually, the cost was baked in months earlier, at the drawing board.

When a contractor prices a job from a planning drawing instead of a full construction set, they price against gaps. Missing window and door details. Vague material schedules. Every gap becomes a contingency the client pays for.

On West Sussex projects in the £150K to £300K range, this matters. A planning drawing gets you permission. A construction drawing gets you an accurate quote.

The counterintuitive part: the project that looks expensive to design properly almost always turns out cheaper to build 📐

Spend on the drawings before you spend on the build.

13/08/2026

🚧 Angel Heights – Plot 5 is officially underway! 🏡
Exciting progress on site as Plot 5 begins to take shape. Today marked the start of site clearance and ground preparation, with our team carrying out the initial works ready for foundations and underground services.

Surveyors and plant operators are now on site, alongside excavators and rollers, preparing the plot for the next phase. Temporary fencing, safety measures and environmental controls are all in place, while drainage runs and service routes are being coordinated with the relevant utility providers.

If everything goes to plan and the weather is on our side, we expect to break ground for the foundations within the next 2–3 weeks. From there, you’ll really start to see this exciting new home come to life.

We’ll be sharing regular progress updates, behind-the-scenes content and milestone achievements throughout the build, so make sure you’re following along! 👀

12/08/2026

06/07/2026

We’re delighted to be progressing another exciting education project that will provide a much-needed Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for the local community.

Following a successful pre-application process, we’re now moving into the next phase of preparing the full planning application for submission to the Local Planning Authority.

This proposed facility will help meet the growing demand for specialist educational provision in the area, creating an environment designed specifically to support children with additional needs. It’s fantastic to be working with a client who is committed to investing in facilities that will make a real difference to local families.

At ArchEvolve, we’re leading the architectural design and technical coordination, ensuring the proposals balance functionality, accessibility and planning requirements from the outset.

A big thank you to Planning for their continued support throughout the planning process, particularly Chris Barker and Matthew Garrad for their collaborative approach and guidance. We look forward to taking this project through the next stages together.

Watch this space as we continue to develop this project and share more updates, alongside other exciting education schemes currently in progress.

29/06/2026

Transforming Spaces, Creating Opportunities. ☕🏢

Another successful project completed by ArchEvolve, helping our client transform an existing office space into a modern neighbourhood café and coffee destination.

Our involvement included:
✅ Planning advice and guidance
✅ Change of use application
✅ Internal space planning and reconfiguration
✅ Accessible design, including a fully compliant disabled access ramp and WC facilities
✅ Building Regulation considerations to ensure the space works for everyone

Although accessible access was already a requirement, our client was passionate about making the café welcoming and inclusive for all visitors from day one. It’s always great to work with clients who share the same commitment to creating spaces that everyone can enjoy.

With only minimal planning alterations required, careful design and layout planning allowed us to maximise the available floor space while creating an inviting environment for customers and staff alike.

Whether you’re looking to convert commercial premises, refurbish an existing building, or explore the potential of a property, we’re here to help guide your project from concept through to completion.

📍West Sussex & the South East

06/05/2026

How on earth is anyone able to make sense of 2D drawings??

It’s not just our clients that find it hard to understand… It’s a universal issue across the entire industry 🤷🏼‍♂️

That’s why we offer 3D live cut-throughs of every project

It gives our clients a true feel for their space. Not just the layout but how it flows and how it might feel to actually live there

You can adjust roof forms, check head heights and even move furniture around to test the experience before a single brick is laid

It’s a simple shift in process but it changes everything about how you visualise your future space

If you’ve ever struggled to read a floor plan

Our is built for you ✅

04/05/2026

Planning Approved ✔️

We’re pleased to have secured approval for a top floor flat transformation in Putney, just moments from the Thames.

The scheme includes a full internal reconfiguration alongside a loft conversion, creating additional space and improving the overall layout. A new rear terrace will provide valuable outdoor amenity with riverside context.

A great result for our client and a strong example of unlocking potential within existing buildings.

📍 Putney, London SW15
🏗️ Loft conversion + reconfiguration
🌿 Rear terrace addition

If you’re considering a similar project, feel free to get in touch.

29/04/2026

From concept to clarity ✍️➡️🏗️

Here’s a quick time-lapse of us developing a new scheme for a project that already has planning approval — extending the property and splitting it into two dwellings.

Our role? Exploring an alternative construction method and bringing the design to life by transforming 2D drawings into a detailed 3D model in Revit. This process helps unlock valuable insights into how the build will actually come together.

It’s not just about drawings — it’s about understanding the build before it begins.