ABOUT US

Didacious Designs Architects

DD Architects was started by Conrad A B Howard BA(Hons)DipArch RIBA CA IHBC FRSA as a consultancy practice working as a conservation architect, giving advice and services to suit client requirements. He is Accredited with both the RIBA and IHBC as a conservation architect. The practice provides a full or partial service as a design, conservation and Eco Design Architect. We handle all stages of work, from the initial feasibility and consultation outlining the client’s requirements to the finished building. We integrate building design and conservation with an in-depth understanding of listed building, energy conservation and planning matters, thus saving clients separate fees. We utilise up to the minute presentation techniques enabling us to provide top quality presentations. This not only helps our clients understand the concepts but also enables the planning department to fully appreciate the proposed scheme. A winning scheme is as much about the presentation of the idea as the idea itself.

The simple task of ‘building a house’ is actually quite complex. With more and more demands on environmental issues and legislation, a sound knowledge of the whole process is very important.

DD Architects is a signatory of Architects Declare and an advocate for buildings with a low carbon footprint. We are particularly interested in materials of low embodied energy, promoting timber construction, passive environmental control and supporting local skills. If buildings contribute to 40% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions , then we have a big part in doing something about it.

 

We are a HISTORIC BUILDING CONSULTANCY with extensive experience working on historic building refurbishments and buildings in Conservation Areas. DD Architects have access to a diverse range of consultants, including 3D animators, Surveyors, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, Structural Engineers and Contractors. All of which form the optimum team to enable the creation of your dream home.

 We offer EXPERT ADVICE on first contact, either over the phone or directly in the form of an on site consultation with a conservation architect. This on site consultation will be offset against fees for services provided depending on the size and complexity of your project. Please telephone or email and we will be happy to discuss in detail your project/requirements. We are always eager to help with design ideas, the client brief development, planning and listed building matters, Sustainable ECO-ARCHITECTURE, improving on existing permissions, the best use of your funds in a logical and sensitive way, avoiding unnecessary work and much more. We are always interested to make new friends. We offer extremely competitive rates.

Please call us and let us know your budget and we will do everything we can to help.

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Testimonials

Feedback From Our Clients
  • Ashley & Karen Richardson

    "Karen and I were introduced to DD Architects through a friend of a friend scenario and at the time during April 2013, we were looking for an Architect who understood the requirements to gain planning permission for a residential property to be built within a countryside location. This was not a normal planning application, governed by stringent government guidelines which had to be fully met. DD Architects gave an open remit with no restrictions other than requiring a minimum of four double bedrooms good sized living space and a study. After jumping through many hoops and over many hurdles, planning permission was granted September 2015. DD Architects are now carrying out the process of clearing a number of important conditions set by MSDC planning officers as part of the approval gained. Should a special design be required to meet a specific criteria or you require an architect who understands planning requirements for gaining planning consent for a dwelling in a countryside location, then we suggest you look no further."

  • Jon Finn

    "It’s been a real pleasure working with Conrad and the team at Didacious Designs. This has been a challenging project from the very beginning but Conrad has approached it in a thoughtful and structured way which has inspired confidence and kept us positive throughout what can be quite a stressful process for a planning applicant. Everyone we have worked with at Didacious have been of the highest standard and they have all gone above and beyond the expected in order to get the job done.”

  • Chris & Alex Sears

    "I have had the pleasure of working with Conrad and the team and they have my full endorsement as an outstanding architecture firm. They have been incredibly responsive when it comes to providing detailed drawings and information to support the project to extend our house. Conrad is very organized, extremely intelligent and has an amazing eye for modern design. His depth of knowledge and experience to lead a project from pre-construction planning thru to completion has meant the project was driven forward without delay. The team was incredibly responsive and provided us with timely answers and architectural details as issues came up in the field. I can attribute the success of our project to Conrad and the team and I hold them in the highest regard."

  • Rebecca & Mark Rivers-Moore

    "We are aware that there is a responsibility that goes with tackling a building project involving an old house, in particular a listed one. We therefore really appreciated the level of knowledge and care that DD Architects brought to the design process; it has given us the confidence that we are respecting the building at every stage and enhancing the house in a sympathetic and appropriate way to be enjoyed by us and future occupants. DD Architects opened our eyes to styles and features we hadn't thought of, enabling us to make more reasoned decisions. DD Architects enthusiasm for period and other detail has helped to keep morale up as we dealt with complications at the planning stage and as the rains have fallen! On a practical level, it has helped that DD Architects have been available for meetings, at short notice if necessary, and able to accommodate our working patterns."

  • Stephen and Siobhan English

    "We found DD Architects through the advertising pages of The Listed Building Owners Magazine so to a degree went in blind. But to our immense relief and pleasure we found them, and Conrad Howard particularly, very attentive and a pleasure to deal with. Their expertise is second to none and they have secured Listed Building Consent on the Grade 2* house we owned up until mid 2018 against some stiff resistance from the Listed Building Planning Officer who’s negative arguments were rebutted with skill and sensitivity. The consent they have secured adds tremendously to a house that needs to be liveable in the 21st Century whilst also securing the 400 year old features for future generations. DD Architects have secured a planning consent in a way that satisfies the current owner, the planners and no doubt many future generations."

  • Jaclyn and Daniel Stoneham

    "We did a lot of research into Architects specialising in listed buildings design, planning and consent applications and came across DD Architects. From the first meeting, DD Architects put us at ease and took our basic ideas and transformed them into designs that will not only improve how we live and function in our much-loved family home but adds sympathetic, innovative 21st century architectural design to enhance the listed building qualities of the cottage.  The planning process and appeal has been a minefield that DD Architects have navigated for us submitting unbelievably detailed and thorough reports, designs and policy information.  We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy process being in a Conservation area, AONB and Grade II listed, but Conrad and the team have guided us with exceptional communication and patience."

DD ARCHITECTS

Our Services

MEET THE TEAM

Our Dedicated Staff
Conrad AB Howard

Conrad AB Howard

Conservation Architect - Director
Akmol Hamid

Akmol Hamid

CAD Artist - Designer

ADVICE

We Will Get The Best Out Of Your Project

OUR PORTFOLIO

A Selection Of Our Current Projects

BLOG

The Evolving Face Of DD Architects
Kipping Cottage – Understanding its past was key

Kipping Cottage – Understanding its past was key

Kipping Cottage dates from the Seventeenth Century and has in it’s history operated as the base for a wheelwright business,…

East Franklands – Permission Received

East Franklands – Permission Received

The application site is a substantial detached unlisted house located to the southern side of Lewes Road, within the Conservation…

Clifton House – Permission Received

Clifton House – Permission Received

Site Description Clifton House is a Grade 2 listed dwelling and is located in the Alfriston Conservation Area. Historic England…

FRIENDS

We Are Always Interested To Make New Friends - Please Get In Touch

Our years of expertise give us confidence that the schemes we propose shall receive planning consent*

This means that up to the planning determination stage for certain projects we are prepared to offer a 'NO WIN, NO FEE SERVICE' for the design and execution of your project. This will include advise from a Conservation Architect, full sketch and/or 3D illustrations as required. In most cases your only expense would be to commission a drawn survey, subject to the size of the project.

*although the decision process is out of our hands, so this cannot be guaranteed.

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