Overview

HMH Architects Ltd are an RIBA Chartered practice and can provide a full range of Architectural services in accordance with the RIBA Plan of Work, covering all aspects of Work Stages 1 – 7, from feasibility designs to handover of completed buildings.

​Our experience in design, detailing and construction enables us to respond with knowledge to our client's differing demands of many types of building projects across a full range of sectors. This includes new build and refurbishment projects in Residential, Supported and Sheltered Housing, Community, Education, Commercial and Office spaces. 

We combine in-depth understanding of buildings with an unwavering commitment for sustainable design. Our portfolio illustrates designs that have been sensitively planned including both new build, and existing building remodels and extensions. 

​HMH Architects Ltd are dedicated to the design, detailing and delivery of quality buildings, providing a personal, Director-led service to all our clients, and are committed to developing close, creative and collaborative relationships with all members of the project team.

Our Services:
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• Full Architectural service
• Principal Designers (CDM & BR)
• Refurbishment and Conversion
• Regeneration and Masterplanning
• ​Project Management
• Contract Administration
• 3D Visualisation
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 1 and Level 2
• Certified BIM Level 2: Project Information Management

Architecture

Every project is unique; we therefore tailor our services accordingly to meet our clients needs. See below for our approach using the RIBA Plan of Work stages, in accordance with our practice quality management plan

Refurbishment

We have experience and expertise in the refurbishment and extension of existing and historical buildings. See below for further details.

BIM

See how our design process utilising Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be of benefit to you and your project.

Contract Administration

HMH Architects are experienced in Contract Administration, see below for more information on what service we can provide.

Principal Designer

We offer Principle Designer services in accordance with the CDM regulations and the Building Safety Act. See below for further information.

Refurbishment and Regeneration

HMH Architects Ltd have significant experience of refurbishment and regeneration projects. We have built up a breadth of knowledge and expertise working on a range of projects, from large-scale master planning of mixed-use developments, refurbishment and conversion of existing, historical and listed buildings.
 
We can help clients with large property portfolios to maintain, manage and plan maintenance work, with space, access and energy audits, to assess the long-term fitness for purpose and use of the building for decades to come.

We have the experience needed to enable us to assess more accurately the scope of work required at an early stage which informs a better cost estimate and viability options for a proposal.

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Architectural sketch proposals for the modern extension of a hotel, to provide additional accommodation.

Parkfield, Stockton regeneration masterplan

Leazes Terrace, Newcastle refurbishment (left) and Militia Court, Alnwick refurbishment (right)

BIM (Building Information Modelling)

Together with our design experience, technical knowledge and integrated CAD design ability, our adoption of BIM protocols enables us to provide comprehensive, co-ordinated construction information, reducing risk, promoting build-ability and enabling realistic build costs to be obtained.

The benefit of working in a 3D modelling environment allows our clients and stakeholders to fully engage in and understand the design proposals. They can also be used to produce a variety of visuals, from simple 2D drawings to photorealistic perspectives, birds-eye views and interactive panoramas. 

For further information on the BIM services we provide, go to the BIM page.

Contract Administration

​In addition to our technical services HMH Architects Ltd are experienced in project managing a wide variety of tendering and procurement options to deliver your project to the market and through the construction period, including Traditional tendering, Design and Build and Partnering contracts, whilst achieving the quality project delivery our clients expect.

The success of a project not only lies in the quality of the design, but also in the meticulous delivery on-site; the construction process is managed through the handling of the contractual obligations, ensuring our projects excel and are delivered in accordance with the building contract. Our duties as Contract Administrator is as follows:
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• Prepare detailed contract documents, overseeing amendments as the project progresses.
• Liaise and coordinate will all parties, acting as the central point of communication.
• Regular site visits and inspections to ensure the scheme is progressing in accordance with the programme, and it adheres to the necessary quality standards.
• Oversee the project budget, managing payments and validating any claims.
• Completion and handover procedures to facilitate a smooth handover to the client.​

Principal Designer - CDM & Building Regulations

We also offer Principal Designer Services under the CDM 2015 regulations and the Building Safety Act / Building Regulations. As part of these services we will assist to ensure that construction projects deliver good value and are safe to build, providing advice and considerations relevant to the health and safety implications of the design throughout the design and construction phases of a project. As Principal Designer under CDM 2015 (CDM PD) our role will primarily be focused on planning, managing, monitoring and coordinating health and safety during the pre-construction phase of the project. This role is focused on ensuring that the construction work minimises health and safety risks, as far as reasonably practicable, during construction and throughout the lifecycle of the building. We do so by adopting a Design Risk Management approach to the role. 

Under the Building Regulations, the Principal Designer (BR PD) must be appointed for every project, even a residential extension. In undertaking this role we are required to plan, manage and monitor the design work during the design phase and coordinate matters relating to the design ensuring all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the scheme meets the relevant requirements to meet Building Regulations. 

See our Principal Designers page, here, for further information.

RIBA Stage 0/1 - Inception & Brief

This stage is all about getting to know you, our client, your requirements and assembling a detailed brief and list of client requirements.

Every project is unique, and we work with you to understand what it is you're looking for, to understand your needs and aspirations; from this, we can then start to explore how the brief will evolve.

RIBA Stage 2 - Concept Design

Once we have established the brief, HMH will collaborate with you to create a concept design. This will entail taking into account architectural forms, the position and layout of the site, massing and scale, materiality and the arrangement of spaces. Furthermore, HMH will collaborate with and oversee the work of other appointed consultants to establish outline plans and strategies for the structure, energy performance, and other technical matters. At this point, planning strategy will also be taken into account. 

To explore and visualise the concept designs we use hand drawings, sketches and 3D massing models. Stages 0-2 form part of the Feasibility Study, which we typically offer for a fixed fee. This process helps you to develop an understanding of your design and the aspirations of your project and whether it is a feasible scheme to progress further. 

RIBA Stage 3 - Design Development

As the scheme moves into the detailed design stage our design process moves to the use of BIM 3D modelling software, Revit. With this, our drawings bring a higher level of precision and detail. We will collaborate with the design team to further progress the detail in the design, with decisions made and refined regarding massing, scale, and materiality.

During this stage we will typically submit a detailed planning application. As part of the application process our clients will typically also be required to commission a number of additional technical reports to support the application, which is a statutory requirement. These include tree surveys, ecology assessments, ground investigations, and more. We organise and coordinate design information from the other consultants and review the reports accordingly. Ensuring any design amendments and mitigation measures are integrated into the design. 

RIBA Stage 4 - Technical Design/ Tender

Stage 4 means the commencement of the technical design, building on the fixed design that was developed in Stage 3. This includes the details of how the building will be constructed and the various elements of how the designs components come together.

We continue to collaborate with you, and the other design team members to ensure the scheme is fully and technically coordinated. We supply technical drawings and full NBS specifications providing a contractor enough information to price the scheme for construction.

Applications for building control approval is also made during this stage. If planning has been approved, we can collaborate with the client and contractor (if appointed at this stage) to discharge any pre-commencement planning conditions. 

RIBA Stage 5 - Construction

Depending on the procurement type, HMH Architects can offer services to both the client side, and the contractor side (through a Novation Agreement). 

When employed by the contractor, or Novated, HMH Architects will add further detail to the Stage 4 tender drawings, forming the construction stage designs. This information includes additional details, dimensioned layouts, final specification and co-ordinated setting out drawings. Feedback and comments from design team members and building control will also help inform the design. Along with the contractor, we will strive to discharge any planning and building control conditions, managing the whole process.

In addition to the above, HMH can also provide retained service where we stay employed on the client-side to provide guidance and review construction information, working closely with the employers agent to ensure the effective delivery of the contract.

RIBA Stage 6/7 - Handover/ In-Use

HMH Architects can assist with numerous services such as space planning and post-occupancy evaluations. Even though we do our best to develop buildings that are adaptable and future-proof, we recognise that some times things change; therefore, we are happy to help you later down the line with any remodelling or refurbishment needs to ensure your building continues to meet your operating needs.