We listen. We design. You smile. 

We love design! 

There’s nothing more rewarding than the buzz we get when a client is beaming with joy at what we’ve helped them to create.

From our studios in Windsor and Reading, we work with private homeowners and commercial clients across East Berkshire and surrounding areas including Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey. 

Investing sometimes millions of pounds in your own home or a commercial project is a major undertaking. Using our empathy, skill and experience we take as much of the stress out of building design and construction as possible. 

We’re easy to talk to and great at listening. And, we ask all the right questions, challenging you when we need to. We want to understand you from the outset, deal with your concerns and offer solutions and enable you to make educated decisions.

Our service is reassuringly transparent and entirely personal to you.

Our Work:

Have a look at some of the amazing projects we've been lucky enough to work on (which are of course only made possibly be having amazing clients!).  If you would like to see more, visit our Projects section or get in touch.
View Projects

Client Testimonials:

“Although we didn’t know exactly what would suit us when we started we put our faith in Chris & the team, who helped us find what scale and design of project we actually wanted - it wasn’t until we’d seen all their sketched designs that we could decide! We had been considering moving as we couldn’t see how it might be improved but now we’re completely in love with it as the house and the way we use it has changed so dramatically.
View testimonials

Latest Blogs:

By Chris Dale 14 Mar, 2024
The BSA has been a hot topic since it came into force in April 2022 and implemented in October 2023 albeit with some transitional arrangements. Architects must keep abreast of regulatory changes and much of the time this is fairly technical. Now and again there is new legislation that is so wide-ranging that we feel it’s important to ensure all our clients are aware of it. One such significant shift came with the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022. This legislation is designed to address concerns raised by tragic incidents like the Grenfell Tower fire. It has far-reaching implications for architects, their clients and the entire construction and property development sector. The Act came into force in April 2022 and implementation began last October. The Grenfell Tower disaster, which claimed 72 lives in 2017, highlighted critical flaws in existing safety protocols and brought into question the accountability of those responsible for ensuring building safety. The Act aims to rectify these shortcomings by imposing stricter requirements on building owners, developers, and architects to ensure the safety of occupants. The Act requires a revaluation of project management strategies and budget allocations. Compliance with the Act may mean additional costs and time constraints, particularly during planning and construction phases. Artichoke will work closely with our clients to navigate these challenges effectively. One of the key implications of the Act for clients, is the emphasis on accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle. Clients can expect greater scrutiny of building designs, materials, and construction methods to ensure compliance with safety standards. The Act introduces the concept of the "duty holder," placing specific responsibilities on individuals involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings. The Act also introduces a new regulatory framework for high-rise residential buildings, requiring the appointment of a Building Safety Manager and the development of a comprehensive safety case report. Clients undertaking projects in this sector must be prepared to allocate resources towards fulfilling these requirements and collaborating closely with architects to streamline the process. While the Building Safety Act 2022 presents challenges for architectural clients, it also offers opportunities for innovation and improvement within the industry. By prioritising safety and accountability, the Act lays the foundation for a more robust and resilient built environment. Clients as well as architects and other professionals, must embrace this shift and recognise it as a collective endeavour to safeguard lives and uphold the integrity of the built environment. By understanding and adapting to the requirements of the Act, architects and clients can navigate regulatory complexities more effectively and contribute to the creation of a safer, more sustainable built environment. We have produced a guide explaining our understanding of the Act and its implications, including a more detailed explanation of the responsibilities of a Duty Holders. Please contact us at office@arctichoke-design.co.uk if you would like a copy.
By Chris Dale 20 Feb, 2024
We love building design! This often involves designing a refurbishment or extension to a clients home. Or, designing a brand new house. But, we also work with commercial clients across East Berkshire and surrounding areas including Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey. Our commercial clients operate in the hospitality sector, in healthcare, industrial property and commercial development. Over the next few months, we’ll sharing more information about this exciting and growing side of Artichoke. Here are two examples.
By Chris Dale 17 Jan, 2024
Finding the right architect for you might seem a daunting task. And a good working relationship between a client and architect is crucial to the success of a project. So here are our thoughts on the ideal client-architect relationship… Our ideal client is someone who appreciates the uniqueness of custom design, the creative process and the value both can bring to their project. You don’t need a clear-cut plan, but a willingness to trust our expertise and journey with us through the design process is key! Collaboration Working with Artichoke is wholly collaborative. We look for clients who are eager to engage in a creative partnership and we especially love clients who are responsive and engaged, providing insights and feedback to ensure we shape the project together. Your involvement is crucial – it is your project and we want it to echo your aspirations. Collaboration is important at all stages of a project. It’s especially important at the initial design phase, prior to regulatory approvals and construction. Understanding and establishing your brief is fundamental so we can develop designs to suit you. We ask the right questions and we listen so that the outcome is something beyond your expectations. At Artichoke, we love to invest time in the sketch design process. Sketching helps us present several design proposals quickly and effectively so that we can collaborate with our clients to tweak and refine the design.
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