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.
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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.”
Latest Blogs:
It’s summer holiday season — and as clients return from coastal cottages, mountain cabins, or sun-drenched villas, one theme keeps coming up: “How can I bring this feeling home?” That sense of ease, simplicity, and quiet joy isn’t just about being away—it’s about how those spaces are designed. At Artichoke: Architectural Consultancy, we help clients capture that same serenity in their everyday environments, with thoughtful design that’s tailored to how they live. Restful spaces aren’t created by chance. They’re the result of purposeful decisions—about layout, light, flow, and function. And often, it’s the small, well-considered changes that make the biggest difference. With decades of experience navigating UK planning, building regulations, and complex design briefs, we know how to deliver spaces that feel effortless, yet are deeply intentional. A calming home doesn’t need to be minimalist or expensive—it needs to be clear. That might mean reconfiguring a hallway to reduce visual clutter, introducing built-in storage to keep surfaces free, or designing a garden connection that invites you to step outside. These aren’t grand gestures—they’re subtle shifts that support a more peaceful way of living. Previously, on projects such as Halfacre (pictured below) we have found that storage, in particular, plays a quiet but very powerful role. When clutter is tucked away with care, rooms feel lighter, more spacious, and more welcoming. We design storage that’s integrated, intuitive, and tailored to your lifestyle — so your home supports simplicity without sacrificing function.
Like many, I am generally a saver rather than a borrower by default. A client recently told us that they planned to delay their project, so that they could save the additional money they needed to be able to do the extension that they really wanted, rather than compromising. Wisely they had asked us to carry out a costing exercise, so they knew this and could assess the situation and plan for it. In that instance they had £75,000 and needed save roughly another £25,000 to do what they wanted to do, which they thought they might be able to do over the course of 3-4 years. Their question was actually when they should resume the process, which we answered and I suggested that they give themselves a year to be comfortable to get planning, building regulations and find themselves a builder (it’s always better to allow more time than less!). However, it occurred to me that whilst saving rather than borrowing (in my mind at least) is an admirable and patient approach, it made me wonder what other factors should be considered.
When you're planning a new build, a renovation, or a quirky conversion project you've been dreaming about, there’s one aspect that might not make your heart race like the design itself—VAT. Yes, VAT might sound as thrilling as watching paint dry, but believe me, getting it right can make a significant difference to your overall budget. So, why should you care about VAT? At Artichoke, we are not just here to design good architecture — we are also here to ensure everything from design to delivery is as smart and cost-effective as possible. In some cases, VAT is a hidden savings opportunity. By understanding exactly how VAT applies to each part of your project, we might be able to help make sure you put your money into the right places on a project. And with a trusted team of consultants, including a Quantity Surveyor and a VAT specialist, we'll be well-equipped to secure savings that might just cover all our fees (and perhaps even fund that bit extra for those quirky design touches our clients love). Let’s take a quick look at some common VAT opportunities: • New Build Dwellings – 0% VAT (Zero-rated): When you're constructing a completely new residential home—even if we keep a few charming features like the façade or party walls intact—the project could qualify for a zero VAT rate. • Renovation of Empty Homes – 5% VAT (Reduced rate): If your property has been unoccupied for at least two years before the work starts, the renovation might be eligible for a reduced 5% VAT rate. • Conversions – 5% VAT (Reduced rate): Turning one home into two (or the other way around) or converting a non-residential building (say, an old office or barn) into a cosy home can also save you a bit on VAT. • Energy-Saving Materials – 0% or 5% VAT: Thanks to recent UK legislation, most energy-saving improvements like insulation, heat pumps, or solar panels installed in a residential setting usually attract a 0% VAT rate—though sometimes it might be 5% depending on specifics. • Adaptations for Disabled Persons – 0% VAT (Zero-rated): Any modifications made to help a disabled person can make the VAT bill disappear entirely (well, not actually vanish, but zero-rated, which is just as good). • For Businesses and Developers: If you're VAT-registered—whether as a business or developer—you might reclaim VAT on various building works and professional services (yours truly, the architect, included!). • Grant Schemes and Self-Builds: There are also a couple of schemes out there where, either through grants or self-build VAT reclaims, you could see even more savings—sometimes effectively reducing your VAT cost to zero.
