Whether you are considering converting an outbuilding or attic space, extending your property, or creating an off-grid eco house, we can help make your dreams a reality. From modest alterations to 'Grand Designs' we have extensive experience in projects of all sizes and believe good design can add value for money regardless of your budget.
We offer a service tailored to your requirements and can guide you through the construction process from initial design, gain planning permission and building regulations approval to completed build, or simply provide advice at an early stage. Unlike some purely architectural practices, dark skies design can also assist with interior and landscape design for clients requiring a complete service.
A core principle of our work is advising clients on living and working more sustainably which can include making a building more energy efficient, saving money and employing renewable technologies. So if you need more space for a growing family or would like advice on how to reduce your energy costs, please contact us to arrange an initial consultation at your property.
We offer a service tailored to your requirements and can guide you through the construction process from initial design, gain planning permission and building regulations approval to completed build, or simply provide advice at an early stage. Unlike some purely architectural practices, dark skies design can also assist with interior and landscape design for clients requiring a complete service.
A core principle of our work is advising clients on living and working more sustainably which can include making a building more energy efficient, saving money and employing renewable technologies. So if you need more space for a growing family or would like advice on how to reduce your energy costs, please contact us to arrange an initial consultation at your property.
Services
Landscape design can complement and anchor a building into its surroundings, whether practical, aesthetic, horticultural, environmental or a combination of all of these. A sensory garden within the grounds of a care home, intended to stimulate residents through the use of sight, sound, scent, taste and texture.
We believe that in order to build and live in an environmentally sustainable manner, we should seek to avoid the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance. Whilst some people strive to attain this goal for primarily ethical reasons, an added benefit can be financial security.
Paul studied Architecture at the Universities of Nottingham, Leeds Metropolitan and Huddersfield, graduating in 1999. He spent two years working in Malaysia which widened his experience of environmental design and the interface between a building and its context. Paul joined Julian Owen Associates in 2001, where he later became a director, with responsibility for business promotion, staff development and new client consultations.
Paul was of great assistance liaising and negotiating with both the planning and listed building personnel. He suggested a roof lantern for the kitchen extension, which we would not have considered and it added a real 'wow' factor. I can wholeheartedly recommend the benefit of working with Paul and wish him well in his new business.'
Reviews (11)
Sarah Longstaff
Feb 23, 2021
Report
Sarah Longstaff
Feb 23, 2021
Report
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness
I can't recommend Dark Skies Design highly enough. Suzy was excellent in supporting us with drawings and the planning applications for the reconfiguration of our grade II listed home. We are especially thankful for her tenacity with a particularly challenging planning officer!
I can't recommend Dark Skies Design highly enough. Suzy was excellent in supporting us with drawings and the planning applications for the reconfiguration of our grade II listed home. We are especially thankful for her tenacity with a particularly challenging planning officer!
Lee Bailey
Dec 19, 2020
Report
Excellent service from Dark Skies on our recent house extension.
As complete novices to the design and planning processes, we really appreciated Paul's patience and expert advice.
Paul was happy to answer our many questions and provide a range of creative options to make the most of the space available.
Paul also took the lead on the Planning process and provided us with frequent progress updates as well as sourcing Building Inspectors and Ecology experts.
We're extremely happy with the service we've received from Dark Skies and would whole-heartedly recommend them to anyone.
As complete novices to the design and planning processes, we really appreciated Paul's patience and expert advice.
Paul was happy to answer our many questions and provide a range of creative options to make the most of the space available.
Paul also took the lead on the Planning process and provided us with frequent progress updates as well as sourcing Building Inspectors and Ecology experts.
We're extremely happy with the service we've received from Dark Skies and would whole-heartedly recommend them to anyone.
Amanda Courtley
Dec 11, 2020
Report
John Booth
Nov 14, 2020
Report
The service provided from Paul at Dark Skies Design (so far) has been excellent, we are in the process of getting an extension to the house and Paul has been very patient with the changes that we have asked and his approach has been nothing but professional. The service has been 1st class especially with the restrictions that have been in place with COVID-19, with the lockdown restrictions lifted we can now progress to the actual construction and Paul’s insight and experience will be drawn upon, I will update the review once all works are complete.
Dennis Harvey
Oct 31, 2020
Report
Shirley Smith
Jul 06, 2019
Report
Judith Downing
Sep 20, 2018
Report
Alan Hunt
Aug 20, 2018
Report
Had a new house designed with help and advice from very attentive architects. they introduced us to green issues and incorporated a ground source heating and hot water system as well as solar panels and rainwater harvesting. The whole project was a very enjoyable and exciting experience giving us a beautiful home which is easy to maintain and cheap to run. The layout is very spacious and we enjoy an abundance of natural light with the thoughtful use of windows and roof lights. Our initial fears that building a new house would be a daunting experience turned out to be unfounded as we were fortunate
Kasia Kozakiewicz
May 24, 2018
Report
Becky Bexon
Mar 18, 2018
Report
I'm quite naive around planning and design but do have a clear idea about what I do and don't like. I also find it difficult to visualise space and know how to maximise it with roof height and windows. When it came to our proposed loft conversion I wanted to see plans that demonstrated clearly how we could use the space and the different options… available to me. What was great about Dark Skies Design was we were able to communicate over email, make a number of iterations after I'd seen the 3D models and was able to visualise much clearer. I now have plans and a design I'm 100% happy with
