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Arkhi

About Us

Eco Build Cloudhaus Congleton

Designing for a Better Life: Arkhi's Modern Architecture Vision. With a focus on custom and bespoke designs, we have been delivering exceptional new-build homes, barn conversions, and extension transformations to private clients for many years.

 

Our goal is to enrich the way people interact with the spaces they spend the most time in, creating truly personalized living environments. At Arkhi, we believe in building wealth through property, one beautifully designed space at a time.

RIBA Chartered Practice

Arkhi has been a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects since 2010. 

Logo for the Royal Institute of British Architects

Building a Better Tomorrow

 

Arkhi's Eco-Progressive Designs. With a forward-thinking approach, we incorporate eco-friendly techniques into many of our designs. Utilising natural resources and blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, we create energy-efficient living spaces that not only save on bills but also protect the environment.

Leone Restaurant Reception

Locations

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Alderley Edge

20 George Street, Alderley Edge

SK9 7EJ

01260 540 170

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Congleton

The Sorting House, 6 Mill Street,

Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1AB

01260 540 170

Arkhi Architects

Ready to collaborate?

Get in touch today and let’s see what we can build together.

We are more than happy to discuss any project, any size, at any time.

Read on for our FAQ section.

First steps

The first stages, 0-1, involve a project meeting where we discuss the scope of your project. We usually visit your site to discuss your aspirations for the project, this also allows us to review the site's potential, and its constraints.

 

The trained eyes of our architects can help solidify a vision for a site by taking the time to measure, assess, and get to know a space. Before putting pen to paper, we will also discuss your anticipated budget to ensure it correlates with your aspirations.

first steps
sketch of a concept design workshop

What comes next?

Stage 2 is the concept design phase. By this point the lead architect on your project will have a good knowledge of your site. It’s time to put pen to paper. We have varied options for how we can carry out your project and through the use of CAD software we will show you the different ways a site can be developed.

 

And you will be there every step of the way.

And then?

In the next stage we test and analyse the concept designs, refining them until they pass the engineering and building regulation requirements. This ensures that our design guarantees the health and safety of people in or around the building. This is necessary to help us secure planning permission later. 

 

To keep the design looking how you want it we can produce new 3D renders of the designs or even 3D print some of them. 

Sketch of an office computer submitting planning permission
Sketch of a technical drawing

And then???

For us, stage 4 is the most intensive, as we produce the technical drawings that will make your project reality. These lay out in great detail how a building is to be constructed, what materials will be used, who will construct the different areas of it, and where on our project site it will be based. A range of professionals are required to make this go smoothly and we can manage as much or as little of this as you want. 

Almost there...

Stage 5 represents the culmination of all our planning. While beginning construction may feel daunting, Arkhi will continue to guide you even after the drawings are complete. With contractors now on site we keep the lines of communication open so you are always in the loop.

A sketch of a construction meeting
A sketch of a handshake

Last Steps...

It’s alive, IT’S ALIVE! Construction is complete and all that's left before you pocket the keys is an inspection of the final works. Hard hats on, we head to the site to make sure everything is in order. We might even have time for a cup of tea, you can choose the biscuits. 

The Honeymoon

I remember my honeymoon, bright sun, warm Turkish sands, finally free from in-laws… Till they showed up next monday. Arkhi wouldn’t buy a new van without a test drive so for us stage 7 is checking in now that the buildings are in use. Contractors have a big job, no judgement, things will go wrong and Arkhi will be on hand to call the plumbers back if the water pressure is too low. 

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FAQ'S
  • 01 | What sectors does Arkhi work within?
    We have considerable experience across Residential, Commercial, Land Development, Accessibility & Healthcare, and Hospitality sectors. We also work with a wide variety of clients, from people looking to extend or modify their home, to businesses and developers procuring much larger projects. Find out more about Arkhi’s Sectors and Services.
  • 02 | At what point in my project should I involve an Architect?
    You should start looking for an Architect as soon as you decide you want to embark on planning your project. Involving an Architect early on can help you avoid costly oversights. Architects provide important pre-design services including site evaluations, as well as helping you explore design options you may not have considered.
  • 03 | How far would Arkhi travel for a project?
    We are based in Congleton, Cheshire, in the North West of the UK. However, we work across the region and have been engaged on projects as far as Leeds, Surrey and North West Wales.
  • 04 | What happens during our initial meeting?
    In the initial consultation (which is free of charge) one of our Project Architects will either come to visit you at the development site or engage with you over a virtual consultation in order to discuss your project requirements in more detail. After this initial consultation, we will liaise with you to ensure you are satisfied with the development brief. This usually includes a series of concept design workshops as well as discussions around your project budget and construction timescales.
  • 05 | How are fees worked out?
    Fairly! At Arkhi, we work out your fees depending on your specific project requirements. Some projects are best worked out on an hourly rate, some with a fixed fee, or some with a percentage fee. We will prepare a detailed and tailored quote to suit your specific requirements.
  • 06 | What other professionals might I need?
    Every project has different requirements that are specific to the brief and development site. We will advise of any other consultants that you may require, for example, an ecologist or structural engineer.
  • 07 | What is my role in the design process?
    Its crucial you communicate your design preferences, functional requirements, and budget. Keeping the project on track will depend on your timely response to questions and design submissions. It is also important you raise any concerns as your project develops so that they can be addressed in earlier stages. Developing this partnership is important to us at Arkhi because everything that we do is to achieve the vision established by you, the client.
  • 08 | What are the stages of work that you follow?
    As a registered and charactered practice, Arkhi follows the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 which you can download here. We have created a guide that breaks down the stages earlier in this page.
  • 09 | Does Arkhi work with Listed Buildings?
    The short answer – yes! We have considerable experience in dealing with listed buildings and projects in conservation areas. To find out more about Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas, read our forum post.
  • 10 | What is a Lawful Development Certificate?
    To clarify, this is not retrospective planning permission. Issued by the Local Planning Authority (LPA), a Lawful Development Certificate is used to regularise unauthorised development and prevent enforcement action being taken. It is a legal document that states the lawfulness of past, present or future development.
  • 11 | Planning permission, what do I need to know?"
    Planning Permission (or Express Permission) is a crucial part of your construction journey. This is where you seek approval to enable you to carry out your development. Development that requiresplanning consent can include demolition, rebuilding, structural alterations or additions to a building, or any other operations normally undertaken by a person carrying on business as a builder (Town and Country Planning Act, 1990). We can give you advice whether or not your planned works will require planning approval. As well as a formal planning application, permitted development can also allow development to be undertaken within certain conditions and parameters as outlined in the Order of Permitted Development 2015. Prior Approval also allows additional development under Permitted Development route. These options can be discussed with your Architect depending on your specific project requirements. Find out more about Arkhi’s advice when it comes to Permitted Development here.
  • 12 | Once I have planning permission, can I start building?"
    Gaining planning permission is a large achievement and usually takes around 8-10 weeks (or even more) so it is best to apply early. Once permission is granted, the next step will be the preparation of a building regulations and detailed design package. This is the point we involve a Building Inspector to ensure the project meets building regulation standards, and develop a set of detailed drawings so your builder can bring your project to life. You may need to also consider other services at this stage such as a structural engineer’s input or party wall surveyor's input – we can help organise and liaise with other professional services on your behalf at Arkhi.
  • 13 | What is the difference between planning permission and building regulation approvals?
    Planning Permission covers principles of assessing development in conjunction with national and local planning law polices and whether or not your development complies with these. Building Regulation covers the structural aspects of the development and ensures all aspects of construction meet the minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to a building.
  • 14 | How can I check an Architect is genuine?
    You can find a list of Architects on the Architect Registration Board (ARB) or with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). ARB is a statutory regulator set up by an Act of Parliament in 1997 to maintain a public Register of Architects. To be listed, you must have met the qualification standards to practice as an Architect in the UK and there is a professional code of conduct to follow.
  • 15 | Where do I begin?
    It would be great to hear from you! Get in touch or give us a call at 01260 540170 and speak to a member of our friendly team who can discuss you project in more detail. Following this, we will book you in for an initial consultation (which is free of charge) with one of our Project Architects, who will either come to visit you at the development site or engage with you over a virtual consultation to discuss your project requirements in more detail.
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