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A well-designed single-storey extension can completely change how you use your home. Rather than simply adding another room, the right extension can improve the entire ground floor of your property, creating better connections between existing spaces, bringing in more natural light and giving your family room to grow without needing to move. There are also […]

With temperatures rising and heatwaves becoming more common, are our homes really equipped to cope with a changing climate? Our Senior Architect, Dandi Passerini, recently joined BBC Radio Essex to discuss how climate change is affecting residential design and what can be done to create homes that are comfortable in both winter and summer. During

Are you considering a home extension and wondering if ChatGPT can do the planning permission legwork for you? While AI is great at giving answers and explaining the planning process in a nutshell, getting permission isn’t just a matter of asking a few questions. AI has changed the way homeowners think about their home improvement

If you haven’t already noticed, Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. It’s transforming industries around the world, and architecture is no exception. Today, homeowners can use AI tools to generate extension ideas, create floor plans, visualise new homes and explore design concepts in a matter of minutes. This has led many people to ask an important

When planning a home extension, converting a commercial property, or changing the use of an existing building, one area of confusion within the English planning system is understanding the difference between permitted development and prior approval. Many homeowners, developers, landlords, and property investors think the two terms mean the same thing. Whereas in reality, they

Owning a Grade II listed property is a privilege that comes with its own set of responsibilities. These buildings form an important part of England’s architectural heritage and are protected because of their special architectural or historic interest. Whether you have recently purchased a period home or have lived in one for many years, carrying

What began as a single architect working above a garage alongside a resident cat has grown into MP Chartered Architects, now proudly celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded on 2 October 1985, MP Chartered Architects has grown from humble beginnings in High Ongar into one of the area’s longest-established architectural practices, employing a team of 13

MP Chartered Architects is delighted to announce that its founder, Martyn Pattie, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 in recognition of his outstanding and longstanding services to the Ongar community. Born and raised in Ongar, Martyn has dedicated much of his personal and professional life to supporting the town

A double-storey extension is one of the most effective ways to transform an existing house without the financial strain of moving house. For many homeowners, adding extra space through an extension offers a far more practical solution than trying to upsize in a competitive property market. When the costs of stamp duty, removals, mortgage arrangement

For many homeowners, the moment they start planning an extension, renovation, loft conversion, or new build, one question quickly follows: how much does an architect cost? There is no set answer as architectural fees can vary significantly depending on the type of project, the level of service required, and the complexity of the work involved.