Architectural Services Tailored to Your Project


Every building project begins with an idea: a new home, more space, a better way of living or the opportunity to give an existing property a new purpose. Turning that idea into a successful completed building can be exciting and rewarding, but it also involves many complex decisions.


Design options, planning policies, Building Regulations, budgets, technical requirements, specialist consultants and contractors must all be carefully coordinated. Because every client, property and site is different, there is no single approach that works for every project.


With over 35 years of experience, I can guide you through the entire design and construction process. I will take the time to understand your needs, aspirations, budget and timescale before exploring the opportunities available. Your ideas will be developed into a creative, practical and achievable design that responds to its surroundings and supports the way you want to live.


My role extends far beyond producing drawings. I consider the complete environment—how the interior and exterior relate to one another, how spaces flow, how natural light enters the building and how the design will perform in everyday use. The aim is to create a distinctive and inspiring property that is also comfortable, functional, efficient and buildable.

I can assist with every stage of your project, including:


  • Initial consultation and project feasibility
  • Brief development and concept design
  • Planning applications and listed-building consent
  • Detailed technical design
  • Building Regulations approval
  • Coordination of structural engineers and specialist consultants
  • Energy and sustainability strategies
  • Tendering and contractor selection
  • Contract administration and project management
  • Site inspections, completion and handover


Throughout the project, I will work closely with you, contractors and other construction professionals to maintain clear communication and keep the work moving forward. By identifying potential problems early, coordinating the necessary information and helping you make informed decisions, I can reduce uncertainty, avoid unnecessary expense and help protect your investment.


My objective is to deliver a well-designed project that meets your needs while respecting your budget and timescale. Above all, I will protect your interests, solve problems and make the journey from first idea to completed building as clear, enjoyable and straightforward as possible.

Solve Problems - Save You Money - Make Your Life Easier

Services Include: -
  • Project evaluation
  • Outline proposals
  • Scheme design
  • Planning approvals
  • Detailed technical design
  • Listed Building Consents
  • Structural engineering
  • Thermal design and calculations
  • Energy strategies
  • Building Regulation / Warrant approvals
  • Procurement & Tendering
  • Contract Administration
  • Project Management
  • Inspection and Monitoring
  • Contract Resolution
  • Expert Witness
Why engage John Cotterill to work for you?
I will work with you through the complicated but exciting process of designing and building your new home. I will provide inspiration, guidance, oversight, and an efficient plan for working through this process. My goal is to put ideas on paper and then assist you through the building process to have your new home built in an efficient, cost effective manner. I believe this should be a fun & inspiring process for all.

Few people realise how complicated it is to build—that is until they find themselves lost in the maze of design options, planning restrictions, building regulations, contractors and so on. No two building projects are exactly alike, so there is no single, clear-cut path to follow. I have the education, training, experience and vision to guide you through the entire design and construction process, from helping you define what you want to build to helping you get the most for your construction pound. I see the big picture. I don't just design four walls and a roof—I create total environments, interiors and exteriors, that satisfy functional needs and are exciting, dynamic spaces in which to work and live. Working with contractors and other construction professionals, I can help you realise a well-designed project that meets your needs and works with your budget and time frame. I will be available to Solve Problems, Save You Money, and Make Your Life Easier.

Solve Problems
Most building projects start with a want or need but how does that need or want get translated into square metres and three-dimensional space? That is what I have been trained to do—solve problems in creative ways. With my broad knowledge of design and construction, I can show you alternatives and options you might never think of yourself. 

Save You Money
The service I offer is a wise investment for your money, not an added cost to your project. Why? Because a well-conceived project can be built more efficiently and economically. I plan your project with you. As ideas evolve, changes can be made on paper— much less expensively than later on when construction is underway. Thorough drawings also make it easier for the contractors to accurately price and build your project.

Energy efficient buildings can save you money on fuel bills down the road. I can design a building to maximise heating from the sun and let in natural light, thus reducing your heating, cooling, and electric bills over time. I can work with your budget and help you select the appropriate materials and workmanship at a fair price.

I can help you choose materials and finishes that are durable as well as beautiful, saving on frequent maintenance and replacement costs. I work to stay abreast of advances in roofing, external finishes, floor tiling, paint finishes, etc. My familiarity with the full range of materials enables me to suggest the appropriate materials for your project.

Good design sells. A well-designed house has a higher resale value and a well-designed work environment increases productivity.

Make Your Life Easier
Let's face it, building is a long process that is often messy and disruptive. I will look out for your interests and try to find ways to make that process less intrusive on your everyday life. If your project requires engineering or other design services, I can coordinate a team of experts so you don't have to. I can sort out complex planning applications and building regulation approvals. I can help you find qualified construction contractors based on your requirements for the works being undertaken and I will make visits to the construction site to help verify that the project is being built according to plans and specifications as well as administering the building contract.