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Swain Architecture

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Swain Architecture

Swain architecture tackle every project with creativity and an open mind, we’re UK architects with Region

30/04/2026

RIBA House of the Year
Did any of you watch Channel 4’s Grand Designs, RIBA House of the Year just before Christmas? Here are our five favourite builds from the short-listed buildings...

Amento, Suffolk by James Gorst Architects
A retirement cottage with a zoned, walled layout, designed around views and how you actually move around a house. We’ve worked next to a James Gorst-designed home before and they’re an amazing architectural studio! The attention to detail is something else.

Caochan na Creige, Outer Hebrides by Izat Arundell
A picturesque self-built on a remote Scottish island. This house disappears into its landscape in the best possible way. It’s not showy, just beautifully framed views and a layout that feels natural.

Cast Corbel House, Norwich by Grafted
A contemporary extension to a Victorian home that works perfectly. The red brick detailing looks both contemporary and in-keeping which is not easy to do. We’d love to do something similar one of our Victorian or Edwardian projects - this is really appropriate for the East Midlands style of heritage building.

Catching Sun House, Walthamstow by Studio Shaw
Built on a former MOT garage plot, this house fills a tricky, enclose site with natural light. What an oasis. Proof that a difficult brief can produce brilliant solutions.

Ferry House, Salisbury by AR Design Studio
Accessibility and long-term liveability built in from the start, stunning materials and views to match. Exactly the kind of holistic thinking we try to bring to every project.

It’s incredibly rare we post other peoples work and we think that’s the right thing to do, after all we’re selling what we do. But we don’t work in a vacuum and seeing great architecture like this is inspiring. It reminds us why we love what we do. Which one’s your favourite?

23/04/2026

Planning a new build or home extension? With over 10 years experience in the industry, here are our top 5 mistakes we see others make:

1. Assuming you don’t need an architect
The right architect saves you money, stress and time. They know what planners will accept, what materials work, and which builders to trust.

2. Going with the cheapest quote
Low quotes often leave things out. Always know what’s included, budget for contingencies, and talk to previous clients before committing.

3. Rushing the design stage
Once building starts, changes cost. Think through your long-term needs like working from home, family or energy use, before anything hits the ground.

4. Not checking you understand the design
Plans can be hard to read if you’re not a builder. Ask for 3D visuals if you need them. Better to ask now than regret it later.

5. Expecting perfection
A great result is absolutely achievable — but the plot, aspect, and surroundings shape it as much as the design. Get the basics right first.

We’re a small Nottingham-based practice and we care about doing the job properly, not just impressively. If you’re thinking about a project, come and have a chat.

15/04/2026

We’ve moved!

After a short delay, Swain Architecture is now settled into our new home, and we love it!

We’ve relocated from Long Eaton to a beautifully renovated office in Bramcote, bringing us closer to Beeston, Chilwell, and Nottingham City Centre. The space has just been completed with modern interiors and up-to-date tech, while still retaining plenty of period character and natural light of the original building.

We’ve no more moves planned any time soon, so if you’d like to come and see us, we’d love to have you. Just get in touch to arrange a visit. Our new address is:

Swain Architecture
The Grove, Peache Way
Nottingham, NG9 3DX

23/12/2025

Over the Christmas period, Swain Architecture will be closed until 6th January while we take a short break. During this time, we’ll also be relocating our studio and getting set up for the year ahead. More details to follow once we’re settled into our new home. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. We look forward to picking things back up in the New Year.

19/12/2025

Merry Christmas from everyone at Swain Architecture. We’d like to thank our clients, collaborators and friends for another brilliant year. We hope you’re able to enjoy some well-earned time off with those who matter most.

This Christmas, we’re donating to Emmanuel House, an independent Nottingham charity supporting people who are homeless or in crisis - no one should be without a place they can call home.

Thank you for your continued support. See you in 2026!

18/12/2025

Yesterday was the .architecture Christmas party and we had an amazing afternoon getting creative at a .surface.studio terrazzo workshop. Big thanks to Hannah at Awn for being our tutor, we loved it. The decorations are already on our trees. As ever, a big thanks to the Swain team for all your hard work this year. Also great to see our friends from and yesterday, thanks for joining us!

15/12/2025

Thanks for asking about architecture and building! We've tackled some common questions below. If you have a question we haven't addressed or want to discuss a project, we'd love to hear from you.

01/12/2025

Ask Izzy - Our Swain Q&A

Got a burning question about architecture or construction? We’re opening the floor for your questions. Send us a direct message, and we’ll share a selection of (anonymous) answers in a weeks’ time. We’d love to hear what you’ve always wanted to know.

14/11/2025

In the picturesque village of Saxelbye, Leicestershire, one of our latest projects is taking shape. This former village dairy is now being expertly transformed by the team at and is set to become a beautifully reimagined home in the heart of the Vale of Belvoir, just minutes from Melton Mowbray.

Once complete, the building will offer a generous four-bedroom, four-bathroom family home with a spacious open-plan kitchen and living space. A self-contained one-bedroom annex adds flexibility for multi-generational living, visiting guests, or even a dedicated home office.

With planning permission secured in August, construction is now well underway, and the property will be coming to market soon. We’re excited to watch this historic building transformed into a home.

At Swain Architecture, we specialise in breathing new life into existing buildings, unlocking their potential while preserving their character. If you’re considering a conversion or are exploring how an architect could help shape your project, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch for a complimentary consultation.

30/10/2025

Sustainable Homes: Certified Passive House Consultants

As the colder weather sets in, our attention naturally turns to heating and light.

With energy bills rising again this winter and more of us wanting to tread lightly on the planet, designing sustainably isn’t just the right thing to do, it saves us money.

At Swain Architecture, we believe that a truly efficient home is one that works as a whole package. Modern insulation, air source heat pumps and underfloor heating are much talked about, but comfort and efficiency are really created through a collection of design decision, from how a building breathes to the quality of the materials we specify.

As a Certified Passive House Consultant, Swain Architecture Director, Izzy Rhodes and team specialise in homes that are not only cheaper to run, but amazing to live in. Warm, light-filled, and built to last.

If you’re dreaming of a sustainable home, we’d love to help you make it a reality. Book your complimentary consultation today to discover what’s practical and possible.

19/09/2025

Local Planning – What Do You Need to Know?

Potential clients often ask us what’s involved in submitting a local planning application. Although applications can vary from project to project (and occasionally aren’t even required), typically they involve preparing drawings and documents showing your proposed development, completing an application form, and submitting it to the relevant planning authority. A planning officer will assess the impact on neighbouring properties, local character, heritage, and various local and national policies before making a decision. Here are a few common misconceptions:

“It’s just paperwork” – poor-quality plans or missing documents can delay or invalidate your application.
“Neighbours can block my plans” – Objections are considered, but they don’t automatically mean refusal.
“Pre-application advice isn’t worth it” – Skipping a ‘pre-app’ can lead to costly time delays, extra fees and refusal.
“Planning = building reg’s” – Many people confuse planning permission with building regulations; the two are separate and required.

At Swain Architecture we help our clients navigate the planning process (especially in conservation areas or rural locations that might be considered hard to build on). If you live in a conservation area or have an ambitious project get in touch? Get in touch for a complementary consultation.

Address

Mohan Business Centre, Tamworth Road
Nottingham
NG101BE

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441159727685

Website

http://swainarchitecture.com/, https://www.justgiving.com/page/izzy-rhodes-2

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