Hughes Architects

29/10/2026

You do not need to have bought a site before you speak to us.

In fact, sometimes the best time to ask for architectural advice is before you commit.

Every site comes with its own opportunities and constraints. Access, planning, neighbouring properties, existing buildings and the characteristics of the site itself can all affect what you might be able to achieve.

We can assess a site, talk you through its potential and flag issues worth considering before you make a decision.

And if you already own the site, we can do the same thing.

A challenging site does not necessarily mean your project cannot happen. It means you need to understand the challenges and find the right response to them.

Whether you are looking at a site, about to buy one or wondering what to do with one you already own, come and talk to us.

We will help you work out what is possible: https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/get-in-touch/

27/10/2026

If you are thinking about making alterations to a listed building, planning permission may not be the only approval you might need. Listed Building Consent may also be part of the process.

Listed Building Consent applies to alterations, extensions or demolition that could affect a building’s special architectural or historic character and can include changes to both the inside and outside of a property.

That does not mean a listed building cannot change. It means those changes need to be carefully considered, with an understanding of what makes the building significant and how that can be protected as it evolves.

Getting conservation advice early gives you a clearer picture of what you are working with and helps you make informed decisions from the start. At Hughes Architects, we can help you understand the significance of the building, what may be possible and how to approach the process with confidence.

Thinking about alterations to a listed property? Speak to us early and we will help you understand the way forward: https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/get-in-touch/

22/10/2026

What if your project does not need a new building?

Sometimes the answer is already standing in front of you. An existing building might be able to become a new workplace, a home, a community space or something completely different.

The challenge is understanding what is worth retaining, what can change and how the building can work successfully for its next chapter.

Reusing and adapting an existing building can make better use of its structure, reduce unnecessary waste and create spaces that work for the needs of today.

This is where conservation experience matters. Doug is one of only 176 Conservation Architects currently on the RIBA’s Conservation Register and our approach is built around understanding a building before deciding how it should change.

Old and new do not have to compete. With careful design, they can work together to give a building a useful future while respecting what makes it worth keeping.

Got a building with potential but not sure what to do with it? Talk to us: https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/what-we-do/conservation-architecture/

20/10/2026

We've officially marked the opening of our Shrewsbury office on historic Wyle Cop, with a reception for local businesses, dignitaries and guests last week.

Reputed to be the longest uninterrupted row of independent businesses in the UK, Wyle Cop is home to 39 listed buildings and is a fitting location for our growing architectural practice.

We've been working from the office for several months, supporting clients across Shrewsbury and Shropshire with residential, commercial, planning and historic building conservation projects.

As our Managing Director Doug Hughes said: "We wanted to be based in the heart of the town, alongside other independent businesses, rather than on an out-of-town business park."

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate and to the local business community for the warm welcome.

Read more about our opening and why we chose Wyle Cop as our Shropshire base:

Home News & Knowledge Hughes Architects celebrates continued growth on historic Shrewsbury street Hughes Architects celebrates continued growth on historic Shrewsbury street Hughes Architects team celebrates with official opening of Shrewsbury office Hughes Architects celebrated its presence on Shre...

19/10/2026

Need more space? Moving house is not your only option.

A home extension, renovation or rethink of the space you already have could completely change how your home works for you. (And you do not need to arrive at the first meeting with the answer.)

You might know that the kitchen feels too small. That you need another bedroom. That everyone seems to end up in the wrong room at the wrong time. Or simply that your home no longer works the way you need it to.

That is enough to start.

The design process is there to help you explore the possibilities, test different ideas and make informed decisions. You do not need a finished home design before you speak to a residential architect.

Sometimes the answer is an extension. Sometimes it is rethinking the space you already have. The important thing is finding the right solution for the way you want to live.

Wondering what your home could become? It all starts with a conversation: https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/who-we-work-with/domestic/

15/10/2026

A building never stands alone. It is part of a street, a town and a community.

That is why we care about more than individual projects. We look at how buildings can strengthen the places around them, celebrate local heritage and continue to serve the people who use them.

In Newtown, our I Love Newtown initiative brought people together around ideas for the town’s future and helped inspire its Place Plan.

In Welshpool, we have worked with the Town Council on projects that improve facilities while celebrating the town’s heritage. And in Shrewsbury, we are developing relationships with local groups and exploring how existing heritage assets can find new purpose for future generations.

For us, good architecture starts with understanding place. What matters to the people who live there? What is worth protecting? And what could work better?

Have an idea that could make your town a better place to live, work or spend time? We would like to hear it:
https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/get-in-touch/

13/10/2026

Sometimes, the most sustainable option is something that already exists. A Retrofit project allows us to look carefully at an existing building and ask what can be retained, improved and adapted for the future.

By reusing existing structures, we can reduce waste, retain embodied carbon and extend the life of a building rather than replacing it unnecessarily.

For every project, we consider the full range of options with our clients. That means looking at what makes sense for the building, for the people using it and for the environment. In some cases, keeping and adapting what already exists can deliver the strongest long-term outcome.

Before you decide to demolish and rebuild, it is worth asking what your existing building could become. We can help you explore the possibilities: https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/get-in-touch/

05/10/2026

A listed building is not a museum piece.

Buildings are living things. They change over time, adapt to the people using them and sometimes need to change again if they are going to have a useful future.

That is what conservation is really about.

We start by understanding what makes a building special. Its history, character, materials and the details that are important to protect. Then we look at how it can evolve without losing the things that matter.

Sometimes that means repairing. Sometimes it means adapting. Sometimes it means introducing something new.

Our Managing Director and Conservation Architect, Doug, is one of just 176 Conservation Architects currently on the RIBA Conservation Register, so we have plenty of experience balancing what needs to be protected with what a building needs to become.

If you are thinking about changing a listed or historic building, talk to us early. Let us help you understand what is possible.

https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/what-we-do/conservation-architecture/

29/09/2026

A commercial building needs to do more than look good.

It needs to support the people using it, work for the business it serves and make the most of the wider site.

We work with commercial clients to create practical, considered spaces that support their ambitions. That might mean a new workplace, adapting an existing building, developing a site or making better use of the space you already have.

Before we design, we take the time to understand how your business works and what the building needs to do for you.

The result is a space that works well now and has the flexibility to adapt as your business grows.

Find out more about our approach to commercial architecture:
https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/who-we-work-with/commercial

25/09/2026

Not every project goes exactly to plan.

Budgets change. Planning challenges arise. Priorities shift. Sometimes, something unexpected is uncovered once work begins.

That does not mean the design process has failed. It means the project needs to respond.

Good design is not just about getting everything right on paper. It is about creating a clear direction and knowing how to adapt when circumstances change.

Our role is to help you navigate those decisions as your project develops, keeping your overall aims in sight while finding practical solutions to challenges along the way.

Get in touch with our team:
https://www.hughesarchitects.co.uk/get-in-touch/