Renovations and Conversions

building renovations and house conversions in Scotland
 

While we design and oversee the building of many newbuild houses, here at Thomas Robinson Architects, we also convert existing homes and renovate many period properties and rural buildings to make them more suitable for 21st century living. As expert house conversion architects, our transformations bring in light, redirect flow, and update core elements, without eliminating the core style of the original house or property. 
 

why renovate your property?

 
There are many reasons to bring in a home renovation architect to convert and renovate your property or existing house. Maybe you love your home and its location, but need to bring it up to date, a process that can include upgrading, adding elements, and rearranging interior architecture. 
 
At Thomas Robinson Architects, we are experts at converting properties to create functional, well-designed spaces. Our team includes interior designers and architects with residential renovation expertise, who can advise and guide you throughout the whole process of transforming your property.
 
The most common home conversion projects we take on in Scotland are to create larger light-filled living spaces such as expansive kitchen and dining areas before rearranging the rest of the property to update its feel and use. We also upgrade many rural dwellings from barns that have fallen into disuse to old estate buildings.  
 
Whether you need a basement conversion or an outbuilding conversion, our team can help you increase the value of your property.
 
Energy and electricity systems, and sometimes plumbing, are often upgraded at the same time as the fabric of the building. With renewed electricity systems, lighting design also becomes an important aspect of upgrading and maximising your property’s potential.
 
There are many more reasons to renovate your property, including:
 
  • Reconfiguring space for a granny flat conversion project
  • Converting use from a single home to multiple flats, or vice versa
  • Making more space for a growing family
  • Altering the layout to make the flow work better
  • Enlarging the layout of kitchen and living areas
  • Adding bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Renovating to update a period property
  • Fitting in better utility spaces and storage
  • Creating new garage space 
  • Bringing in daylight with additional roof lights and windows
  • Expanding openings and making more open-plan layouts
  • Adding a flat for extra rental income
 

what does a conversion or extension involve?

 
By their nature, house conversions, property renovations, and extensions can be more complex than new builds. Particularly with historic structures, many aspects of the property’s functionality, regulations and design need to be considered during the property conversion process.
 

structure

 
A period property, especially one constructed from stone, can suffer from damp issues and deterioration of certain elements. Our architects for home renovation projects can assist with any relevant planning permissions, building regulations or surveys needed before designing and construction takes place.
 

energy efficiency and sustainability

 
Many people embarking on flat conversions or house renovations in Scotland want to install more energy-efficient systems. We can design these in and take them into account when designing architectural plans for housing contractors.
 
Our architects for house renovations know that modern sustainability standards are more stringent than they were when most period properties were built. Traditional structures can be notoriously poorly insulated, and mid-century houses are often far from energy efficient. 
 
Adding underfloor heating, and upgrading windows are common solutions for traditional house conversions. Retrofitting period properties presents a unique challenge in property development because many traditional materials need to breathe. Using inappropriate modern insulation or sealants can trap moisture, causing long-term damage to the building.
 
As experienced conservation architects, we suggest a breathable material like lime plaster for many historic period properties, which allows moisture to escape while still improving energy performance. 
 

key architectural features


As architects for house renovation, we understand the importance of preserving key architectural features that are hallmarks of a building’s design. Triple-glazing and high-performance insulation that integrates with your home’s original aesthetic can significantly reduce energy consumption. 
 

planning permissions
 

One of the more technical aspects that homeowners may not consider in detail is the necessity of navigating building regulations and obtaining planning permission. 
 
Even if your property isn’t listed, substantial conversions or extensions often require planning permission and building regulations approval. In conservation areas, there are further considerations. 
 
As experienced planning consultants specialising in home renovations in Scotland, we are well-versed in making successful planning application submissions to all relevant local authorities.
 

why choose us to convert, renovate, or extend your home?


With a great deal of experience, particularly on rural estates, Thomas Robinson Architects has converted many types of buildings to new use for clients across Scotland. 
 
We understand old buildings in particular, and are ideal architects for home renovations and conversions of period properties, taking every tiny detail into consideration for exceptional results. Whether you need an architect for loft conversion or house renovation, our architects can increase the value of your property to its full potential. 
 
Get in touch today if you’re looking for award-winning house conversion architects in Scotland, including the Highlands and islands. Contact us here >