Property & HMO Development Architects
AURA Homes was founded by Ben Richards, who has previously worked with architects, engineers and one of the largest property development companies in the South East — the Berkeley Group. Ben helped add tens of millions of pounds to the bottom line of some of the most ambitious property development schemes in SW London.
His team have also worked in-house for property developers, running feasibility studies and development appraisals alongside carrying out their own investments and developments. This is why AURA brings a commercially focused, value-maximising mindset to every client scheme.
Ben also co-owns a property development business, XP Property (www.XPproperty.co.uk), giving AURA a first-hand understanding of the entire development life-cycle — from finance and planning through to delivery and sales.
His network of construction professionals, agents, financiers and designers is a significant asset for any client working with our property development architects. Ben has even brokered a cash injection of £270,000 to support one of his developer clients.
Aura Homes For Property Investors
Can we help you with your develpment?
AURA Homes works with property developers, investors and landowners to unlock site potential through planning-led architectural design. As experienced property development architects, development architects and architects for developers, we help clients navigate planning policy, optimise site layouts and maximise long-term project value across residential developments throughout the UK.
Our team supports a wide range of residential property development projects including apartment schemes, residential conversions, mixed-use developments, extensions, new-build homes and HMO developments. As experienced residential development architects, we provide commercially focused design solutions that help developers unlock development potential while reducing planning risk.
Watch a few of our property development site tours!
From feasibility studies and property development planning through to planning applications, technical design and project coordination, we support developers through every stage of the development process. Our expertise in planning strategy, development constraints and site optimisation helps create commercially viable and carefully considered schemes.
We also specialise as HMO architects and HMO conversion architects, helping developers maximise property value through efficient layouts, planning-led HMO architectural design and compliant residential conversion strategies. Whether working on residential developments, planning-sensitive sites or property investment projects, AURA Architecture delivers architectural services tailored to developers, investors and landowners across the UK.
Why use AURA for your Property Development?
We not only add value through maximising space for property developers and investors but our AWARD-WINNING design for one of our private homeowner clients was featured in BUILD Magazine 2019 and Commercial Converion of The Year 2026.
This is why AURA Architecture is your best choice for your next property development project in London or Surrey. Many of our talented team of architects, designers and technicians carry out their own property developments. Because of this, they understand the whole property life cycle….from finance to utilities to sales brochures and all the other facets of development.
Not only do our schemes look great and add value through design, but they also maximise square footage, are practical to build, and are delivered quickly!
Client Testimonial
Rated 5 out of 5
“We worked with Aura Homes on a large light industrial to 21 flats scheme. Aura were a pleasure to work with throughout the project. They came up with a really unique and clever design which maximised our potential Gross Development Value from the project. I would highly recommend them.”
Featured Projects
Trehurst: High-end 6 Bed HMO with Kitchen and Loft Extension (Hackney)
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Fernside: Fantastic Victorian Home to 6 Bedroom HMO (Balham)
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Sunset Court: Office Conversion + New Build Houses (Buckinghamshire)
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42 Nevern Square: Renovation & Extension to Create 18 High-Quality Flats (Earls Court)
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Rostrevor: Double Extension, Basement & Loft Conversion (Fulham)
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The Old Maltings: Commercial to 21 Flats & 2 Houses (Abingdon)
More DetailsAs experienced HMO architects, we help property developers and investors unlock the full potential of residential and mixed-use schemes through planning-led architectural design. Whether converting existing properties into HMOs or designing new multi-occupancy developments, we optimise layouts to maximise Gross Development Value (GDV), improve return on investment (ROI) and increase long-term rental yields.
Our expertise covers HMO conversions, planning applications, Article 4 areas, space optimisation, fire safety requirements and licensing standards, helping clients navigate planning policy while reducing development risk. From initial feasibility studies and planning strategy through to technical design and project delivery, we create commercially viable schemes that maximise asset value and investment performance across the UK.
