Home Renovations
Do I need Planning Permission to build a Garden Home Office?
“Can I work from home in a garden office?” Working From Home Covid-19 has meant that many of us have had to alter how we
24th June 2020
Residential Architects Oxfordshire
Need an Architecture Firm in Oxfordshire?
AURA are award-winning architects located in London and understand both the culture and the historic heritage of Oxfordshire and its unique suburban architecture. We want to discuss your desires for a quality home and make them a reality for you while adding value to your investments.
From ideas, designs, planning applications and project management through to completion of extensions, loft conversions, home offices and cottage conversions, our designs are energy-efficient with clean lines and simple designs, filled with natural light and sympathetic to the surroundings.
We advise homeowners and property developers from Chipping Norton to Henley On Thames and assist them with optimising layouts to maximise the enjoyment of your property and a good return on investment.
AURA Architecture specialises in residential projects for extensions, loft conversions and refurbishments, see more about us in the video to the left.
We have vast experience working with homeowners and on property developers’ projects in the Home Counties and have earned BUILD Magazine’s accolade for the Most Trusted Residential Architecture Practice for our Cromwell Road project. Our customer reviews on Google (4.9/5 average rating) and Houzz (5/5 rating) tell a story of their own.
Because of the mix of rural and city architecture reflecting ancient and modern history, the University of Oxford culture, biotech, the Ridge Way and the Cotswolds we deploy a sensitive approach to designs for clients to reflect the area’s heritage and add real current and future value to your home.
Case Studies for Our Residential Projects in Oxfordshire
Interested in our work? Our projects page has examples of our previous work across the south east.
Finding an Architect in Oxfordshire
Working with an architect can be a formidable sounding idea, particularly if it’s the first time you have ventured into such a project. We want to ensure that your dealings with us are as simple and as clear as possible – we understand that the architecture lingo can get a little confusing!
With this in mind, we have created informative blogs, a helpful FAQ page, and a YouTube channel which is frequently updated.
Architecture fees can be looked upon as an excessive expense rather than the value that they can bring. A good architect will use their knowledge to fully grasp your brief, while presenting recommendations to open up more possibilities.
Cost of an Architecture Firm in Oxfordshire
We have a transparent, fixed fee structure, which differs from many architects in Oxfordshire who will generally charge a percentage of the project costs.
All the quotes that we provide are fully itemised, allowing you to make an informed decision on which architect you decide to use. It also means that you can see how and where your budget is assigned. Boosting your budget to its full capacity will allow you to achieve more of the items you would want in your new home. However, we never like to see our clients go above their budget!
We thoroughly endorse getting all elements clearly laid out from the start of the project to ensure that you will not be left with any unpleasant surprises. We are open and transparent and want to work with our clients to maximise the value of their homes while meeting their specific desires and needs.
Using 3D imagery is a great way to help visualise your new home. This is one of our projects in London.
We Provide Fixed Costs
We loathe unpleasant surprises which is why our fees are clear and transparent, and we carefully detail your budget for each step of the process.
NOTE: We do not currently work on projects with a contract value that is less than £150,000.
Book a Home Design Consultation with our experts – £200+VAT*
Within this consultation, we will discuss:
- What your dream home looks like.
- Your design ideas and how to add value to your property.
- How to gain planning permission.
- Any site constraints that will need consideration.
- Anticipated building costs – here’s a useful blog on build costs.
- How to hire the right builder for your project.
*This fee is deducted from our charges should you proceed to the concept stage.
Adding Value to Homes in Oxfordshire
Extensions and renovations are a good way to add value to your home while simultaneously helping to create more space for growing families and adapting to work more from home in Witney, Banbury or Abingdon-on-Thames.
Within our property development and refurbishment projects we prioritise:
- Maximising space both in dwellings and gardens.
- Utilising natural light in original ways.
- Simplicity and understated elegance.
- Sustainable design and operation for the long-term.
AURA specialise in residential refurbishments, extensions, loft conversions, basement conversions and bespoke new homes with a high-end finish.
Get Started with your Architect
We provide a full architectural consultation. The combined experience of our team can take care of the whole designing and building process from start to finish including submission for planning permission and building control compliance to:
We are here to assist you with every step of your journey to your dream home.
Call us on 0118 309 0000 or complete our online enquiry form
Our Online Reviews
Scott Robertson
June 20, 2023
Professional, reliable, great to work with.
Highly recommended if you are renovating your house.
Carina Isabel Lopes De Carvalho
May 2, 2023
It is a company of excellence
Emily Stuart
January 25, 2022
I used Aura for a side return and rear extension, and a renovation of my first floor bathroom. I wanted something unique and characterful, with lots of natural light. Aura really went above and beyond my expectations, creating me a space that truly is more than I could have imagined.
From the initial consultation, where I felt immediately at ease with the team, to the transparency in their costings, all the way through the design process and project management, Aura have been consistently professional, communicative and flexible.
It certainly hasn’t been an easy time for anyone in the industry, but Aura’s solution-first attitude and their adaptability made it so easy to work with them through lockdowns, supply chain challenges, pingdemics and everything in between. It was a true pleasure to work with the team - they really do their utmost to make the process as straightforward, simple and enjoyable as possible.
I’d not hesitate to recommend Aura. They team are the perfect balance of creative and practical, imagination and solutions, to make whatever dream you have come to life.
Rob Birkin
November 18, 2021
Georgina
February 9, 2021
I chose to use Aura based on their reviews in June 2020. At first it was a really good experience and I was impressed with their professionalisim.
I received my drawings and wasn't completely happy with them. The 4 options I was given were all basically the same thing.
They never came to my property to see the space or get a feel for where the light was coming in etc. The bathroom on the drawing didn't make sense as it was so small. (See below). The snug was also like a meter so again didn't make sense.
I tried to escalate this to Ben, and I was offered another call but I had lost confidence in them.
My neighbour was also doing work on her flat which is a similar layout and in contrast her drawings were really well thoughtout. In the end I had to pay again to get my drawings redone. (Attachment P&S - one example of my new drawings below - the more detailed drawings).
I asked Aura for a partial refund as I never actually received a final drawing from them (despite paying for them) and they refused.
It was just a disappointing and expensive experience.
Anthony Egan
May 22, 2020
I recently contacted Aura Homes Ltd to discuss a small development project. The project was unusual and a lot of factors needed to be taken into account due to the location, site surroundings and practicality of the proposal.
I originally discussed it with Ben Richards who I found to be helpful, knowledgable and very accommodating in that he listened intently to give a fair assessment of feasibility.
Iris Kouneni was assigned to me and met with me to thoroughly discuss and understand what my intentions were. Like Ben, she digested my layman’s view and proceeded to give me her professional opinion.
Iris and Ben were an absolute delight to work with, professional, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and communicative to mention just a few of their qualities.
Unfortunately due to the COVID19 lockdown we have had to shelve the project.
It's been a pleasure to work with Aura Homes Ltd, refreshingly honest and professional.
I look forward to working together with them in the future.
Brendan Quinn
May 20, 2020
Thanks for reading this review. Ben is one of my monthly sponsors of the Property Events that I have run and also of the National Development Summit earlier in 2020. In a business setting I really appreciate Ben's support, particularly during COVid19- Ben had the option of pulling out of my events as a sponsor- as I have had to pivot- moving them online. Ben has continued to support these events as a sponsor, when he could have easily turned his back and moved on. Also at the National Development Summit 2020, Ben could see the effort I had put in to make the event, a great event, and himself and his team also equally put in huge effort. When you organise events, you ideally want things to go smoothly in terms of presenters turning up on time/before time, and with slides which are hassle free, and this Ben has done so. I have been to Ben's office several times and the staff have been really friendly. Ben's knowledge of working at Berkeley Homes, puts his company at a very high level.
Louise Hancock
April 13, 2020
Aura Homes is a highly professional firm of architects that always have the clients best interests at hart. The quality of their plans and drawings is superb and their turn-around when making amendments well within expected timelines. For bespoke projects, their research and recommendations (both in terms of quality and costs) is superb.
Harry Bucknell
April 10, 2020
Couldn't recommend Ben and his team more. We were in a really tricky position with our building project and Ben navigated us safely out of it. Superb guidance, great technical knowledge and what I really valued the most was the communication. Always got back to me promptly which makes a real difference when stress levels are high. Thanks Aura!
Eugene Clarke
April 9, 2020
The quality of work from Arua Architecture is to an excellent standard. We worked primarily with Ben and Gabby, they provide a friendly and professional service that minimised the worry and stresses associated with building projects.
We hired Aura Architecture to assist us with our building project. We appointed them for the following work:
- Regularisation on previous designs
- Planning conditions discharge
- Building regulation drawings
- Detailed designs
They came recommended from a Structural engineering company, and we were not disappointed.
Our Blog
Home Renovations
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Home Renovations
“Most Trusted Residential Architecture Firm: Greater London”
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