The brief for our project in Rugby Road, called for a side extension and the opening up of a ‘messy’ interior with improved connection to the garden, in order to create a light, bright and contemporary kitchen/dining space. The result has exceeded expectations.

It features a full height and wide glazed window which merges into a rooflight with a frameless glass to glass connection set in a Sedum roof which helps integrate the extension into the garden setting.

Click to link to Rugby Road Project

Here at Brunswick Terrace on the seafront we have opened up two rooms to create an impressive kitchen, living and dining room.  The kitchen which was languishing in the rear is now integrated with the living space. A new bedroom with en-suite replaces it. Our range of successful listed building projects in Brighton and Hove is based on our successful relationship with the heritage department in Brighton, and in particular, a thorough understanding of the process which is particularly detailed.

Click to link to Brunswick Terrace Project 

Located in a prominent position within the Hove Conservation Area, this project transformed a flat into a spacious duplex by converting and integrating an existing storage room at lower ground level. Planning permission was secured for a new front lightwell to bring daylight into the basement and for larger rear glazing to open up views of the garden. The redesigned lower ground floor now accommodates a bedroom, en-suite, and small gym, creating valuable additional living space. Drawing on our experience of over 30 basement projects and extensive work on listed buildings, Shape Architecture successfully navigated the sensitive planning process, including close attention to details such as brick specification.

Click to link to our project in Third Avenue

Our project at Norfolk Road involves an extensive roof terrace in a prominent conservation area, adjacent to a listed building. Accessed via a glazed box, the new terrace provides valuable outdoor space and sweeping views, transforming a property with only a small garden. Alongside this, two substantial first-floor rear extensions were added, creating en-suites and walk-in wardrobes for the rear bedrooms. The result is a home that combines sensitive design with significant improvements in light, space, and functionality.

Click to link to our Norfolk Road Project

This project focused on reworking and extending a rear structure in Sandgate Road, where elegant detailing and careful material choices were central to the design. The existing single-storey rear addition, which housed the kitchen, was rebuilt at ground level to improve thermal performance and accommodate a new kitchen. Above, a new storey was added to create a contemporary bathroom. Key features include frameless glass-to-glass windows and green sedum roofs, combining modern design with sustainability and light-filled interiors.

Click to link to our Sandgate Road Project

A rear extension with a green sedum roof and the creation of a triple-height space above a repositioned stair have redefined the home’s character. On arrival, the interior feels light, spacious, and contemporary. A simple Velux rooflight brings daylight deep into the stair void, while the new oak stair—with open risers and a glass balustrade—adds elegance and enhances the play of light. From the upper floor, views are improved, and the sedum roof enriches the sense of garden space, making this compact property feel both generous and connected to nature.

Click to link to our Barclay Cottages Project

Common to all our projects is the use of glass to bring natural light into all parts of a project and to provide a better visual and physical connection between the Interior and exterior.

“Shape Architecture have successfully met the criteria laid down in a number of ways including the creation of an interior that works around the principles of transparency, openness and light. Their attention to detail was exemplary.”

– Mr. P Gillies , Transformation of Listed Apartment

Shape Architecture has been successful in obtaining planning permission for roof terraces throughout Brighton and London.  These vary form listed building to Mews houses.  In Brighton we have recently obtained permission for a large roof terrace in a conservation area in Norfolk Road, accessed via a three sided glass box.   Prior to that we obtained permission for a roof terrace to Cavendish House on the seafront opposite e the i360.

Click to link to Norfolk Road Project

Our Client at Norfolk Road writes: “Simply blown away by our planning permission being granted for a roof terrace. Especially since we were told by residents on our street that it was impossible to achieve this. Thank you to the stellar team for such a smooth and efficient process. We cannot wait for the next phases now.”

Our range of successful listed building projects in Brighton and Hove is based on our successful relationship with the heritage department in Brighton, and in particular, a thorough understanding of the process which is particularly detailed.

Click to link to Brunswick Terrace Project 

Our Client at Brunswick Terrace writes:  “We’ve been working with Shape Architecture on a rebuild/restoration of a flat in a listed building, which required a lot of work. Throughout the entire process, the work that Jason has done has been perfect, starting with a completely painless planning process, through the tender process for the contractor to completion of the different stages of the project.

Our portfolio of work contains over 30 basement projects.  Here the bringing in of natural light into the space is key in creating a quality of space and this is where we have much experience.  Our basements range from mews properties to houses and below gardens and flats.

Click to link to Third Avenue Project

Our Client at Third Avenue writes: “I have been super impressed with every aspect of the service from Shape. I had quite a complex project where I was planning to turn my flat into a Duplex.  I cannot personally recommend the team at Shape more highly and I have been so pleased with every aspect of their service – a telling sign (for me) was all the people around the project from the party wall surveyor to the building team etc, etc did not have anything but praise for Shape as well.”

Shape Architecture communicates clearly to our clients, and this is at the foundation for a successful project.  All designs, no matter what size are developed in 3D alongside freehand drawing.  A typical concept proposals brochure will have 4 or 5 different options described in 3D, 2D and freehand drawings and this will be the basis for discussion with the Client as we determine the preferred design.

As a practice we have always taken students for work experience from local schools each July.  The schools include BHASVIC, Varndean College, Dorothy Stringer and Steyning Grammar.  Each student is set a design project, a favourite being to design a sustainable house on an island in a Scottish loch.  We help the students sketch, draw in 2D CAD and finally make a 3D computer model.  Both students and ourselves always enjoy these placements.

Jason Wren  RIBA, ARB, BA Hons, Dip Arch, Msc

I completed my architectural degrees at the University of Brighton, graduating in 1992 and then returning to take my Part 3 professional qualifications.  I also took a Master of Science Degree in Computer Visualisation at the University of Dundee graduating in 1993.  Following this I moved to London and for twelve years worked at leading architectural practices rising to Associate Director Level and working on a wide range of groundbreaking sustainable projects in the school and community sectors.

I established Shape Architecture in 2006, to focus on a high-quality design led and Client focussed approach to residential projects.  Informed by expertise in sustainable design and a wide range of methods of construction.   What interests me in the work we do is its breadth and diversity both in location and project type and size.  We make every effort to keep this approach at the core of what we do.  I also enjoy working alongside a range of talented consultants who support us in our work, most of whom we have been working with for twenty years or more.

Outside of practice life, I enjoy painting, drawing, and walking in the South Downs and Scotland alongside supporting Brighton and Hove Albion.  Often accompanied by Sid, our Fox Terrier.