Architect for Georgian-Inspired Red-Brick UK House Concept

We are seeking an experienced residential architect or architectural designer for an exploratory concept-design exercise based on a real 0.66-acre property in Branksome Park, Poole, England. We do not own the property and are not commissioning planning or construction drawings at this stage. We want to understand what a thoughtful, realistic replacement home could look like on the published site before making any purchase decision. DESIGN VISION - Understated, Georgian-inspired two-storey house in warm red or multi-stock brick - Convincing classical proportions without an oversized “mansion” appearance - House and hard landscaping visually subordinate to the mature wooded setting - Strong connection between the kitchen/family spaces and rear garden - Two storeys above ground plus a basement - Double garage for two cars REQUIRED ACCOMMODATION Main family accommodation: - Three large bedrooms, all en-suite - Principal suite with private lobby, two separate dressing rooms and one large shared bathroom - Two separate enclosed home offices - Central entrance hall with an elegant feature staircase - Television-free formal living room - Formal dining space directly connected to, or immediately off, the kitchen - Large kitchen and family sitting area - Separate enclosed TV/snug - Pantry/larder, boot storage and practical circulation In-law/guest accommodation: - Integrated within the main building, not a detached lodge - Separated from the main family living areas - Large bedroom, en-suite, private lounge and storage - No separate kitchen, lift or wheelchair adaptation required Basement: - Generous utility/laundry room is essential - Gym - Plant and general storage - Gym shower or wellness facilities only if comfortably achievable The working construction budget is £800,000 excluding land and professional fees. This is intended to include the main house, basement and double garage. We expect the designer to challenge the brief, recommend a realistic target gross internal area and identify scope/area trade-offs rather than designing an unaffordable scheme. SITE AND PLANNING CONTEXT The test site is the following marketed property: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/174047420#/?channel=RES_BUY Published plot size: 0.66 acre, approximately 2,671 m² / 28,750 sq ft. The property is within the Branksome Park and Chine Gardens Conservation Area and has mature trees and boundary planting. The conservation guidance supports warm red/multi-stock brick, clay tiles or slate and traditional timber-window character, while requiring buildings to remain subordinate to the landscape. This commission is concept design only. The successful freelancer is not being appointed to provide UK planning permission, Building Regulations approval, structural/basement engineering or construction documentation. UK conservation-area and residential-planning experience is strongly preferred, but worldwide proposals are welcome. LAYOUT INSPIRATION Our circulation and layout inspiration is Sophie Paterson’s Surrey home in this tour: https://youtu.be/76CRjn9eLxg We are interested in its spatial principles, not copying the house: a generous central hall; main rooms directly off it; a connected but closeable sequence of formal living, dining and kitchen/family spaces; strong service rooms; fewer but larger bedroom suites; and a private apartment-like principal suite. REQUIRED DELIVERABLES 1. Review the supplied brief, property information, agent floor plan and reference material. 2. Recommend an initial target GIA and site/massing strategy. 3. Produce 2–3 genuinely different concept options, including: - site arrangement - basement, ground-floor and first-floor plans - approximate area schedules - key elevations and sections - simple 3D exterior massing - alternative positions/configurations for the integrated in-law suite 4. Refine one selected option following one consolidated client feedback round. 5. Deliver the final concept drawings and all agreed editable native/source files. The fixed-price budget is USD $2,500. We intend to agree three milestones: - 20%: brief/site review, assumptions and initial diagrams - 40%: 2–3 concept options - 40%: preferred concept refinement and final handover EXCLUDED FROM THIS COMMISSION Planning application or formal planning appraisal; measured/topographical/tree surveys; Building Regulations; structural or basement engineering; technical construction drawings; detailed interior design; landscape design; consultant coordination; and extensive photorealistic rendering. TO APPLY Please begin your proposal with the words “Leicester Road” and include: - Three closely relevant residential portfolio examples - Your exact role on each example - Experience with Georgian/traditional architecture, UK projects, conservation areas or mature-tree sites - Your proposed process and programme - Software and editable file formats supplied - What you consider the greatest design or feasibility risk - Any assumptions or exclusions Generic proposals will not be shortlisted.