Architecture Firm in South Wales specialising in Residential and Commercial Projects
Architecture That Works for People Everyday
Dennis Hellyar Architects is a RIBA Chartered Practice based in Barry, South Wales, registered with the Architects Registration Board and accredited as Certified Passive House Designers. We bring the rigour of a bigger firm with the personal service our clients value most.
We work with homeowners, businesses, housing associations and community organisations across Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Swansea, Bristol and the wider South West, delivering architecture that is practical, well-designed and grounded in real knowledge of the places we work in.
We are a firm that believes good architecture should make life better in practical, tangible ways. Not just buildings that look good in photographs, but spaces that work well for the people who use them every day. Homes that genuinely improve how a family lives. Commercial buildings that help organisations do what they do better. Housing that makes places for communities to live and thrive.
Residential Architecture
We help homeowners across South Wales and the South West design homes they love. From modest single-storey extensions to full renovations and one-off new builds, we bring the same care, expertise and personal attention to every residential project. We are collaborative in our approach and understand that a good project relies on a team with a broad range of skills and knowledge. The process can feel daunting if you have never worked with an architect before. We make it straightforward.
Commercial Architecture
We work with businesses, housing associations, councils and community organisations on commercial projects of all sizes. Our commercial portfolio spans award-winning social housing, industrial refurbishments, community facilities and public building remodelling. We understand what it means to deliver on a programme, within a budget and to the satisfaction of multiple stakeholders.
Our Projects
A selection of residential and commercial projects from across South Wales and the South West.
Award-Winning Architectural Firm
From residential extensions in Pontcanna to a £27M social housing regeneration scheme for Cardiff City Council, our track record speaks for itself. Our Cwrt Parc development won the Best Social Housing Award at the Building Excellence Awards 2020.
We are proud of the work we do and the relationships we build with our clients. Architecture is a long process, and the people you work with matter as much as the drawings they produce.
Our small team has steadily grown over the life of the practice and has been established in it's current form for the last six years. We like to think this is because we enjoy our work and the way we collaborate together.
Our Architecture Services
House Extension Design
Your home is already there. We help you make the most of it. Whether you need more space, a better layout, or a design that finally opens up to the garden, we design extensions that respond to your home's character and your family's needs, and that are built to get through the planning process smoothly.
Planning Drawings and Applications
Getting planning permission requires more than a set of drawings. It requires an understanding of what local planning authorities actually want to see. We prepare professional planning drawings and supporting documents and guide you through the submission process, drawing on years of experience with councils across South Wales and the South West.
Feasibility and Early Advice
Not sure what is possible with your property or site? Before you commit to a full design, it is worth understanding your options. We assess your property, review the planning constraints that apply and give you a clear, honest picture of what could be achieved. It is the most cost-effective step you can take at the start of a project.
Full Architectural Services
For clients who want complete support from first idea to finished building, we offer a full architectural service for both residential and commercial projects. We manage the design, handle planning and building regulations, coordinate with engineers and contractors, and administer the building contract throughout construction. One team, one point of contact, from start to finish.
Why Clients Choose Dennis Hellyar Architects
Local Knowledge That Makes a Difference
We know the planning authorities we work with. Cardiff Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, City and County of Swansea, Bristol City Council. We know what they expect and how to prepare applications that get approved.
Straight Answers, Every Time
We do not tell clients what they want to hear. We tell them what is actually achievable, what the risks are and what we recommend. Clear, honest advice from the very first conversation.
A Collaborative Approach
One person can't know it all. Within the Studio, we share our ideas, problems and concepts, so Clients benefit from the combined creativity and knowledge of the studio, not just the Architect working on the project.
Sustainability
Certified Passive House Designer
We believe good design should also be responsible.
Our work incorporates sustainable design principles where appropriate, helping to improve energy performance, reduce environmental impact and create comfortable, efficient spaces.
We hold Certified Passive House Designer accreditation, meaning we can advise on low-energy design and build to the highest standards of energy efficiency for clients who want it.
Based in Barry, Working Across South Wales and the South West
We have particular depth of knowledge in the areas we work in most regularly, and that local knowledge makes a genuine difference to how we design and how we handle planning applications.
Cardiff
Residential and commercial projects across the city, with in-depth knowledge of Cardiff Council's planning policies and conservation areas.
Vale of Glamorgan
Our home patch, covering Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and the rural Vale, including Heritage Coast and conservation area sites.
Swansea and West Wales
Covering the city, Mumbles, the Gower AONB and the Neath Port Talbot area.
Bristol, Bath and the South West
Including South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and the M4 corridor, with knowledge of council planning policies and Article 4 directions.
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