Residential Architects Serving South Wales and the South West
Whether You're Extending, Renovating or Building New
At Dennis Hellyar Architects, we help homeowners across South Wales design homes they love. Whether that means extending into the garden, reconfiguring an existing layout, or building something entirely new, we make the whole process clear and straightforward from the very first conversation. We are a RIBA chartered practice with over 20 years of experience built into every project.
Every residential project starts with a feeling: a sense that your home could work better for you. Maybe you need more space as your family grows. Perhaps you have always wanted to open up the ground floor, add a bedroom, or finally do something with that unused loft. Or you may be right at the beginning, with a plot of land and a clear idea of what you would like to build.
Whatever stage you are at, our team brings the experience, local knowledge and practical design thinking to move your project forward with confidence.
Residential Projects We Have Delivered
Here is a selection of residential projects we have delivered for homeowners across South Wales and the South West. Each one started with a conversation.
Our Residential Architecture Services
We offer a range of services designed to support homeowners at every stage of their project, from an initial idea through to a completed building.
House Extension Design
We design high-quality extensions tailored to your property, including rear extensions, side returns, two-storey additions and more. We work closely with you to understand how you want to use the space, then develop a design that responds to your home's character, your budget and the planning constraints of your area. Whether you are in Cardiff, Barry, Penarth or anywhere across South Wales, we know the local landscape well.
Planning Drawings & Applications
Getting planning permission requires more than just drawings. It requires a genuine understanding of how your local planning authority thinks. We prepare clear, professional planning drawings and supporting documents, and guide you through the submission process so you move forward with confidence rather than guesswork.
Feasibility & Early Advice
Not sure what is actually possible with your property? Before committing to anything, it is worth understanding your options. We assess your property, review planning constraints and give you honest, straightforward advice so you can make an informed decision at the earliest stage.
Full Architectural Services
For clients who want complete support, we offer a full architectural service from initial concept through to construction. We manage the design process, coordinate with structural engineers and other consultants, and administer the building contract, giving you a single, trusted point of contact throughout.
Award-Winning Architectural Firm
Founded in 2013 after 20 years at large practices, Dennis Hellyar Architects brings the rigour of a bigger firm with the personal service clients value most. We are registered with the Architects Registration Board and hold Certified Passive House Designer accreditation, making us well-placed to advise on energy performance and sustainability across all project types.
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.
How Our Architects Work With You
If you have not worked with architects before, here is how our process typically works from first contact to completed project. Not every client needs all of these stages. We are equally happy to provide exactly the level of service your project requires.
Step 1: Initial conversation
We listen to what you are hoping to achieve. There is no commitment required at this stage, just a clear conversation about your ideas, your property and what is realistic.
Step 2: Feasibility and early advice
We assess your property, review any planning constraints and begin developing design ideas that respond to your brief.
Step 3: Design development
Working closely with you, we refine the design until it is right. We use 3D models and visualisations to help you understand exactly what you are getting.
Step 4: Planning drawings and submission
We prepare professional planning drawings and manage the submission on your behalf, drawing on our knowledge of local planning authorities across South Wales and South West.
Step 5: Building regulations and construction
Once planning is approved, we can take the project through building regulations, tender and construction, remaining your single point of contact throughout the build.
Ready to get started? An initial conversation with our architects costs nothing and will give you a much clearer picture of what your project could achieve.
Areas We Cover
We work with homeowners across a wide area of South Wales and the South West. Our studio is based in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, which puts us well-placed to serve clients across the region.
Cardiff and surrounding areas
We regularly work with homeowners across Cardiff, from Pontcanna and Roath to Cardiff Bay, Whitchurch, Llandaff and beyond. We have an in-depth understanding of Cardiff Council's planning policies and what it takes to get permission in both conservation areas and standard residential zones.
Vale of Glamorgan
Our studio is in the Vale, so we know this area particularly well. We work across Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and the surrounding villages, including properties in the Vale of Glamorgan's many conservation areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Swansea and West Wales
We work with residential clients across Swansea, Mumbles, Gower, Neath and Port Talbot. Planning in these areas involves a distinct set of policies, and our familiarity with the City and County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot planning authorities means we can guide you effectively.
Bristol and the South West
Our work extends east across the Severn into Bristol and parts of Monmouthshire, Newport and the wider South West. We are experienced in navigating planning requirements on both sides of the border.
Why Clients Choose Dennis Hellyar Architects
Here’s what sets us apart:
Over 20 years of combined experience in residential architecture across South Wales and the South West.
Strong understanding of local planning policies, including Cardiff Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council and City and County of Swansea.
Straightforward advice without unnecessary jargon.
Focused on practical, buildable solutions that work on site as well as on paper.
Friendly, collaborative approach from start to finish.
RIBA Chartered Practice, ARB registered, and Certified Passive House Designer accredited for your peace of mind.
Common Questions About Residential Architecture
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You are not legally required to use an architect, but working with a RIBA chartered practice significantly improves your chances of getting planning permission and ensures your extension is well-designed and properly built. We also save you time, because we know what local planning authorities expect and how to prepare applications that get approved.
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A residential architect takes your ideas and turns them into a buildable design. That involves understanding your brief, assessing what is possible within planning constraints, producing technical drawings and guiding you through the approval process. Some clients also use us to manage the construction phase, ensuring the builder delivers what was designed.
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Costs depend on the scale and complexity of your project. For a straightforward house extension, fees typically cover design work, planning drawings and application support. We are transparent about fees from the outset and will give you a clear picture of costs before you commit to anything.
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In Wales and South West England, most householder planning applications are decided within 12 weeks of submission. We will give you a realistic timeline based on your project and the local planning authority involved, and keep you informed at every stage.
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The title 'architect' is legally protected in the UK and can only be used by someone registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). All of our work is carried out by registered architects. We are also a RIBA Chartered Practice, which means we meet additional standards of professional conduct and quality.
If your question is not here, please visit our dedicated residential FAQs page for more information.