Unity Architects

02/06/2026

Our conservation project in Leamington Spa continues to move towards completion.

The newly defined rear façade, using external materials of stone, brick and glass create dynamism via sections of solid and void. The material palette successfully blends old and new components in a harmonious way. The cantilevered oriel window maintains critical sightlines from the host dwelling whilst introducing a striking contemporary focal point to the rear elevation.

The cantilevered 440mm thick 'garden wall', which previously stood independently awaiting the glass, is now seamlessly integrated with the delicate, highly engineered structural glass enclosure. As beautifully captured within the site photographs, the juxtaposition between the textured facing brickwork and the pristine, contemporary glazing creates a compelling visual dynamic.

With the building envelope now secure and the internal sense of space fully tangible, the project will shortly advance into the final stages of the internal fit-out and finishing. We remain highly energised as we watch this exceptional addition to the Leamington Spa Conservation Area approach practical completion.

21/04/2026

Unity Architects has submitted an outline planning application to establish a new self-build/custom build dwelling within the rear garden of an existing property.

During last 20-years, 57% of the existing 40-metre-long private garden space has been underutilised, representing significant inefficiency. The developer client has recognised this trend and has ambition to use the land more progressively via the creation of an additional dwelling.

The Metropolitan Borough of Dudley has a significant shortfall of housing delivery, falling well beneath the government threshold. Beyond increasing land efficiency at this site, the creation of a new home contributes to the urgent requirement of supplying new houses within the borough.

Whilst there is strength to be found within the National Planning Policy Framework for the creation of sustainable development and bringing small sites forward for self-build and custom-build housing, significant sensitivity around such proposals remains.

Unity Architects has worked diligently with the developer client to ensure the proposal responds directly to the Dudley Council Residential Design (SPD). Strict attention has been applied to the requirements of garden land development including:

•Generating a ratio of built form to garden that is consistent with current use.

•Mitigating any adverse impact to the street scene.

•Creation of a low-impact, single-storey building that is akin to existing rear garden ancillary outbuilding development.

•Exceeding the nationally described space standards to deliver a high-quality internal living environment for the future end-user.

•Ensuring the host property benefits from the same external amenity space that is currently used.

•Providing the host dwelling and proposed dwelling with external amenity spaces that far exceed the minimum standards.

•Façade separation distances between habitable rooms, including mitigating measures to further safeguard privacy and outlook.

•Compliant highways access, including enhancements to off-street parking to meet the local parking standards.

•Distinct separation of land portions between the dwellings, including dedicated vehicular access and pedestrian circulation between the respective buildings.

•Ecological considerations that attend to protected species and locally identified nesting birds.

•Emergency fire services access, including hose length to furthest point of the proposed dwelling.

•Sustainability credentials such as on-site photovoltaic energy generation, battery storage, EV-charging, air sourced heat pump, high-performance thermal envelope and rainwater harvesting.

•Sustainable transport via dedicated on-site bicycle parking, encouraging connectivity to the local town within 5-minutes and the City of Birmingham within 45-minutes.

The intensive design exploration process delivers a compelling scenario for the creation of a new dwelling.

A high standard of design has been demonstrated, presenting a sustainable and well-integrated scheme that can positively contribute to the vitality of the local area and the much-needed housing supply.

We look forward to receiving the support of the local planning authority in consideration of this outline application, for what should be a delightful and widely obtainable new home.

05/03/2026

Unity Architects has submitted a planning application for sensitive extensions and alterations to an existing dwelling, located within the Royal Leamington Spa Conservation Area 30 – New Milverton.

The proposed works have been conceived as a small-scale urban intervention to stitch the northern edge of the development block together, attending to stepped frontages, sloping topography and a mixed vernacular.

Neighbouring dwellings of contrasting architectural style are located directly to the east and west of the application site. This presented an opportunity for the development to mediate between the modern and traditional expressions. Consequently, the proposal forms a hybrid aesthetic to further embed itself within the street.

We passionately hope the LPA will support this proposal for development, which significantly increases the existing dwellings contribution to the designated conservation area.

02/03/2026

🎉 Celebrating 5 years in business! 🏢✨

Unity Architects is thrilled to announce its 5th anniversary.

Over the past five years, the practice has had the privilege of transforming ambitious visions into inspiring, tangible realities.

Reflecting upon five projects of differing scale and design style, it has been an exciting journey of growth, exploration and creativity.

This milestone wouldn’t have been reached without the amazing people who make our work possible.

Extending a massive thank you to the clients for trusting Unity Architects with your spaces and dreams. Thank you to the many professional consultants operating throughout the built environment who embark upon the project journeys with us.

Here’s to the next chapter of building a beautiful future together! 🥂

02/02/2026

Construction has commenced at Tanglin House, one of Unity Architects’ 2021 projects.

A greatly anticipated build that will fundamentally alter the DNA of the existing dwelling.

20/01/2026

The previous construction updated showed the building wrapped, awaiting installation of the glazing systems.

The Maxlight team is now on site, installing glass to the facades and roof.

A triple pane door to the rear façade slides in all directions with no fixed panel, providing flexibility and daily intrigue subject to the end-user’s needs.

The oriel window introduces a beautiful projection into the garden, offering a moment of contemplation. Critically, the oriel window is located to ensure views from the host dwelling are unobstructed.

Structural glazing to the roof works in tandem with the oriel window, escalating the invisible characteristics of this portion of the project. The space will be flooded with natural daylight giving an airy feel. The glass roof establishes an ‘infinite ceiling’ to maximise the sensation of expansion and generosity.

The light-touch application of glass enlivens the cantilevered garden wall, encouraging a meandering relationship between the extension and the garden.

12/01/2026

📣As we approach three-years since professional appointment, Unity Architects is delighted to announce planning consent has been granted for the creation of a new dwelling in Cawston, Rugby.

11/12/2025

www.unityarchitects.co.uk/news/reimagining-existing-dwellings

Reimagining an existing dwelling in Leamington Spa. Unity Architects juxtapose existing and proposed floor plans.

08/12/2025

We are about to take an underutilised double garage and transform it into a delightful micro-project for our private client.

The typical garage is unremarkable in form and function. Rarely used for vehicles and more commonly used as mass-storage of household clutter. Here we turn the scenario on its head, transforming a detached garage into the showpiece of the property.

The existing double-garage has been divided in two. One half remains for vehicular use. The other half has been extended and adapted to provide leisure use for the homeowner. The main body of the garage conversion will function as a gym. A slender rear extension provides a compact sauna, shower and changing space. The glazed vestibule mediates between the external and internal spaces. An L-shaped cantilevered roof introduces a dominant architectural language, to conceal what would otherwise be an awkward junction between new and old construction. A square puncture in the L-shaped roof is positioned above the hot-tub for stargazing.

The architectural intervention improves the functional and experiential qualities of the home. The existing blank garage façade now animates the garden space and invites additional activity to parts of the home that would otherwise be unconsidered.

Unity Architects and SWJ Consulting are currently developing technical design material in preparation for a construction start early 2026. Technical design has included early contractor liaison and input from specialist manufacturers, ensuring the scheme benefits from construction pragmatics and material selection that balances performance with cost.

25/11/2025

We are excited to announce that Unity Architects has been appointed to creatively adapt an existing detached dwelling in the heart of Leamington Spa. Located within the historic town’s conservation area and in close proximity to several Grade II listed buildings, the design will require sensitivity and careful consideration in the grounding of the development.

As a result of adjacent development, the dwelling sits between two contrasting properties: one is modern, monochrome and minimalist; the other is traditional, with numerous chimneys and sash windows, representative of the surrounding early Victorian architecture. The stepped building line of the three adjacent properties contributes to an interesting street scene.

The project encompasses footprint expansion, modernisation of the existing layout, relocation of an existing garage outbuilding, reimagining the external amenity space and aesthetic upgrades to the principal façade.