Who We Are
Morse Webb Architects are a RIBA Chartered Practice based in Hampshire with a diverse portfolio of high-quality buildings. With over 35 years of professional experience, we bring problem-solving creativity to every building project and play a critical project-management role as Lead Consultant for all of our clients.
Our friendly and expert team of qualified architects apply a simple and elegant approach to every project, from remodelling and restoring sensitive listed buildings, to creating the latest 21st century contemporary design.
We understand that every building needs to be individual to make best use of its site, complement its setting and to fit the brief and budget. We pride ourselves on being designers who will listen and hear what you are saying in order to transform your own unique vision to reality.
Whether a commission is a major new development or a small refurbishment, we apply the same high levels of care and always work to exceed our clients’ expectations.
Since our modest beginning Morse Webb Architects have been an RIBA Chartered Practice – a status that provides clients with the assurance that a Practice is managed in line with professional expectations. Our Directors and Studio Team are qualified Architects registered with the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB), as well as being members of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered status assures commitment to the best in design, management and client service.
THE PROCESS
For the procurement of all building projects we follow the 2013 RIBA Plan of Work, as it is a robust, industry standard framework - evolved over many years to provide assurance and structure to the building design and delivery process.
The plan provides a framework for the delivery of all building projects and a structure to our Project Management services. There is flexibility to this and it can be tailored to individual projects of any size, either new-build or refurbishment.
The Plan of Work gives a clear, legible and flexible structure to a project programme within which key milestones and delivery parameters are monitored. It is an Industry Standard Plan that is familiar to all Construction Professionals and facilitates efficient production and flow of information.
The core objectives of the Plan of Work stages are summarised below.
Every great project starts with getting to know you and your vision. During our first step together, often called RIBA Stage 0, we’ll visit your site and chat about your brief, what you want to achieve, and your overall budget and timeline. We'll also figure out the practical details, like whether we need to bring in any other specialists, ensuring we have a clear, realistic plan and fee proposal in place from day one.
Once we understand your goals, we move into the preparation phase (RIBA Stage 1) to start exploring what's possible. We'll gather all the essential details by organizing site surveys and looking into any local planning rules or sustainability opportunities. With this information, we put together a Feasibility Study featuring a few different initial sketch designs. We'll then sit down together to review these options, mix and match your favorite elements, and decide on the perfect direction for your project.Now that we know which ideas you preferred from the Feasibility Study, we move into the Concept Design phase (RIBA Stage 2), which is often the most exciting part of the process. We take those early concepts and turn them into proper, scaled drawings, collaborating closely with you to ensure the layout perfectly captures your vision. This is where the project really starts to come to life, as we pin down the big decisions together like the types of materials we want to build with and how we'll use windows and natural light to enhance your space.
As your design takes shape, we usually recommend bringing a Quantity Surveyor on board to ensure our emerging plans align nicely with your budget. Once we’ve settled on a concept you are completely happy with, it’s also the perfect time to introduce the ideas to the local council through a pre-application enquiry. By getting the planners' feedback early on, we can smoothly fold their advice into the design, saving time and making the final planning process much easier down the road.
With the concept design agreed upon, RIBA Stage 3 is all about refining the details and getting your project ready for planning permission. We finalise the exact layout and materials, carefully folding in the early feedback we received from the council and any specialist consultants. This ensures the design not only meets your expectations but also aligns perfectly with local building policies and guidelines.
Once all the necessary drawings and reports are pulled together, we submit the official planning application on your behalf. Our job doesn't stop there though, we actively monitor the application's progress and stay in constant contact with the local planning authority. Drawing on our experience, we handle any necessary negotiations and answer questions the planners might have, working hard to steer your project smoothly toward a successful approval.
Once we have planning approval, we take those drawings and add all the crucial nuts and bolts. During this Technical Design phase (RIBA Stage 4), we dive into the finer details with you, exploring the exact finishes, clever structural solutions, and any sustainable technologies you may want to include. It’s a highly collaborative step to ensure all the personal touches and ideas we discussed in our very first meeting are carefully woven into the final plans.
With these detailed drawings and specifications complete, we use them to secure Building Regulations approval, ensuring everything is safe and meets national standards. Behind the scenes, we coordinate the wider design team and check in with the Quantity Surveyor to keep everything aligned with your budget. Finally, we package all this technical information together so that a hand-picked selection of trusted contractors can provide accurate, competitive quotes for building your project.
This is the exciting moment where your ideas on paper finally start turning into reality. As construction begins, the project needs careful management through Contract Administration—handling the legal and financial side of the build. We can take on this role for you or work alongside your chosen administrator, focusing our efforts on regular site inspections to ensure the craftsmanship is top quality and matches the agreed design vision.
Throughout the build, we stay actively involved on site by holding regular progress meetings and answering any day-to-day queries from the construction team. Working closely with the Quantity Surveyor, we keep a close watch on the timeline and budget, reviewing any adjustments along the way and certifying payments to the contractor as key milestones are reached. This hands-on approach keeps everything running smoothly right up to the finish line.
The moment has finally arrived for us to hand over the keys, giving you the freedom to step in and enjoy your completed project. Even after you move in, our support doesn't end there. We stay in touch for a pre-agreed period to help you and the contractor seamlessly resolve any minor snags or defects that might naturally come to light as you start using the space.
Once all these final details are fully resolved, we issue a final certificate to officially conclude the building contract. After the dust has settled, we always appreciate hearing how you are settling into your new space. Learning about how the finished environment supports your day-to-day needs is incredibly rewarding for us and helps shape the way we approach our future projects.