Business Details
14 Years
experience
Award-Winning Architectural Design in Edinburgh
Founded in 2012, Staran Architects is an award-winning architectural practice based in Edinburgh and Kinross, Scotland. Our approach prioritises client-specific requirements, combining creative vision with technical expertise to deliver exceptional spaces. With a portfolio spanning residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, we work across the UK from the Outer Hebrides to London. Our collaborative process ensures projects align with individual client needs, whether for private homes, business assets, or property developments. We specialise in listed buildings, conservation areas, and urban regeneration projects, offering both traditional architectural services and architect-led design-build solutions.Our team includes registered architects, design directors, and technical specialists with decades of combined experience in sustainable design and construction. We maintain strong relationships with contractors and suppliers to ensure project delivery excellence. Our work has been featured in Grand Designs and the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, demonstrating our commitment to innovative architecture. We provide full-service support from concept to completion, including site selection, funding assistance, and bespoke joinery design. Our fee structure is tailored to project complexity, typically ranging between 8-12% of build costs for one-off homes.
Services
Residential Architecture
Commercial Architecture
Design-Build Service
Listed Building Projects
Sustainable Design
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- We offer 12+ years of architectural experience with award-winning projects
- Our collaborative approach tailors designs to individual client requirements
- We operate nationally across the UK with local expertise in Scotland
- We provide architect-led design-build services for complete project control
- Our team includes specialists in listed buildings and sustainable design
Services
Residential Architecture
We specialise in bespoke residential projects including new build homes, extensions, and listed building renovations. Our approach combines creative design with practical considerations to create functional living spaces. We work across Scotland and the UK, delivering projects from rural plots to urban conservation areas.
Commercial Architecture
Our commercial services cover hotels, restaurants, offices, and mixed-use developments. We focus on creating spaces that balance aesthetic appeal with operational efficiency. Recent projects include theatre conversions, distillery developments, and high-end studio apartments in Edinburgh.
Design-Build Service
This integrated approach combines architectural design and construction management under one entity. Clients benefit from streamlined communication, cost visibility from early stages, and quality control throughout the project lifecycle. Particularly suited to new build house projects across the UK.
Listed Building Projects
We have extensive experience working with protected structures, including B-listed lodge houses and A-listed Edinburgh properties. Our expertise ensures historical integrity is maintained while meeting modern living requirements through sensitive design interventions.
Sustainable Design
Environmental considerations are integrated into all our projects. We specialise in energy-efficient building solutions, sustainable materials selection, and passive design strategies to reduce environmental impact while maintaining architectural excellence.
People
James Ferguson
Co-founder
Registered architect with 15+ years' experience overseeing operations and contracts. Specialises in listed buildings and sustainable design. Leads high-volume residential and commercial projects.
Iain Shillady
Co-founder
Qualified architect with construction law expertise. Focuses on client collaboration and practical design solutions. Recently completed his own self-build project, understanding client challenges firsthand.
David Alexander
Design Director
First-class degree from Edinburgh College of Art. Combines technical skills with design sensitivity. Specialises in award-winning projects across leisure, healthcare, and commercial sectors.
Stuart Morrison
Project Architect
Joined Staran Architects in 2019. Works with residential and developer clients. Expertise in all project stages from concept to construction. Strong communication skills and attention to detail.
Nikolina Gencheva
Architectural Technologist
First-class honours graduate from Napier University. BIM software expert with focus on sustainable design. Assists architects with technical documentation and project delivery.
Questions
What types of projects do you work on?
We handle residential and commercial projects including new builds, extensions, listed buildings, hotels, distilleries, and mixed-use developments across the UK.
Where are your projects located?
We work nationally across the UK, with particular expertise in Edinburgh, Kinross, and surrounding areas for smaller projects.
What are your architectural fees?
Fees typically range 8-12% of build cost for one-off homes, calculated based on project complexity, scale, and required services.
Do you offer design-build services?
Yes, we provide architect-led design-build options for new build homes, managing projects from initial design through to construction and fit-out.
How long does the architectural process take?
New build houses typically take 2+ years including 4-6 months for planning, 4-7 months for technical design, and 10-14 months for construction.
Can you help with contractor selection?
We work with reputable contractors and offer full design-build services for new build projects depending on location.
Reviews (1)
Roderick Williams
Aug 03, 2021
Report
Positive:Quality
Great team of visionary architects, who designed and managed our family home extension. The process from start to finish was friendly, transparent and informative. Great job
Great team of visionary architects, who designed and managed our family home extension. The process from start to finish was friendly, transparent and informative. Great job
