Business Details
10 Years
experience
Bespoke Architectural Design in Henley-on-Thames
We are a boutique architectural practice where clients work directly with our Directors, Chris Allan and Katie Allan, both registered Architects with the ARB. Our collaborative approach prioritises client needs through detailed brief exploration, leveraging over 20 years of combined experience in new builds, extensions, listed buildings, and challenging planning approvals. We operate with transparency about project realities, guided by a network of trusted consultants and builders.Our holistic design philosophy considers planning, interiors, and structural elements to deliver seamless projects in sensitive areas like Conservation Zones and Green Belts. We de-risk processes through early planning policy analysis and provide tailored support from feasibility studies to construction, ensuring projects meet both budgetary and design aspirations.
Services
Architectural Design
Feasibility Studies
Planning Applications
Detailed Design
Sustainable Solutions
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- Work directly with our ARB-registered Director Architects throughout your project
- Over 20 years combined experience in complex planning approvals and listed buildings
- Specialise in projects within Green Belts, Conservation Areas, and AONBs
- Create holistic designs integrating planning, structural, and interior considerations
- Transparent guidance helping clients avoid construction risks and hidden costs
Associations and certifications
- Architects Registration Board (ARB)
Services
Architectural Design
We create tailored architectural solutions, focusing on collaborative client engagement to develop unique residential projects. Our ARB-registered directors ensure technical excellence while integrating aesthetic and functional requirements. The service includes detailed spatial planning, material specification, and 3D visualisation for informed decision-making.
Feasibility Studies
Our feasibility studies explore multiple design options to identify the optimal solution for your site and budget. We provide cost estimates for different schemes, helping clients make informed choices about scale, features, and budget allocation while considering planning constraints.
Planning Applications
We manage the full planning process including preparation of design statements and coordination with specialist consultants. Our expertise covers complex cases in Conservation Areas and Green Belts, with strategic approaches to maximise approval chances while resolving design details early.
Detailed Design
This stage produces comprehensive construction drawings and specifications for builders. We coordinate structural, insulation, and service requirements while maintaining design integrity. The service includes building control submissions and technical detailing to ensure buildability and compliance.
Interior Specification
We provide curated interior solutions covering flooring, sanitaryware, and fixtures with trade discounts passed to clients. The service ensures design continuity from architecture to interior elements, combining aesthetics with practical functionality through material samples and detailed specifications.
People
Chris Allan
Director & Lead Architect
ARB-registered architect with extensive experience in commercial and residential projects. Specialises in technical detailing and structural strategy. Founded Fineline Architects in 2016 after working with major multi-disciplinary practices. Brings expertise in build-ability to every project.
Katie Allan
Director & Design Architect
Registered architect focused on seamless interior-exterior design integration. Holds expertise in planning policy analysis and heritage projects. Previously delivered luxury riverside developments. Specialises in creating flowing spatial arrangements that enhance liveability while maintaining design integrity throughout the project lifecycle.
Questions
What architectural services do you offer?
We provide full architectural services from initial feasibility studies through planning applications, detailed design, and construction support for residential projects including new builds, extensions, and listed buildings.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide free initial consultations for projects meeting our minimum construction value threshold of £200,000. This includes site assessment, opportunity identification, and preliminary guidance about the architectural process.
What areas do you cover?
We work primarily across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hampshire, but also take on projects further afield including international commissions for UK-based developments.
How do you handle planning applications?
We manage the full planning process including Design & Access Statements, coordination with specialist consultants, and strategic design approaches tailored to local planning policies. This includes handling complex cases in Conservation Areas and Green Belts.
What is your design approach?
We use a collaborative process combining technical expertise with creative solutions. Our services include 3D visualisation, material sampling, and multiple design options to help clients make informed decisions about their architectural projects.
Do you offer interior design services?
Yes, we provide specification services for interior finishes, fixtures, and fittings. We pass on trade discounts directly to clients while ensuring design continuity from exterior architecture through to interior detailing.
Reviews (4)
Sarah Potter
Aug 01, 2021
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We are thrilled with our kitchen extension - it has completely changed the way we live in our house! The kitchen is now the heart of the home and the formerly unused dining room has been transformed to a sitting area overlooking the garden. Katie took our initial ideas but suggested so many improvements (swapping the kitchen and dining room, adding a window seat in the kitchen, raising the patio to the same level as the house) which ultimately gave us so much more than we ever hoped for. The visualisations really helped us to envision the new space. It was a pleasure to work with Katie and Chris
Graeme Cook
Mar 21, 2021
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We have recently completed a knock-down rebuild project on our family home in Wargrave, Berkshire with Chris and Katie at Fineline Architects. We are absolutely thrilled with the project and cannot recommend them highly enough. Fineline supported us with the initial concept designs and selection, planning approvals, costings, tendering and selection of builder, project and contract management, right the way through to the administrative close-out of essential paperwork. Their professional and personal qualities have been absolutely outstanding throughout this multi-year project. Holding our hand
Stuart Hunter
Feb 27, 2021
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Hugely professional, supportive and always ensured the completed project was exactly how we had evisioned it. It was a pleasure.
Shahzeb Qureshi
Sep 06, 2018
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Very kind and professional architects. Made our first time house extension a much easier process and helped in every way that they could. Thanks to Chris and the team.
