Business Details
Your Trusted RIBA Chartered Architects in Derby
Blair Gratton Architects is a RIBA Chartered Practice based in Derby, dedicated to transforming architectural visions into reality with a focus on sustainability, conservation, and innovative design. With over 130 years of combined experience, our team specialises in residential, commercial, and heritage projects, offering tailored solutions from feasibility studies to on-site contract management. Our approach prioritises collaboration, ensuring clients benefit from our expertise in planning applications, building regulations, and technical design. We are committed to preserving historical integrity while integrating modern sustainability practices, such as energy-efficient systems and eco-friendly materials. Our directors, Simon and John Gratton, bring decades of professional accreditation and industry leadership to every project.As a practice, we maintain strong relationships with local authorities and conservation officers to navigate complex approvals seamlessly. Our portfolio spans eco-homes, schools, churches, and listed buildings, reflecting our versatility and dedication to quality. We adhere to the highest professional standards set by the Architects Registration Board and RIBA, ensuring ethical and regulated consultancy services. Clients receive a comprehensive package, including design consultancy, planning permissions, and project administration, tailored to their specific needs. By combining tradition with innovation, we deliver spaces that inspire while meeting the practical demands of modern living and environmental responsibility.
Services
Conservation Architecture
Sustainable Design
Surveys and Inspections
Church Projects
Heritage Conservation
Highlights and features
- We have over 130 years of combined experience in architectural design and conservation.
- Our team includes RIBA Chartered and Conservation Architects with specialist accreditation.
- We offer tailored services for heritage, eco-friendly, and modern architectural projects.
- No obligation consultations available for all our architectural and design services.
- Proven expertise in navigating complex planning and conservation approvals.
Associations and certifications
- RIBA
- Architects Registration Board
Services
Conservation Architecture
Our conservation architecture services focus on preserving historical buildings while integrating modern functionality. We specialise in listed buildings, churches, and conservation areas, ensuring compliance with RIBA methodologies and local authority requirements. Clients benefit from our expertise in traditional materials and techniques, alongside guidance through complex approval processes for sustainable heritage solutions.
Sustainable Design
Sustainable design at Blair Gratton Architects prioritises energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. We create spaces exceeding thermal efficiency standards using UK-sourced materials and passive climate control systems. Our projects, from eco-homes to schools, demonstrate how modern sustainability principles can coexist with aesthetic and functional design, reducing long-term environmental impact without compromising quality.
Surveys and Inspections
We conduct comprehensive building surveys and inspections, including structural evaluations and condition reports. Our services cover residential, commercial, and ecclesiastical properties, identifying necessary repairs or upgrades. Utilising drone technology and traditional methods, we provide detailed insights to inform renovation or conservation strategies, ensuring client projects meet regulatory and safety standards.
Church Projects
Specialising in church architecture, we manage projects ranging from quinquennial inspections to major renovations. Our team, including a Diocese-approved Church Inspecting Architect, handles faculty applications, conservation work, and liturgical design. We balance historical preservation with practical needs, ensuring spaces remain functional for congregations while respecting architectural heritage and ecclesiastical guidelines.
Heritage Conservation
Heritage conservation services address the unique challenges of listed buildings and conservation areas. We provide specialist reports, material analysis, and liaison with conservation officers to secure approvals. Our approach combines traditional craftsmanship with modern compliance, ensuring projects maintain historical integrity while meeting contemporary usage requirements through meticulous planning and execution.
People
Simon Gratton
Director and Conservation Architect
Simon Gratton qualified as a RIBA Chartered Architect in 1998 and specialises in conservation projects. With extensive experience in heritage buildings, he serves as a Church Inspecting Architect for the Diocese of Derby. His expertise ensures projects balance historical integrity with modern functionality.
John Gratton
Architect
John Gratton is a RIBA member with 50 years of experience in architectural practice. His career spans diverse projects, focusing on technical design and conservation. His deep knowledge of traditional construction methods supports complex heritage and modern architectural solutions.
Ray Harlow
Senior Technician
Ray Harlow joined the practice in 1970 and brings decades of technical expertise. As a senior technician, he specialises in detailed design specifications for heritage and modern buildings, ensuring precision in every project from initial concept to completion.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialise in?
We specialise in conservation architecture, sustainable design, church projects, heritage conservation, and building surveys. Our services cover residential, commercial, and ecclesiastical sectors with a focus on historical and eco-friendly solutions.
Are you accredited by professional bodies?
Yes, we are a RIBA Chartered Practice and our architects are registered with the Architects Registration Board. This ensures adherence to professional standards and ethical guidelines in all our projects.
How do you handle listed building projects?
We guide clients through listed building consent applications, material selection, and traditional construction techniques. Our team ensures compliance with conservation regulations while meeting modern functional requirements for heritage properties.
Can you assist with sustainable home renovations?
Yes, we design energy-efficient renovations using sustainable materials and passive climate control systems. Our eco-home projects demonstrate how to achieve modern comfort while reducing environmental impact through innovative architectural solutions.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, we provide free initial consultations at our Derby office to discuss your project. This allows us to understand your needs and explain how our services can bring your architectural vision to life.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Derby, Derbyshire, and surrounding regions including Dorset and Chesterfield. Our expertise in local planning and conservation requirements ensures tailored solutions for projects across these areas.
