ABRACAD Architects have been established for over 25 years with much of our work coming from recommendation and with a high proportion of repeat business. At any one time we are usually dealing with over 50 ongoing projects in their various stages, from multi-million pound developments to residential extensions.

As an independent private architectural practice, based in Bracknell, we primarily design buildings and project manage their construction within constraints such as site specific, time, cost and safety. We have now accumulated considerable experience, become familiar with the complex bureaucratic systems, and established a wide network of useful contacts.

Good design should be seen as an investment. A well designed building is more valuable than a badly designed building and may not necessarily cost any more to build. We can often make you money by negotiating a valuable planning permission and save you money by designing an energy efficient and low maintenance building.

Some designers like to promote a particular style, but all our designs are different because all our clients and their circumstances are different. We start by listening to you to try to understand your particular needs and desires, and accept that the client is always right! We also practice what we preach and still happily live and work in the dwelling and studio we designed and built for ourselves 25 years ago.

The most valuable part of our service is often our initial advice and ideas which can sometimes highlight a better way forward. Our training and considerable experience enables us to add value to every project and provide solutions to all types of building problem.

Over the years we have been successful both at negotiating and securing the best possible planning permissions in the shortest possible time (in some cases making our clients considerable profit) and in designing places that people like and which therefore also sell well when the time comes.

Some clients get so frustrated with the Planners that they resort to extreme measures, like this one in Oxford - if only they had contacted us...

So, if you want a magical service at a wanderful price, just think of Abracad and say the name twice!

Why employ Abracad?

Qualified Architect with over 25 years experience involving over 1,000 miscellaneous projects, including actual building experience.

Imaginative and practical designs.

Independent local service.

All technical drawings are computer based using the latest AutoCAD software (accurate/versatile, consistent, easily altered, colourful, data backed up, files able to be e-mailed, 3D/animation if required etc) with digital photos incorporated all to the highest standard, click here for example drawings. Drawings for site can be bound and laminated.

We add value with our designs, deal with planning and building regulations applications and can see the project through to completion.

We maintain Professional Indemnity insurance and keep up-to-date with new developments.

By keeping our overheads low and not being greedy we are able to charge relatively low fees (often less than 50% of those recommended by the Royal Institute of British Architects) and therefore we don't need to conceal our prices!

We have a powerful networked computer system linked to the Internet with Broadband for rapid file transfer and to enable us to source the latest product information.

We have worked on most types and size of building project, large/small, contemporary/traditional, some involving thatch and stone, many Listed or in Conservation/Green Belt areas, but all individually designed to suit the situation, resulting in several awards.

We have developed a first class reputation and mean to keep it.

We are hard working, efficient, friendly, highly motivated, easy to contact and have a sense of humour!

The team:

Alistair Lloyd (BA Hons Dip Arch Dip UD, ARB Registered Architect) has been in private practice for over 25 years since gaining a good degree in Architectural Studies, a Diploma in Architecture and a Diploma in Urban Design, all at Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes University). Alistair started out working on building sites and took a year in 1983 to design and build 'The Atrium', which won the Southern Region Energy Award. Married with 2 daugters aged 24 & 22, Alistair has played team squash for Wellington College for many years and enjoys travelling.

Sarah Lloyd constantly helps with the secretarial, administrative and financial aspects of the business, and also works part-time at the local school on a daily basis. Interests include horseriding and yoga.

Steven Turner (HNC in Construction and a City in Guilds in AutoCAD 2D level 4) has worked for Abracad full time as an Architectural Technician for the last 11 years following 2 years of practical building experience on site, working on the full range of our projects, at all stages, and nicknamed 'fearless fingers' by one of our clients who was amazed at Steve's ability with the computer. Steve is also keen on sport.

designing better buildings