About CK Architectural Manchester

CK Architectural is an award winning architectural company operating across Greater Manchester, with other teams across the UK.

Project design
New Build, Extensions, Conversions, Industrial Unit, Minor Site etc.
Structural engineer design/calculations
Commercial and Domestic projects
Home Improvements
Planning and building regulations application

Who We Are

CK Architectural Manchester is an enthusiastic, committed, approachable and affordable architectural design company, providing a comprehensive range of architectural services in Manchester and the surrounding areas. Our ethos is centred around creating only the highest quality work in the industry as well as the best value for money, giving a complete service that is tailored uniquely to each individual client.

We’re made up of architects, designers, technicians and technologists, as well as highly trained supporting staff, all dedicated to providing you with the best services possible no matter what your project, budget or constraints.

We operate across the whole of Greater Manchester, working on any project specification, from residential extensions and conversions to new build houses, complete estates, and any commercial too all through our highly experienced team.

Meet our team

Even with over a century of combined architectural experience, the CK team is constantly growing. We have a huge range of architectural staff ranging from designers, architects and technicians right through to expert administrative staff, sales and marketing teams, and I.T. experts too. That’s on top of the network of experienced professionals we work with outside of the HQ team to make sure that every project is carried out to only the highest standards.

Chris Lawson

Managing Director / Senior Designer

Chris is the founder and managing director of CK Architectural. He founded the business back in 2015 and set the whole business in motion to be the best architectural design firm in the country. Dedicated to only the best quality at affordable prices and being able to work with any project, no matter what the size, he is driven to complete his vision of delivering the best possible service, designs & builds to every client.

Kevin O’Leary

Project Manager / Senior Designer

With over 26 years of expertise in the design and management of building projects for a variety of clients including, residential, healthcare, commercial, education and pharmaceutical, Kevin is passionate about assisting individuals in fully optimising their properties. His technical proficiency ensures that his designs incorporate practical and sustainable solutions, making him an invaluable resource for property owners.

Liam O’Brien, BA (Hon) Architectural Design

Architectural Designer

Liam is our longest-serving architectural designer and is incredible at the craft. He works with the architectural team to make sure that every design is up to scratch, working on his own work as well as helping others, and even works with the sales team too, making sure that with his technical knowledge, everything is perfect for both current clients and those still waiting to take the plunge.

Stephen Gale, BA & B Architecture, ARB

Architect

Steve is our longest serving architect, spearheading projects of all shapes and sizes. He’s worked with huge commercial clients as well as smaller residential projects, giving each and every one the care and consideration they need, all the while, still never hesitating to go the extra mile and make sure clients have the best experience working with us and have the most successful project.

Matt Sharp, BA (Hons) Architecture

Senior Architectural Designer

Matt is a pivotal designer for the CK team, operating across the whole of the Yorkshire county as well as working with clients across the rest of the country too. He takes on projects of all sizes too, taking them from initial designs, surveys and any other client-based service right through to planning, building regulations and the project management stage.

Charles Speight, Bsc (Hons) Architectural Technology

Architectural Technician

Charles is a skilled technician working with the CK team. Based in West Yorkshire, he works on projects all over the country making sure that they are designed perfectly, supporting the architectural team and working with clients directly to ensure the perfect design. No matter what the project requires, Charles has the skills to complete it.

Graham Carr, BA (Hons) Architecture, Graduate Diploma in Architecture, Cmaps

Architectural Technologist

Graham is our longest serving architectural technician/technologist. He works with the rest of the team with his technical knowledge to solidify designs and drawings into practical and sustainable solutions that can be brought to life seamlessly.

Josh Daniel

Architectural Designer

Josh works with the whole team at varying levels to ensure that projects have everything they need to be successful in their design and applications. Working with clients directly as well as supporting multiple members of the team across the country, Josh provides a key role to the design team and is pivotal to our delivery.

Donna Wright

Senior Sales Administrator

Often the first port of call, Donna is the most experienced member of the CK sales team, spearheading client relations and making sure that every question a client may have about their project is answered, without all of the jargon. She makes sure our clients are happy and always informed about their project, no matter what stage of the process they’re in.

Karen Kirby

Senior Administrator

Karen is very much the driving force behind the business. She makes sure that all projects are moving forward as planned, all designs are at the highest quality, all of the staff members across the entire business know what they’re doing and when, and taking care of everything finance, too. That’s on top of helping out with sales and marketing!

Where We Came From

CK Architectural was formed in December 2015 by Chris Lawson and now operates across much of the UK with teams working in Manchester, Yorkshire, the West Midlands, Lincolnshire, Bristol and Gloucestershire too.

“My vision has been built from seeing the poor service from previous employers such as architects, surveyors and engineers. I want every client to get a consistent, reliable service even after the fee has been paid. I noticed in previous firms all the effort was made at the start of the project and after payment, things were slotted in.

I have created a system that ensures all planning and building regulations drawings go in on time with professionally prepared plans. Our drawings continue to improve as we listen to our clients and their builders. We will give options in design and explain them to you, along with cost and potential pitfalls. Our team of planning experts will let you know the likelihood of success or the best way to tackle larger developments. In short, I want a company that delivers to a high standard every time and our clients will always be glad they chose us to redesign their home or commercial property”

Feasibility Study
Site and Building Measured Surveys
Planning Advice and Submission
Project Management
Design Solutions
Architectural Design

What our customers say about us

Lars Cavi

13. November, 2020.

As a developer in Hull, I have been working with CK Architectural on many complex projects and they have always delivered a great professional service. Highly recommended. Lars

Peter Tyas

28. August, 2020.

Great service from the team at CK helping out with a every changing project design. Friendly and knowledgeable service, which I would recommend. Thanks.

Dave Turner

12. July, 2020.

Highly recommend CK Architectural. Chris and his team did a great job gaining planning permission for a new build and renovation of an existing property. We hit some dead ends with the planning officer but Chris found different ways of getting around the problems without going over budget.

Carl Newlands

10. July, 2020.

For someone far removed from the building / planning industries the thought of where to start when thinking of a big extension project to my house (two story to the side and wrap around of semi-detached 3 bed) was a little daunting at first. Luckily, after obtaining a competitive quote, I enlisted the services of CK Architectural and have been very impressed with not only the service received but the ease at which they have made the whole process. After listening to my thoughts and the reasons for needing the extension work doing, the architect came up with a great design that encompassed everything that was needed. Even when I changed my mind over a couple of aspects, Donna, Chris and the team were quick to administer any alterations. Every visit to the house for measurements / planning etc has happened without a hitch with all members of the team we've encountered being punctual and professional at all times. The best thing has been by far the ease at which CK have made of getting all council and local authority sign off for the project. All I have needed to do is pay the fees at the required time, no stress involved and all went through seamlessly. I'm now at the stage where I have the drawings to hand and have submitted them to builders to obtain quotes. Importantly, the feedback so far from the builders indicates the project to be within the budget specifications I explained to CK during the first consultation. Very happy customer 🙂 Carl.

Delwar Hossain

21. May, 2020.

Excellent Service and prompt!! I have taken CK's service twice. Chris and his team is very helpful and most importantly have enough patience to accommodate my frequently changing mind set. I would happily recommend any one to CK Architectural and wish them all the best.

Rockmetteller Woof

11. September, 2019.

Proffesional, helpful & a great price. Produced hard copies & electronic of everything we needed. What more could you ask for .

Carla Dulare

23. August, 2019.

Enjoyed working with CK on our loft conversion, kept us updated along the way and very happy with the outcome and the service. Would highly recommend

P Furley

23. August, 2019.

Great service and really helpful with any changes I wanted to make.

Journey to your designs

Survey/Self-Survey

First, once you choose to move forward with our service, we need to get some info. In most cases, this is a self-survey where you take rough measurements that we’re able to make drawings with. For larger projects, we visit the site.

Design Meeting/ Virtual Design Meeting & Screenshot

Step 2 is where we show you our drawings and discuss your likes, dislikes, and how to move forward. We can do this both in person and via online meeting to help make things as easy as possible.

Approval & Confirmation

Once you’re happy with the designs with any amendments, we’ll send you the first invoice. From there, we’ll issue your designs to you digitally, so you have them whenever you need them.

Submit to Planning

The next step is to submit your drawings to the planning portal after we add a location map, consult any 3rd parties and writing the planning and design statements. The Portal will get in touch with your directly for their fee, and then forward your application to the local authority.

Application Validation

Following the submission of your application, the admin & validation team from the local authority check the application fits the relevant criteria, before they validate it, send it back to us, and we forward it to you letting you know all the info you need.

The Planning Process

After this, the Planning Officer will write to the neighbours, highways, environment, relevant utility services etc regarding the application, and speak to the council and anyone objecting, too so it can be reviewed. They will then give you a decision date and begin to look through all of the information.

Approval

Once a decision is reached, you will be updated by us. We will then advise you on the next steps. If the application is refused, we will be in touch to discuss redesign/submission. There is no application fee for resubmission within 12 months.

Building regulations drawings

After approval of your planning application, we’ll move to building regulations. We’ll send you an invoice before then starting the detailed drawings to submit to Building Control. You can let us know if you have any new additions, amendments, or preferences as to construction here, too.

Builder tender (If requested)

Once the drawings are approved, we will send the drawings to our recommended builders for quotations if this is something you have opted for. We advise getting quotes from at least 3 builders to verify their prices and to find the right builder to suit your project.

Send drawing to BC and SE

Next up, we submit the drawing to Building Control and Structural Engineers as required. They let us know they have your application and check it against the 2013 legislation. Then, they write to us requesting amendments and clarification. We will update the drawings and answer the questions until we gain approval.

BC Sign off and Approval Letter

Once the building regulations drawings are approved, we’ll get in touch and let you know immediately. We’ll send you the drawings you can give to your selected builder where they become principal contractor and take responsibility form there. Your Building Control Officer will attend when required as instructed by the builder to sign off each stage of the works.

Receive drawings

Once the Building Control has signed off and approved the drawings, you will receive 3 large copies of the drawings in the post along with a completion pack. At this point our services will be finished unless you choose to use our project management service and we take things through to the completed build.