Architects in Portsmouth

We are an architectural practice specialising in obtaining planning permission and listed building consent for projects in conservation areas in Portsmouth & Hampshire

Portsmouth harbour

Portsmouth is an island city with a rich maritime legacy and its history stretches back over 800 years. In the 12th century, it became a fortified town. The Hilsea Lines and the surrounding ramparts were designed to protect the city from inland attack. By the reign of Henry VIII, the city had become the principal naval port of England and it played a key role in conflicts such as the Napoleonic Wars, World War I, and World War II.

The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is now an important destination, home to some of the most famous ships in British naval history including The Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s flagship and the HMS Victory, the 18th-century warship commanded by Admiral Lord Nelson during the Battle of Trafalgar.

The challenge is to bring Portsmouth’s stories to life, reinterpret its history through its heritage and through design help bring our clients stories into being.

Local knowledge and Expertise: Work we have completed in the City of Portsmouth

Lecturing at the University of Portsmouth
Graham is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth.

Graham led one of the final year undergraduate design studios at the University of Portsmouth in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

Graham is the founding director of GFA Architects based in London and Portsmouth.

Hyde Park Boating Pavilion interior view

The studio has been located in Gosport. The focus has been to bring Gosport’s heritage to life through re-imagining the historic buildings and making new connections from The Waterfront and the High Street to the Royal Clarence Yard, Priddy’s Hard and Haslar.

Architects serving residential & commercial clients in Portsmouth

At Graham Ford Architects we serve homeowners and developers all over the City of Portsmouth, including:

St Thomas
Fratton
Hilsea
St Jude
Charles Dickens
Paulsgrove
Central Southsea
Baffins
Cosham
Eastney & Craneswater
Nelson
Drayton & Farlington
Milton
Copnor
Basement development Camden
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Basements in Portsmouth

London-gym-basement

We have specialist knowledge of basement design around Portsmouth.

We can advise you on what documents you need to prepare for the council, which engineers can produce the reports that are required, which builders you should use and the timeframes to gain planning permission.

Costs of Basement Construction in Portsmouth

Allow for a minimum of £7200 plus vat per m2.

Note depending on complexity your costs could be substantially greater.

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Reviews from our clients

Sports Buildings Architect in Portsmouth

Hyde Park Boathouse for the Olympics

We have considerable experience designing buildings for sport having worked on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have recently designed a pool and gymnasium for a sports club in Kingston.

We design fishing and boating pavilions, sports grandstands and seating, temporary sports facilities, gyms, changing rooms, sports club pavilions (rugby, football, tennis, swimming, hockey, netball, polo, boating, yachting), catering facilities and pavilions.

If you need a new pavilion or clubhouse for your school or club in Portsmouth then we have the expertise to help you.

Copper Box Stadium Design
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Commercial Retrofits in Portsmouth

If you are looking to renovate your commercial office building to meet your sustainability goals and the expectations of your tenants and achieve a high energy performance certificate (EPC) we can help.

We have experience renovating office buildings including the grade 2 offices behind Heals department store in Bloomsbury. 

Heals office CamdenHeals office Camden
Heals office CamdenHeals office CamdenHeals office Camden
Heals office Camden

What You Want: A Project That Runs Smoothly

Are you looking for an architect who has experience in the area of Portsmouth?
Are you a building owner who needs help with the renovation of your building to gain listed building consent?
Do you feel overwhelmed with the complexity of gaining planning permission, building regulations + procurement, and project costs?
Do you want someone to help you write your brief and build a team that will be capable of gaining the statutory permissions including planning and building control sign off, so your project runs smoothly?
Do you want a creative but no-nonsense step-by-step guide to getting all the permissions you need with a team that provides all the support you require?

If so, we can help.

We can advise on the feasibility of both new build or renovation projects ranging between 100K and 7 million pounds in construction value.
Our principles will guide your project from start to finish and will ensure your project runs smoothly with an elegant result.
Our aim is to manage the risks, create a team that will give you the best chance of planning success and our work will increase the value of your home.
540 04 COMPASS COURTHouse renovation in Westminster
“A project with a construction value of over 100k must run smoothly”
We design houses, apartments and sports buildings.
We are best known for the design of buildings in conservation areas and in Royal and regional parks.
We know that taking on a large construction project is a daunting process, that is why working with us, with our experience in Westminster, will ensure your project progresses smoothly.

Architects Experienced in Risk Management

We have been employed as project managers working with Transport for London and we have built a new railway station.

The skills we gained on these projects including our knowledge of risk management will help to make sure your project (even if it is a residential extension of basement) is delivered on time and on budget.

Brook Green house renovation facade

Renovation of Listed and Historic Buildings in Portsmouth

We have been involved in a number of complex renovation projects in historic settings including the grade 2* listed Roundhouse Theatre in Camden Town and listed buildings in Mayfair and Bloomsbury in London. We understand heritage projects are about a deep understanding of conservation principles, historic and cultural interpretation, recalling lost memories and bringing the stories of the past to life.

We take a forensic approach to conservation looking at every detail of the building was made and how its setting has changed over time. This helps us understand heritage values, historic development and guides our approach to how we alter and adapt the building to meet modern day requirements.

To achieve this it is necessary to collaborate with planners, urban designers, clients and the community to ensure a successful outcome for projects within a heritage setting. Not only does the listed building need to be carefully repaired but the setting of the building including the design of the public realm, lighting, pathways and landscape and vitally important to the overall success of a project.

Leisure Facilities Including Sports & Hospitality

We developed our expertise in Sport working on the London 2012 Olympic Games as an advisor to the Olympic Delivery Authority.

We have built a new boating pavilion in Hyde Park and recently completed the renovation of Leiths School of Food and Wine in West London.

Read more about our story and our vision here.

Boating pavilion project at Hyde Park

We Can Help You Obtain Planning Permission In The City Of Portsmouth

You will need advice on how to manage a design and construction project.
You will need advice on what team will be required, and how much your project will cost.
Planning permission costs time and money, and requires an experienced team to prevent delays and costly mistakes.
For planning to be successful, consultation with the local authority of Portsmouth City Council is essential.
We work closely with our Heritage consultants and with the Conservation Officer at the council to make sure everyone is happy with the changes we are proposing.
You may not be clear on how to get your project built, and which contract and builder you should use.
We will help you understand and mitigate the risks of construction. We know you want a smooth stress-free process, not anxiety and constantly rising costs.
To overcome these problems, we have developed the following principles.

Our Principles:

SPECS design method

Simplicity: We refine the design many times so that the solution is both elegant and functional.

Precision: Our design drawings are precise and accurate which means no delays

Efficiency: Your project is well organised with exemplary project management.

Collaboration: You will be part of our team. A successful project only happens with a great team who work together.

Sustainability: We aim to reduce your energy bills through cleaver design and better insulation of your home or building.

If you would like to know more about these principles please download my book: The Total Environment Masterplan. This book was shortlisted for business book of the year in 2024.

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sustainable-architecture-book

‎Costs of Building in Portsmouth in 2024

You should allow a minimum of £3200 per m2 plus vat for all renovation work.

As a word of caution your project could cost substantially more depending on the extent of the work and the type of finishes (tiles, flooring etc) that you choose.

Graham Ford

Graham Ford

To find out more about our team please click here.

Our Fees & Next Steps

1
If you wish to discuss your project with us we will go through your brief during our initial phone call.
2
We will then put a fee quote together and discuss it with you over the phone.
3
We will then send you a letter confirming all our costs.

Discuss your next project with us

Are you looking for an experienced, trustworthy and certified architect based in Portsmouth? Whatever your project, don’t hesitate to reach out to Graham Ford and his team to arrange an informal, confidential chat.

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