Heritage Construction

Bring synchronised building and architectural design to your heritage construction project.

25% cash back on architectural design fees upon project completion. Offer valid until April 2025. Projects $1-5mUS.

A better way

The traditional approach to architectural design and construction is broken (has always been), disjointed, fraught with risk and often suffers from a self centred approach to collaboration. Designs are so often misguided and exceed budget with the design team getting overly excited and not sufficiently resourced to self check designs against budgets, programs get carried away, communication processes lack refinement and when issues arise, each party begins pointing fingers at each other leading to conflict, stress and often project failure. The main issue being lack of effective risk sharing and collaboration with a real lack of a client first approach with the right team at the table from day 1. The process must include both designers and builders from the start and needs to change.

synBA, with its name born from Synchronised Building and Architecture provides an overreaching project management process for luxury design and build and services. With synBA acting as your professional agents, the right design and build team is established for the needs of your project at inception and delivers budget, quality and program control combined with prompt, clear and professional communication throughout. We act for you, carrying out all negotiations and ensure team collaboration delivering your project as effortlessly as possible whether the project is just down the road, or on the other side of the planet. We can also engage with your own agents and teams where your time is limited and can help support escrow payment services to ensure cross border payment risk is mitigated for all parties.

Our team can help source the right architectural designers for your project needs, or you can introduce your preferred team to us. We create detailed project tasks (bills of quantities) and build programs hand in hand with the design work and engage with professional suppliers to regularly check with live pricing and time required to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget. This process delivers projects that from outset remain on budget, provides efficiency sourcing and appointing suppliers and specialists as designs progress and establishes a support base of professional suppliers ready to commence at design completion. Our process also strips out the need for an additional main contractor with our own service replacing this requirement saving on significant additional management costs leaving more of your budget available to spend on your project.

Meet your project manager

The first step is to be introduced to your agent and project management team who will take you from understanding your project requirements, through to handing over the finished building.

Appoint your professional team

Where required we work with you to appoint the additional required support team such as structural engineers, civil engineers, surveyors, party wall surveyors, planning consultants, CDM consultants and quantity surveyors. All requirements and needs are discussed and negotiated by our team for you.

Program and cost management

We work with the site team to develop and maintain a project and cost program and ensure frequent reporting is provided to review progress. We oversea project payments ensuring work is paid for in a timely manner for professionally completed work to ensure we maintain excellent working relationships with the site teams.

Budget and time expectations

Together we will discuss your budget, ambitions and and time requirements, and we will guide you to ensure these are realistic, or adjust them with you ahead of progressing to professional appointments. It is important to ensure clear objectives are created from outset and these are achievable in the current environment.

Appoint your architectural designer

The first step is to match the best architectural designer to your project needs or to be introduced to your selected designers. Different practices offer different skill sets and design specialities. Our professional project management team reviews your needs and match you with one or more practices to help work towards the require appointments.

Develop cost plan

As the design progresses, we develop a project bill of quantities and build program to best ensure the design development remains inline with your budget and time requirements whilst working with a range of suppliers with live quotes and pricing so the build stage can commence as quickly and efficient as possible.

Health and safety

We work with the site team and CDM consultants to ensure the health and safety of the site team and those around them are best protected.

Construct

We establish build contracts, insurance, arrange protected payment processes, appoint the site management team, establish welfare requirements and instruct all the specialist sub contractor teams to carry out the work, at the quotes provided during the design development process.

Completion and handover

Once works are completed, we ensure a thorough review is conducted of all works and quality control carried out. This process is a collaboration between you/your agents, the design team, your project manager and the site team. We ensure as built drawings are filed along with all the operation and management requirements to support the future maintenance of the building. Once completed and safe to hand over, possession of the property is handed back to you.

“We literally couldn’t have done this project without synBA. Starting with helping us find ways to stay within budget, the project management and site team were just brilliant. We were on time, at the cost we agreed and we’ve got exactly what we wanted. It tells you everything that we never had a disagreement throughout the whole build and we’re delighted with the result.”

– Mr T Williams

“The synBA team took on work for our UK property doing a modern contemporary conversion including the development of a gym and wine cellar. The works included a luxury kitchen renovation with marble flooring, designed and installed 4 new bathrooms and refurbished the entire existing property. The work was done to an outstandingly high level. The team were professional, hard working and easy to work with. I would thoroughly recommend synBA for the overall management of any renovation work. Thank you.”

– Dr Halder

Process to carry out luxury heritage construction

Delivering a perfectly collaborative and exceptionally managed architectural construction project for a heritage luxury property requires a careful balance of respect for historical significance and the integration of modern luxury. Here are the key steps to ensure a successful project:

1. Initial Client Consultation

  • Understand Client Aspirations: Begin with comprehensive discussions to grasp the client’s vision, priorities, and specific desires related to the heritage property.

  • Establish Clear Objectives: Define project goals, budget, and timelines while emphasizing the importance of preserving the property’s heritage.

2. Conduct a Heritage Assessment

  • Evaluate Historical Significance: Engage heritage consultants to assess the property's historical and architectural value, identifying key features that must be preserved.

  • Research Regulations: Understand local preservation laws and regulations that govern renovations or alterations to heritage properties.

3. Assemble a Specialized Team

  • Select Experienced Professionals: Build a team of architects, historians, engineers, and contractors with expertise in heritage conservation and luxury construction.

  • Define Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly outline each team member’s responsibilities to ensure accountability and effective collaboration.

4. Develop a Comprehensive Project Plan

  • Create a Detailed Project Brief: Document project scope, objectives, timelines, and budget, including specific heritage and luxury features.

  • Identify Key Milestones: Establish critical phases in the project, such as design approvals, permits, and construction phases, to guide progress.

5. Collaborative Design Process

  • Engage in Design Workshops: Host workshops with the client and stakeholders to brainstorm and refine design concepts that honor the property’s heritage while incorporating modern luxury elements.

  • Incorporate Sustainable Practices: Integrate eco-friendly materials and techniques that align with both heritage preservation and luxury living.

6. Regulatory Compliance and Permitting

  • Research Local Regulations: Ensure compliance with heritage preservation laws and local building codes to avoid delays and penalties.

  • Engage with Authorities Early: Establish relationships with local heritage authorities to facilitate a smooth permitting process and address any concerns proactively.

7. Effective Communication Strategy

  • Regular Updates and Meetings: Schedule frequent meetings and updates to keep all stakeholders informed about progress, challenges, and changes.

  • Use Project Management Tools: Implement software to manage schedules, documentation, and communications efficiently, enhancing collaboration.

8. Construction Phase Management

  • On-Site Supervision: Maintain active oversight during construction to ensure that all work adheres to design specifications and preservation standards.

  • Conduct Regular Inspections: Schedule inspections at key milestones to verify compliance with quality benchmarks, historical preservation guidelines, and project goals.

9. Stakeholder Engagement

  • Foster Open Communication: Encourage feedback from all stakeholders, including the client, design team, and contractors, to promote collaboration and innovation.

  • Proactively Address Conflicts: Resolve disputes quickly and constructively to maintain a positive project environment and keep the timeline on track.

10. Final Inspection and Handover

  • Organize a Comprehensive Walkthrough: Conduct a final inspection with the client and relevant stakeholders to address any last-minute adjustments and ensure satisfaction.

  • Provide Detailed Documentation: Deliver all necessary documentation, including warranties, maintenance guides, and information about the heritage features preserved or restored.

11. Post-Completion Support

  • Solicit Client Feedback: Gather insights from the client regarding their experience to identify strengths and areas for improvement in future projects.

  • Offer Ongoing Maintenance Assistance: Provide support for the maintenance of heritage features, ensuring the property remains in excellent condition and retains its historical significance.

Meet a few architectural design practices


AIRC. Design LTD - International

We are a diverse group of architects, BIM coordinators, BIM managers, certified passive house designers, coders, civil engineers, designers, parametric architects who are passionate about design and digitalisation.

We bring the concept of multi-consultancy to the next level by integrating all design disciplines within one authoring tool. Our work is based on ISO19650 OpenBIM workflows to deliver BIM Level 3 services worldwide.


Design Storey LTD - Oxford

Design Storey was founded 10 years ago with a vision to create well-crafted & contextual designs. We bring a holistic approach to our projects where the disciplines of architecture, interior design and landscape design are brought together under one roof, to tell a complete design story. Based in Oxford, our designs are inspired by experiences working in both London and Vancouver, as well as the beautiful surroundings of the Cotswolds. The studio works on a range of projects throughout Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire from creative transformations of historic and listed buildings to contemporary new build one-off houses.

Our award-winning RIBA Chartered Practice aims to alleviate the stress of new builds, extensions and alterations in any kind of home or residential development. We have an excellent track record for obtaining planning permissions on behalf of our clients and a trusted team of external consultants to help with structural advice, listed buildings, planning legislation clarification and sustainability input.

In a recent article, Charlotte Vowden of The Sunday Times, suggested that Allister Godfrey Architects is ‘Best for Modernism’, when it comes to new build homes.

Good client relationships are central to both the philosophy and success of the practice. We wholeheartedly believe that design is a reciprocal process between client and architect, so we listen carefully to our clients to help shape and create the spaces they would like to live in. Much of our work is gained by word of mouth and the patronage of a number of valued clients.

We have intentionally remained small in order to concentrate on what we do best; transforming ideas and aspirations into delightful buildings. We take a holistic approach to each project and, with sustainability in mind, consider all aspects of the site, brief and budget to create dwellings that exceed expectations.

We love what we do; whether it is a modest living extension to an urban or country home or a sensitive and exciting re-working of a listed building. Contemporary family homes or multiple unit developments are approached with the same care and commitment, regardless of size.


Our Mission:

‘’Architecture aims at eternity’’ – Sir Christopher Wren

We are architects with a deep interest in heritage, and in the creative opportunities of restoration to give historic buildings life and meaning for future generations. Our designs evolve from an understanding of our shared heritage; our approach is rooted in research, experience and care, and we respond to the unique qualities of each place.

We want to improve the lives of those that live with, work in or visit our buildings, and we aim to ensure a project’s long-term economic and environmental sustainability. In this way, we enjoy the art, craft and science of architecture – in the service of quality, people and nature.

We have a diverse portfolio of projects across Europe and Asia, from small private commissions to public buildings and urban planning proposals.

There are two primary strands to the practice: the first is historic conservation architecture applying skills in intelligent conservation and sensitive building design to projects, and the second is grand architecture concerned with cultural and commercial commissions.

We enjoy working on challenging projects of all scales, including many historic listed buildings. We pride ourselves on a high degree of attention to detail and a flair for innovative and modern design.

Adrian James Architects - Oxford

Gresford Architects - Oxford

We tackle all sorts of building types and sizes, unique one-off homes, uplifting education spaces, commercial projects with design flair, luxury flats and cost-effective student accommodation:  we come to each one with a genuinely creative approach. We are one of very few practices to have satisfied the planning policy permitting only ‘truly exceptional’ country houses.


ABHR Architects - London

Gresford Architects seek to create buildings that are thoughtful, practical, sustainable and beautiful. We are experts in Passivhaus design and sustainable building and believe that buildings should be comfortable, designed to last and to use energy and materials as efficiently as possible.

Gresford Architects take pride in building creative and long lasting, collaborative relationships with our clients and contractors. We believe that taking a hands on approach and engaging with those involved in a project is crucial to a successful outcome, and makes for a more rewarding and meaningful experience along the way.

Our portfolio ranges from large renovations and extensions to private residential new buildings to large commercial refurbishments. We enjoy working with new and existing buildings, and have extensive experience of working with listed properties. All projects are characterised by a keen sense of craftsmanship and an enthusiasm for exploring surfaces, joints, textures and light. Conscious that our approach to the built environment has a fundamental impact on our cultural heritage, Gresford Architects endeavour to achieve the perfect marriage of the poetic and the practical



Alistair Godfrey Architects - Oxford

Chris Dyson Architects - London

Every project is unique. We always look for something inspiring from the outset to create a beautiful, stand-alone design. We specialise in high quality architecture and have developed our approach to ensure that each design reflects the individual client and context of each project.


We enjoy producing original solutions and take a visual approach to explaining our designs to clients by using the latest in computer visualisations to convey our ideas. We are experts at extracting the best out of each project and many of our projects have been delivered in constrained urban sites. Our homes are carefully planned and intricately detailed.


ABHRA was founded in 2015 by Alex Bilton and Helen Reid, ABHRA brings together combined expertise of the partners from 20 years’ experience of delivering award-winning projects across London and the south east. We are a RIBA Chartered Practice.


Synchronising architectural design and building for a smoother journey.

Headquartered in Queensland (Australia) with international offices in Oxford and London (UK) and a digitally supported remote working project management model, synBA support reaches luxury clients across the globe. Our firm specializes in all construction project management requirements, providing support and guidance from the seed of an idea to the final product.

Whether you’re a home owner, business owners or developer we will not only protect your investment, but we’ll also ensure your design and build journey is one that is refined and stress free. We bring extensive experience and professionalism to every project and customize our support to your individual needs and concerns.

Get in Touch

To discuss your project needs and how synBA can support you on your architectural design and build journey, please get in touch and we will organise an introductory meeting.