Architectural Feasibility Studies & Concept Design

Before investing time, money and energy into a project, it’s important to understand what’s realistically possible. Our architectural Feasibility Studies help you explore your options, identify any potential challenges early on and give you a clear starting point for your project. At ReFrame Studio, we work with homeowners to provide clarity and confidence before moving forward.

We also offer Concept Design as the next step, turning those early ideas into something you can see and understand. This stage looks at different layout options, how spaces might feel and function, and how your home could be transformed. It’s a chance to explore ideas together, refine what you like and make sure everything feels right before moving into more detailed design.

We regularly support homeowners with extensions, new homes and small developments, including projects in more sensitive settings such as conservation areas or tight urban sites. These early stages are all about helping you feel informed and confident - so you can move forward knowing you’re making the right decisions for your home.

What Is an Architectural Feasibility Study?

An architectural feasibility study is an early-stage assessment that explores whether a project is viable from a planning, design and practical point of view. It is typically used before purchasing a site, before submitting a planning application, or when multiple development options are being considered.

The purpose of a feasibility study is to reduce uncertainty. By testing ideas early and assessing constraints upfront, it helps identify potential issues before they become expensive problems. It also provides a clear basis for deciding whether to proceed, refine the brief or explore alternative options.

What Can a Feasibility Study Tell You?

A feasibility study can provide insight into:

  • What can realistically be built on a site
    Including the type of development, approximate size and overall potential.

  • Planning constraints and policy considerations
    Such as local planning policy, conservation area controls or heritage constraints.

  • Site opportunities and limitations
    Including access, orientation, neighbouring properties and physical constraints.

  • Likely scale, layout and massing
    Helping visualise how a proposal might sit within its context.

  • Early budget and viability insights
    Providing a high-level understanding of cost implications and value.

  • Risks and potential planning challenges
    Flagging issues early so they can be managed or mitigated.

Our Feasibility Study Process

What is architectural Concept Design?

What can you learn from the Concept Design stage?

Our Concept Design process

Our feasibility studies follow a clear and structured process designed to provide meaningful answers, not just drawings.

  • Site and context review
    Understanding the site, surroundings and key constraints.

  • Planning and policy assessment
    Reviewing relevant planning policy and local authority guidance.

  • Design options and massing studies
    Exploring different approaches and development scenarios.

  • High-level cost and risk considerations
    Highlighting likely construction costs, complexity and key risks.

  • Clear conclusions and recommendations
    Setting out next steps and advising on the most appropriate route forward.

Architectural Concept Design is the early stage where your ideas for a project start to take shape visually and spatially.

It’s about exploring different ways your home could look, feel and function before any detailed plans are drawn. An architect will test layout options, consider how spaces connect, look at light, scale and flow, and begin shaping the overall character of the design.

At this stage, nothing is fixed - it’s a creative and flexible process that helps you:

  • Understand what’s possible for your home

  • See your ideas translated into basic sketches or simple drawings

  • Explore different options before committing

  • Make confident decisions about the direction of the project

In short, concept design turns your brief and ideas into a clear vision, giving you something tangible to react to before moving into detailed design and planning.

A feasibility study can tell you:

  • What you can build – whether your ideas are likely to be approved, based on planning rules and site constraints

  • How much space you could create – potential layouts, sizes and development options

  • Planning risks - issues such as conservation areas, overlooking, access, or local policies that could affect approval

  • Site challenges – things like difficult access, neighbouring buildings, levels, or structural considerations

  • Budget alignment – whether your ambitions are realistic for your likely budget

  • Alternative options – different ways to approach the project that you may not have considered

In simple terms, it helps to answer the question: “Is this project worth pursuing, and what’s the best way to approach it?”

At concept design stage, we work closely with you to explore how your home could be transformed. We begin by understanding how you live, what isn’t working and what you want to achieve.

We then develop a series of initial ideas, testing different basic layouts and approaches to see what works best for your space. These are shared through simple drawings and sketches.

We refine the design based on your feedback, developing a preferred direction that balances your priorities, the site and your budget.

By the end of this stage, you’ll have a clear and confident vision for your project, ready to move forward into the next steps.

Why Choose ReFrame Studio

At ReFrame Studio, we use feasibility studies as a strategic tool, not a box-ticking exercise. Our experience across residential projects, self-build homes and constrained urban sites allows us to balance design ambition with practical and planning realities.

Clients value our clear communication, honest advice and ability to explain complex issues in a straightforward way. By identifying opportunities and constraints early, we help clients make informed decisions, reduce risk and move forward with confidence — whether that means progressing to planning or rethinking the brief before further investment.

Architectural Feasibility Studies & Concept Design FAQs

  • Feasibility studies are ideal for homeowners, self-builders, landowners and small-scale developers who want to understand what is possible before committing to a project. They are particularly useful where there are planning constraints, uncertain site conditions or multiple development options to consider.

  • You may not need a feasibility study for every project, but it is highly recommended if you are unsure about planning constraints, budget viability or what can realistically be achieved on a site. A feasibility study can help avoid costly mistakes later on.

  • The best time is at the very beginning of a project — before purchasing a property or site, before appointing consultants, or before submitting a planning application. Early advice helps reduce risk and informs better decisions.

  • A feasibility study typically includes a review of the site and context, an assessment of relevant planning policies, early design options or massing studies, and high-level considerations around cost, risk and viability.

  • Most feasibility studies take between two and four weeks, depending on the complexity of the site and the level of analysis required.

  • Yes. Feasibility studies are often commissioned before purchase to help clients understand development potential, planning risks and whether a site supports their objectives.

  • Yes. Feasibility studies usually include sketch drawings, diagrams or massing studies to help visualise what could be possible on the site. These are conceptual rather than detailed design drawings.

  • Following the feasibility study, we provide clear recommendations on next steps. This may include progressing to a planning application, refining the brief, or exploring alternative options based on the findings.

  • Absolutely. Feasibility studies are commonly used for extensions, loft conversions and refurbishments, particularly where planning constraints or budget considerations need to be carefully assessed.

  • The cost varies depending on the site, scope and level of detail required. At ReFrame Studio, we provide a clear, fixed-fee proposal upfront so you know exactly what’s included before we begin.

  • This varies project to project and we will discuss the outcome at the quoting stage. Typically you will receive basic layouts and often some basic 3D views to help you visualise the design.

  • At Concept Design we usually explore a small number of different options at the start, allowing you to compare approaches and decide what works best before refining a preferred design. Typically this ranges between 2 and 4.

  • Yes - concept design is a flexible stage. It’s the best time to explore ideas and make changes before moving into more detailed and fixed design work. Factors such as planning policy, budget and an evolving level or detail will inform the transformation through the next stage.

  • Yes, concept design is an important step before planning. It ensures the design is well thought through and gives you confidence before submitting an application that the design fits your requirements.