Best Residential Architectural Design Practice 2026 – Essex
Invent Architecture & Design was named Best Residential Architectural Design Practice 2026 – Essex in the BUILD Architecture Awards 2026.
For our clients, this recognition is about more than a title. It reflects the consistent standard of service, design thinking and project care we bring to residential work across extensions, conversions, renovations and new homes.
We believe good architecture should do more than look impressive on paper. It should make everyday life work better – improving layout, light, flow and the long-term enjoyment of your home.
This award sits alongside the feedback we receive from our clients, whose reviews regularly highlight clear communication, thoughtful design and a smooth, well-managed process from first ideas through to completed drawings.
What This Award Means
Being recognised as the Best Residential Architectural Design Practice 2026 – Essex at the BUILD Architecture Awards is independent confirmation of how we approach residential design.
For homeowners and developers planning projects such as home extensions, loft conversions, garage conversions, renovations and new build homes, it demonstrates our commitment to:
Designing residential spaces that are thoughtful, well‑proportioned and tailored to the way you live.
Clear, responsive communication throughout the design and approvals process.
Practical, buildable solutions that work on site – not just on paper.
Careful attention to planning, building regulations and technical detail.
Helping you unlock the full potential of your plot or existing home.
Every project is different, so we start by listening carefully to what you want from your home – more space, better light, improved flow or added value – and then translate those aims into designs that are beautiful, functional and realistic to build in the context of your property and budget.
What Our Clients Say
Awards are one form of recognition, but the experience of working together matters just as much. The feedback we receive from homeowners highlights the same qualities we aim to bring to every project – clear communication, thoughtful design and a smooth, well-managed process from first ideas through to completed drawings.
LABC Excellence Awards 2020 – Regional Finalist
Invent Architecture & Design was recognised as a Regional Finalist in the LABC Excellence Awards 2020 – East Anglia Region for Best Partnership with a Local Authority Building Control Team, adding to the wider recognition our residential work and project delivery have received over the years.
For our clients, this recognition reflects the same qualities we aim to bring to every project – thoughtful design, practical problem‑solving and careful attention to how homes are used in everyday life, as well as how they are built.
We believe good architecture should do more than look impressive on paper. It should make everyday life work better – improving layout, light, flow and the long‑term enjoyment of your home.
Alongside our recent award win, the 2019 finalist position and the feedback we receive from our clients, this 2020 recognition helps show a consistent approach to residential design – one built on clear communication, thoughtful ideas and well‑considered outcomes.
What This Award Means
Being recognised as a Regional Finalist in the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2020 – East Anglia Region for Best Partnership with a Local Authority Building Control Team was an important milestone for us. It highlights how we work with Colchester Borough Council’s Building Control team to keep projects coordinated, compliant and moving forward.
This recognition was awarded to us for our dedication to building excellence, in particular the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship. In everyday terms, that means:
Preparing clear, detailed drawings and information so Building Control can review and approve projects efficiently.
Working closely with builders and inspectors to resolve technical details on site and maintain quality.
Treating compliance, safety and construction standards as core parts of the design process, not an afterthought.
For our clients, this award matters because it shows that the homes we help to create are supported by careful coordination and a commitment to doing things properly from design through to build. It offers independent reassurance that we are focused not only on how a project looks, but on how well it is delivered and how smoothly it moves through the approvals process.
It also reflects the strength of the relationships behind each project – between designer, client, builder and Building Control – which in turn helps create better results on site and greater confidence for everyone involved.
LABC Excellence Awards 2019 – Regional Finalist
Invent Architecture & Design was recognised as a Regional Finalist in the LABC Excellence Awards 2019, adding to the wider recognition our residential work has received over the years.
For our clients, this recognition reflects the same qualities we aim to bring to every project – thoughtful design, practical problem-solving and careful attention to the way homes are used in everyday life.
We believe good architecture should do more than look impressive on paper. It should make everyday life work better – improving layout, light, flow and the long-term enjoyment of your home.
Alongside our recent award win and the feedback we receive from our clients, this earlier recognition helps show a consistent approach to residential design – one built on clear communication, thoughtful ideas and well-considered outcomes.
What This Award Means
Being recognised as a Regional Finalist in the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2019 for Best Partnership with a Local Authority Building Control Team meant a great deal to us. It reflects the strength of our working relationship with Colchester Borough Council’s Building Control team and the way we support them throughout each project.
This recognition was awarded to us for our dedication to building excellence, specifically the delivery of outstanding construction and workmanship. In practice, that means:
Providing clear, accurate drawings and information that help Building Control do their job efficiently.
Working collaboratively with builders and inspectors to resolve technical details on site.
Taking compliance, safety and construction quality seriously – not just the design on paper.
For our clients, this award matters because it shows that the spaces we help to create are backed by careful coordination and a commitment to doing things properly. It is independent reassurance that we don’t just focus on how a project looks, but on how well it is built and how smoothly it moves through the approvals process.
For us, being recognised in this category was also a reflection of the relationships behind a successful project – not just between designer and client, but between designer, builder and Building Control. That joined-up approach helps create better outcomes on site and gives our clients greater confidence that their project is being handled properly.