wray-mccann architect limited

I loved working with Hugh. He is extremely knowledgeable on so many fronts, has strong design ideas but will also listen to / incorporate yours, and has high integrity. We employed Hugh to help us renovate a 100 yr old house and his attention to detail meant the builder wasn't continually battling with variances in plan drawings vs site measurements. Hugh's also a very positive person and brings enthusiasm to a project.

Hugh was recommended to us as an architect with particular skill at designing extensions sympathetic to listed buildings. Our new spaces fulfill our requirement for extra light, warmth and connectivity. Hugh's confident interaction with the planning system and long term relationship with a landscape designer, Duncan Rice, also enabled far more imaginative change than we thought would be possible.

We commissioned Wray-McCann Architect Ltd. in early 2015 as we were creating a new build house on a stunning waterside plot in Chichester Harbour. Hugh Wray-McCann took personal ownership of our project from the outset and lived and breathed every detail of the build alongside our Project Manager to create a fantastic home which is complimented by everyone who sees it. Creating one-off, bespoke buildings with high quality finishes can lead to major risks in terms of time and cost but Hugh’s fastidiousness in preparing details and communicating with the contractors ensured that as well as creating a superb design, we delivered on our targets. Three years after completion, the house is a joy to live in. Mr. B from Bosham, Chichester

Hugh is a fantastic architect, not only giving us our dream home, but a home that is the envy of all out friends. He stood out from all the other architects, his insight and vision was truly astounding. He was exactly what we were looking for, being the only professional to tell us what we could have rather than just ask us what we wanted. Our design went through many iterations and Hugh delivered this with total professionalism and never balked at our indecision or changing requirements. His ability to redraw plans on the spot was incredible and demonstrated his wonderful talent and flare for design. Our project involved re modelling the kitchen, utility, cloakroom, entrance hall, stairs, bathroom, landing and bedroom. We can honestly say that Hugh incorporated all our wants and more and now, having lived in the property for several years since completion there is absolutely nothing we would change or have regretted. Not only is the design first rate but he also recommended quality interiors that have made our house look beautiful. I cannot recommend Hugh Wray- McCann architects highly enough.

To say that Hugh is an accomplished architect with inspirational ideas doesn't go far enough. His knowledge of local planning requirements with an attention to detail second to none, ensured that the two projects he dealt with for us were approved by planners and supported by local residents alike. His approachable friendly disposition made working with Hugh a true delight and we highly recommend him. Jethro and Jennifer Marles

I can't say enough wonderful things about Hugh Wray-McCann Architect Ltd. We took on an ambitious project in a coastal town in the UK--ambitious because we not only bought and decided to completely renovate an older home but we did so while living abroad. We bought a bungalow for our aging parents and undertook a complete renovation from afar. From the first discussion of the project, we knew that Hugh was the right choice for us. He not only helped us secure an excellent builder, but he worked us through all the paperwork and regulations--including the inspections for bats (which we weren't aware of). Hugh was a great help in all stages of the process, but most importantly, his design was excellent and is exactly suited to our parents. He has incredible experience and was very thoughtful in putting forward design elements which would make the house more comfortable for our parents. In addition, he listened to our thoughts, was extremely good and timely with communications, and very exacting with his outlining of pricing and services rendered. We loved working with Hugh--and we had a very smooth project from start to finish. We have done many renovations, but not one so extensive and from so far (we live in the US); however, this was probably the best experience we have had and it is largely due to both Hugh and the builders we hired. The house is lovely and our parents are now settled and very happy! We would whole-heartedly recommend Hugh to others.

I have known Hugh Wray-McCann for over 15 years. He has worked on two major projects. Hugh's attention to detail is second to none. He appreciates every aspect of the client's needs and desires which form the basis of his creative design. He has a thorough appreciation of the context of the project, environmentally and historically, and approaches the design with this in mind. Hugh is delightful to work with and if you are committed and serious about your project, he is the architect to choose.

Hugh Wray-McCann has designed our new house. We have been been extremely pleased with his extensive knowledge and expertise of design and building materials. We have been very impressed with his exciting and imaginative designs. He has very professionally dealt with all the Local Planners. We would recommend Hugh to anyone requiring an Architect.

Some twenty years ago, Hugh became our architect for our new build house. It was a conventional ground floor three bedroom and garage with a green oak timber framed upper floor for living, kitchen, mezzanine etc. From the start, it was easy and pleasant to cooperate with Hugh, and he was most helpful in every respect, talking through our ideas and always giving good and useful advice; what he designed has since proved wonderful to live in! Hugh not only assisted us, but liaised with our builders, plumbers and electricians in an exemplary manner. As we were the project managers of the build, Hugh, with his expertise, made the whole project a much better experience.Over the years since the initial build, Hugh has always responded positively, and with his usual good humour, to our requests when we have felt his advice was necessary. We would thoroughly recommend him to anyone contemplating any architectural assistance.

Ours has been a somewhat small scale building project and we regard ourselves as fortunate in securing the services provided by Hugh Wray-McCann as our architect. Hugh is to be credited with the design of our wonderful new kitchen. Living as we do in a grade 2 listed thatch cottage we wanted to enhance through our build project our living experience without losing any of its charm and integral features. This is our third such project over a number of years and the first time we employed an architect. It is no understatement to say that the process of securing planning approval was smooth and ‘stress free’. Indeed, as Hugh’s reputation goes before him our link planning office said without any prompt ‘if Hugh is responsible for the design I know that the application will meet our stringent planning requirements without any cause for concern.’ This was indeed the case and this enabled us to focus on what we wanted to achieve without worrying about the process. Hugh was always contactable and was able to source other specialist services (structural engineer) without delay. Thank you Hugh, the end result is that our project wouldn’t have happened without your input. We heartily recommend Hugh as a highly professional, competent and informed architect.

I own a listed thatched Devon Longhouse which is located in a conservation area where planners are notouriously strict with any planning applications. I decided that I would like a oak framed garden room extension to take advantage of the views and allow more light into the house. as well as a stand alone oak framed garage with integral Linhay and workshop, all of which I wanted to blend in with the surrounding period structures. I had previously applied for a garage which the Planners had turned down. The company I approached to build the oak frame recommended Hugh who at one time was one of their in house architects who they rated highly. I had not been involved in any building projects before so Hugh explained all the various stages and hoops we had to jump through to appease the planning department as well as English Heritage. We had several meetings with planners who appeared to respect Hugh as someone who they could trust to design something in keeping and sypathetic to the character of the original building. As with all bespoke projects we had some small problems but Hugh acted as a intermediary and smoothed these all out with the builder and planning department. The result is something I am extremely pleased with and have recommended Hugh to a number of friends, some whom have said that my extension is the best example they have seen to a period property.

Hugh has completed two projects for us. The first was designing an extension at the rear of our property some 20 years ago. Living in Dartmoor National Park his experience of dealing with such authorities was invaluable. The design was cleverly conceived and as unobtrusive as possible whilst meeting all of our requirements and satisfying the planners. The second project, some 6 years ago involved the design and construction of a green oak frame extension. Again this has blended in perfectly and met with the total approval of the planning authorities. Hugh is a delight to work with and we have no hesitation in recommending him.