Housing & Masterplanning

We aim to deliver through research, rigorously applied analytical and design skills and professional management, robust and deliverable development guidance, proposals and solutions that recognise the fundamental importance of strong architectural and urban design expertise. The aim is to create a sustainable and attractive environment with human scale and strong sense of place.

The design solutions must also, ultimately, represent value for money to our client and we recognise the commercial realities of the development process. Our awareness and understanding of market influences and the expectations of the local authority planning department, developers and occupiers, in both the public and private sectors, deliver an informed approach to the output of our organisation in terms of design and development.

We firmly believe that good design adds value to the development process. Instrumental in this process is the involvement of and consultation with the various stakeholders such as planners, local authorities, development agencies, local organisations, social housing providers, other consultants and the client.

Good masterplanning, urban design and building evolves from engaging local knowledge and the commitment of stakeholders in every stage of the process. Our expertise as designers combined with involvement of the various stakeholders and the vision of the local authority as articulated by the planners and urban designers will ensure a successful, sustainable development.

McBains has a committed team of urban designers and architects and we have a long track record of producing successful briefing documentation, architectural and urban design schemes employing a consensus-led approach through the planning and development process. This approach inevitably leads to an accelerated decision making process, offering a sense of ownership to all involved and breaks down the traditional barriers between the designers and other parties. This has been the basis of our design approach for a number of years and accounts for all of our successful and award winning projects.

"When Bovis Homes Ltd decided to design our new housing range, we didn't hesitate to appoint McBains.....Not only are the designs impactful but they are likely to generate significant cost savings and sales revenue gain".

Daniel Oliver, Technical Director
Bovis Homes Ltd

Housing Today: Planning reforms: a positive message, but the devil will be in the detail