RIBA Chartered Practice · St Albans, Hertfordshire

Houses shaped by the place they stand in.

Paradigm is a design-led practice run by two ARB-registered architects, with structural engineers as part of the team. We design new-build houses, substantial remodels and residential developments, alongside selected commercial and industrial buildings, and we take the work from the first sketch through planning to the detail on site. On selected projects we also build it, as main contractor.

Bankhead, exterior render
Bankhead Five-bedroom house · 0.8-acre plot
RIBA Chartered Practice
ARB Registered architects
Principal Designer CDM 2015 and Building Regulations
Main contractor Selected residential projects
Studio BRE Innovation Park, Hertfordshire
Selected work

Each project is drawn for its own site.

All projects
Sandridgebury, timber houses with roof gardens
01

Sandridgebury

Two three-bedroom houses in timber SIP construction. Each has a roof garden planted with sedums, herbs and grasses, and irrigated with collected rainwater and recycled greywater.

Houses Outline planning application
Sheepcot Lane, street view render

A residential scheme of two storeys plus attic, composed to sit with its neighbours and to ease the step from the street into a quieter site.

Housing Outline planning application
South View Lodge, exterior render

A careful extension on a 1.2-acre Green Belt site.

Houses Green Belt · Conservation area
Beyond houses
Linden House, garden render

Nine flats in the grounds of a 1.25-acre plot, with planning approval won at appeal.

Housing · Planning approved
05

Banbury production building

A new double-height production building with offices above, and the existing unit converted to warehouse racking. Heated and cooled by air source heat pumps.

Industrial · Oxfordshire · In progress
Beaufort Park spa, interior render

The interior of a wellness spa in Barnet, planned around a central juice bar with gym, clinic, sauna and plunge pools opening off it.

Commercial interior · North London
Approach

Design comes first, and it is never rushed.

Place first

Orientation, daylight, neighbours and the character of the street come before form. Each design starts from what its site asks for.

Drawn until it is right

Design refinement is part of the service. We do not charge for additional rounds of design development.

Built to use less

Sustainable practice runs through the work, from timber SIP construction to rainwater and greywater reuse.

One team, sketch to site

Architecture, structural engineering, planning, technical drawings and interiors are handled within one team. Your structure is designed by engineers who sit alongside the architect who drew the scheme, so it is worked out with the design rather than bolted on after it. One appointment, one set of drawings, one point of contact.

How a project runs
Who we work with

Private clients

New houses, whole-house remodels and extensions with ambition, designed and engineered by one team. If you would rather have one firm responsible from drawing to handover, ask about Paradigm as main contractor. Start with a free 30-minute call with one of our Hertfordshire-based architects.

Working with us

Developers and landowners

Sketch layouts, development appraisals and planning for residential schemes. Start with a free one-hour meeting, online or in person.

Working with us

Businesses

Production and warehouse buildings, change of use, and commercial interiors, designed with the same care as a house.

Working with us
Practice

Run by two architects.

Paradigm was founded by chartered architect Nik Vyas and grew out of Yellow Studio. The practice is a RIBA Chartered Practice, and both directors are registered with the Architects Registration Board.

About the practice
Nik Vyas Nik Vyas Partner · Architect · MArch RIBA ARB
Amabelle Aranas Amabelle Aranas Partner · Architect · ARB

Tell us about your house, or your site.

A first call is free and takes 30 minutes. If you would rather meet at the property, a home visit is £200 + VAT, deducted from your fee if you go ahead.