You are ready to make a start on your own home design and you're seeking the right architect to design it and help make it happen.
Not a cheap chap who will give you a bog standard cut-and-paste design, and who won't listen carefully to what you want and need.
You want a skilled experienced designer who understands you and will put your needs and dreams first.
This is it. You've come to the right place.
Not a cheap chap who will give you a bog standard cut-and-paste design, and who won't listen carefully to what you want and need.
You want a skilled experienced designer who understands you and will put your needs and dreams first.
This is it. You've come to the right place.
"We interviewed a number of architects and builders to find the right solution for our house extension. Jane was the only one who proposed a different approach to the first floor layout, offering light, space and architectural design elements. The design offers practicality and style and has accommodated all our requirements. Jane is very accommodating and flexible when a change is required. Her problem solving abilities more than justify the costs of employing an architect, particularly if you are looking for something more extraordinary than "design and build" has to offer. She is a great listener and communicator."
Siobhan Duncan, Manchester
Hello! I'm Jane
I'm award winning, chartered architect, Jane Leach and I'm passionate about helping eco-conscious homeowners of period property, and homes in conservation areas, to create comfortable characterful homes that suit their unique modern lifestyle and protect the planet.
I design house extensions, conversions and reconfigurations that turn tired and outdated property into spacious and beautiful homes, that are easy and enjoyable to live in. I help you to create a clear vision of what you want and confidently make decisions that will take your ideal home from dreams to reality. By your side guiding you through each step of your project starting with your Big Picture Plan. I collaboratively redesign your home for you, listening carefully to you and keeping you involved in every decision so that the designs truly reflect what you want and need. |
Since founding this practice at the beginning of 2009, I've redesigned well over a hundred homes, helping homeowners to improve their homes throughout the UK, from Devon to Cumbria, with my unique remote design approach.
Before setting up my own practice I was a senior architect in the education team of the 4th largest architectural company in the world delivering £28 to £36 million pound projects. I've designed restaurant and shop fit-outs as well as many private and social housing projects both in the UK, Barcelona and Milan. I've also designed housing for the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
I'm a Green Register listed eco-refurbisher and an RIBA conservation register accredited registrant. This means that I know how to make colder older properties more comfortable to live in while being sensitive to their original beauty and character.
How to work with me:
Book a free Coffee Chat:
Start your home redesign with the Big Picture Plan:
Book a Consulting Call to progress your project:
My Backstory
I grew up in an 8-bed Victorian Villa in a conservation area. While it was huge and beautiful and full of potential, it was also freezing cold in winter. So cold that the condensation on the inside of my bedroom windows would freeze overnight. Although frozen condensation is incredibly beautiful, living in a freezing cold home is extremely uncomfortable.
My experience growing up in our family home has been my inspiration to help other homeowners of period homes to realise their potential and make them both comfortable as well as characterful.
My parents still live in their Victorian Villa and they eventually allowed me to help them with some careful home improvements and refurbishments. By replacing their leaking and uninsulated roof with a new highly insulated slate roof, with reinstated Victorian gothic features, along with some photovoltaics and replacement rooflights, I helped them make their home both dry and warm. The reduction in drafts was tangible and now when I visit I miss the eery beauty of the frozen condensation.
I believe that it is our responsibility to live lightly on the planet and that this can be done without compromising comfort, beauty and the level of joy that our homes can give us.
My experience growing up in our family home has been my inspiration to help other homeowners of period homes to realise their potential and make them both comfortable as well as characterful.
My parents still live in their Victorian Villa and they eventually allowed me to help them with some careful home improvements and refurbishments. By replacing their leaking and uninsulated roof with a new highly insulated slate roof, with reinstated Victorian gothic features, along with some photovoltaics and replacement rooflights, I helped them make their home both dry and warm. The reduction in drafts was tangible and now when I visit I miss the eery beauty of the frozen condensation.
I believe that it is our responsibility to live lightly on the planet and that this can be done without compromising comfort, beauty and the level of joy that our homes can give us.
Awards / Featured
Best of Houzz Service Awards 2021
Best of Houzz Service Awards 2020
Best of Houzz Service Awards 2019
EVA Finalist 2018
Build Magazine 2018
Best of Houzz Service Awards 2018
Small Business Sunday Winner
Build Magazine 2017
Best of Houzz Design Awards 2017
Ideal Home, Dream Home Edition August 2016
Best of Houzz Service Awards 2020
Best of Houzz Service Awards 2019
EVA Finalist 2018
Build Magazine 2018
Best of Houzz Service Awards 2018
Small Business Sunday Winner
Build Magazine 2017
Best of Houzz Design Awards 2017
Ideal Home, Dream Home Edition August 2016
A Few Testimonials
"i-architect provided me with a Home Consultation and Feasibility Study. Their service was excellent, and I was particularly impressed with my architect’s professional approach and enthusiasm for the project.’"
Helen Nicolson, Homeowner, South Manchester
“Jane always strives to gain the best design solution and her knowledge helps maintain the delicate balance between good design, buildability and cost. She is personable, hardworking and driven and I would be more than happy to work with Jane in the future.”
Project Manager, Balfour Beatty
“Jane proved to be an exceptionally committed and hardworking member of my team, who always met the tight deadlines set for her. As an Architect, Jane was well organised and thorough and approached every problem with creativity and enthusiasm.”
Gareth Banks, Regional Director Aedas
"Was lovely to meet you last week and you have certainly given us plenty to think about. Thank you for your help, it has been invaluable."
Private Homeowner, Kettleshulme
Helen Nicolson, Homeowner, South Manchester
“Jane always strives to gain the best design solution and her knowledge helps maintain the delicate balance between good design, buildability and cost. She is personable, hardworking and driven and I would be more than happy to work with Jane in the future.”
Project Manager, Balfour Beatty
“Jane proved to be an exceptionally committed and hardworking member of my team, who always met the tight deadlines set for her. As an Architect, Jane was well organised and thorough and approached every problem with creativity and enthusiasm.”
Gareth Banks, Regional Director Aedas
"Was lovely to meet you last week and you have certainly given us plenty to think about. Thank you for your help, it has been invaluable."
Private Homeowner, Kettleshulme