Business Details
12 Years
experience
Award-Winning Residential Architects in North Shields
Established in 2014, Acre Design has evolved from a bedroom startup to one of the North East's leading residential architectural practices. Our mission is to help families gain extra living space through bespoke home extensions, refurbishments, and loft conversions. With over a decade of experience in building control and 1,000+ completed projects, we combine technical expertise with creative design to deliver stress-free transformations. Our unique Needs and Options Review process provides clients with multiple design options and cost estimates before committing to full design services. We manage projects from concept to completion, including planning permissions, technical drawings, contractor coordination, and on-site support. Our team's hands-on experience in construction problem-solving ensures accurate, buildable designs that prevent costly delays.Operating from Royal Quays, we serve Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside with a structured process focused on transparency, quality, and client satisfaction. Our architectural expertise extends to heritage home modernisations, conservation area developments, and self-build projects, all supported by 3D visualisations and explainer videos. We differentiate ourselves through comprehensive tender administration, fixed pricing, and ongoing construction management to protect client investments. With six families assisted monthly, we maintain rigorous project timelines and regular client updates through standardised operating procedures.
Services
Home Extensions
Loft Conversions
Refurbishments
Planning Permissions
Technical Drawings
Contractor Coordination
Conservation Area Projects
Self-Build Homes
3D Visualisations
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We offer 10 years' experience in building control and residential architecture
- Our team manages projects from concept to completion with fixed pricing
- We provide 3D visualisations and explainer videos for design clarity
- We have completed over 1,000 projects in the North East region
- Our process includes contractor tender management and on-site support
What people say
Fantastic experience
Exceptional service
Innovative designs
Professional team
Transparent process
Services
Home Extensions
We design light-filled, functional extensions that enhance family living spaces. Our architectural team creates bespoke solutions for modern open-plan layouts while ensuring compliance with local planning regulations. With 1,000+ completed projects, we manage every stage from initial concept to final construction oversight.
Loft Conversions
Our specialist loft conversion service maximises unused vertical space for additional bedrooms or living areas. We provide detailed 3D visualisations and handle all planning requirements. The process includes structural assessments, technical drawings, and contractor management to ensure quality execution.
Refurbishments
We deliver comprehensive refurbishment projects that modernise existing properties while preserving architectural character. Services include internal reconfigurations, heritage adaptations, and energy efficiency upgrades. Our process maintains strict budget controls and timeline management throughout the transformation.
Planning Permissions
Our planning experts handle full submission processes for residential developments. This includes preparing detailed architectural drawings, liaising with local authorities, and addressing technical requirements. We specialise in conservation area projects and complex planning applications with a high success rate.
Project Management
We provide end-to-end project management from design phase to completion. Services include contractor tendering, budget tracking, quality control, and on-site supervision. Our building control background ensures technical accuracy and prevents costly construction errors during implementation.
People
Alistair Crerar
Founder & Architectural Designer
With 10 years' experience in building control and residential architecture, Alistair founded Acre Design in 2014. He specialises in creating practical, buildable designs while managing projects from concept to completion. His technical expertise ensures construction challenges are resolved at the design stage.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialise in?
We focus exclusively on residential projects including home extensions, loft conversions, refurbishments, and new build homes across the North East region.
How does your design process work?
Our structured process includes initial consultation, needs assessment, concept design with 3D visuals, planning submissions, contractor tendering, and construction management to ensure project success.
Can you help with planning permission applications?
Yes, we handle complete planning submissions including architectural drawings, regulatory compliance documentation, and local authority liaison for both standard and conservation area developments.
Do you provide construction cost estimates?
We offer detailed cost estimates during the Needs and Options Review stage, providing multiple design options with associated build costs before committing to full design services.
What areas do you cover?
We operate across Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, and surrounding areas of the North East region.
How are projects managed during construction?
Our team provides ongoing construction oversight, including contractor coordination, quality control checks, and budget management to ensure timely completion to the highest standards.
