Line drawing of a two-story house with large windows and a gabled roof.

Unleash Your Creative Spark at

81 North Design

We help homeowners, investors, and developers turn their project ideas into buildable, compliant, and financially sound designs.

Our work spans residential, rural, commercial, and high-value bespoke projects throughout the UK.

Architectural Design & Development Practice – North East England

81 North Design is an architectural design and development practice based in the North East of England, specialising in residential extensions, barn conversions, commercial change-of-use projects, HMOs, bespoke new-build homes, and small-scale residential developments. We work with homeowners, landowners, and property developers to deliver thoughtful, well-considered architecture that is both practical and commercially sound.

Residential Extensions | HMOs | Barn Conversions | Commercial Conversions | Bespoke New Builds

What sets us apart is our experience on both sides of the property process. As architects and active property developers, we understand design, planning, construction, and viability from start to finish. This developer-led insight allows us to create designs that not only look good on paper, but also perform in the real world, navigating planning policy, buildability, budgets, and end values with clarity and confidence.

Serving the UK: North East, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Manchester & London

Although we are based in the North East, we work across the UK, with completed and ongoing projects throughout County Durham, Northumberland, Teesside, Manchester, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Scotland, and we are happy to work further afield, including London, for the right projects. Our portfolio ranges from high-end bespoke new homes and rural barn conversions to complex HMO schemes and commercial-to-residential developments.

Modern building with curved glass and metal architecture, surrounded by green grass, trees with red and green leaves, and a wooden walkway with glass railings.

Explore our services

Our Architectural Services

At 81 North Design, we provide architectural design and development services for residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects across the UK. From small home extensions and bespoke new-build houses to HMOs, barn conversions, and commercial change-of-use schemes, we support projects from early feasibility through planning, technical design, and delivery.

Our work is shaped by experience on both sides of the fence. As architects and active property developers, we understand not just how buildings should look, but how they need to perform. Every design decision is informed by planning policy, buildability, cost control, and long-term value, helping our clients make confident, commercially sound decisions.

Residential Extensions & Bespoke Homes

We design residential extensions and bespoke homes that respond to how people actually live, while navigating planning constraints with clarity. Whether extending an existing property or creating a one-off new build, our focus is on well-proportioned spaces, buildable details, and designs that add long-term value.

HMOs & Investment-Led Schemes

We have extensive experience designing HMOs and investment-led residential schemes, working closely with landlords and developers to maximise space, compliance, and returns. Our approach balances local authority requirements with efficient layouts and robust technical solutions.

Barn Conversions & Rural Projects

Barn conversions and rural developments require a careful understanding of planning policy, existing structures, and context. We specialise in sensitive, well-justified designs that unlock the potential of rural buildings while respecting their character and setting.

Commercial & Change of Use

From commercial-to-residential conversions to mixed-use developments, we provide strategic architectural input that supports planning approval and delivery. Our experience helps de-risk complex schemes by addressing use class changes, access, layout, and technical constraints early.

Small Residential Developments

We work with landowners and developers on small residential developments, from site feasibility through to planning and detailed design. Our commercially informed approach ensures schemes are viable, policy-compliant, and deliverable.

If you’re considering a project and want clear, commercially grounded architectural advice, explore our services or get in touch to discuss your brief.

Based in the North East of England, we work with clients across County Durham, Northumberland, Teesside, Yorkshire, Manchester, Lincolnshire, Scotland, and London. While many of our projects are regional, we regularly work further afield and are happy to support the right schemes nationwide.

With Grant’s design skills, and Anthony’s industry knowledge gained via developing schemes, you have all the ingredients needed to compliment any property or construction project. Commercial conversions? HMOs? Dream Home Extension or New Build? How can we help you?

Living room with a yellow armchair, a white side table with a tall glass vase of pink and green flowers, a black and white framed abstract art, a wall-mounted TV, and a white TV stand with books, all on wooden flooring.

You’ve come too far now to let your dream scheme’s interior let your project down! From bespoke interior design packages, to ordering and installing all your furniture & furnishings, let us remove the headaches so your scheme is ready to move into or start making money from Day 1.

A person walking with an umbrella on a rainy city street, with buildings and street signs in the background.

So you’ve found your dream project! Great! Now let’s help you make sure that what you want can be achieved within budget, on time, or is even possible through planning or permitted development.

A modern single-story house with brown wood exterior and large glass windows, situated in a lush landscape with green grass, blooming trees, and a clear blue sky. Several people are seen on the house's porch and driveway.

CGI

Can’t wait to see what your dream scheme is going to look like? Let us take care of that with our photo realistic computer imagery. Great to help visualise the finished product, use as vision boards to aid builders, and use as marketing to sell your development before it’s finished.

We love to help on things like…

A bathroom sink with a white vessel basin, a gold faucet, green potted plant, and a vintage chair in front of green tiled walls with the text 'Bathroom Design' overlayed.
A modern house with a brick facade and large windows, surrounded by green landscaping and trees, with a partly cloudy sky in the background, overlaid with text that says 'Bespoke New Builds'.
A modern glamping lodge with glass-walled rooms surrounded by a landscaped garden and trees, with people relaxing outside and children playing.
Group of young adults having a casual gathering in a kitchen, some sitting and some standing, with coffee and snacks on the table, engaging in conversation.
Construction site with a yellow crane lifting materials, seen through a partially demolished wall with a cloudy sky in the background.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a large island with bar stools, potted plants, and built-in appliances, with text overlay saying 'kitchen Design'.
A modern, black and wooden house with large windows, situated on a grassy lawn under a partly cloudy sky.
Interior living room with two cowhide-patterned armchairs, a beige tufted ottoman, a large arched stained glass window, a dark wall, and a floor lamp.
Construction site with wooden framing against a blue sky with clouds and the sun, featuring a crane lifting materials.

…and everything in between

Grab a free chat session

Ready to unleash some creative magic? Found that lifechanging deal you need an extra pair of eyes on? Book your design, development or interiors appointment today and let your ideas sparkle and dance their way into reality!

Book consultation
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Get to
know us

A small but mighty team of experienced designers, developers and creators of all things awesome in the property space. Whatever it is you wish to build, we are able to climb into your brain & tease out all the vital information needed to ensure we deliver that dream project. We like to start with the end in mind, making sure your dream is buildable, fundable, and achievable.

Experienced, amateur or just curious, let us take away the stress from your next construction project by designing everything you need to make the process as easy as possible.

Headed up by Anthony Boyce, he uses his skills gained from over 20 years in the architectural, building surveying, planning & structural engineering industries, as well as his time building his own developments, to save you time and money on property projects.

Grant Hewitt is our building design wizard. Soon to be a fully qualified architect, but with lightyears of experience gained from working alongside Anthony in the bag already, Grant is the “one stop shop” needed to turn your project desires into bricks and mortar reality. Residential, Domestic, Commercial, Barns, what have you got? He’s done them all.

Four people posing with a large Instagram-style photo frame at a professional event, with banners in the background promoting energy market services and property management.

Daphne Blumer, the glue that keeps our team together, and the cats herded around the office. Without Daphne our world would fall apart, and she’ll be on hand to make sure your project and its progress don’t either.

With a few furry office friends occasionally thrown in (dogs, not tarantulas…), we make up the 81 North Design team.

We look forward to helping you design and build your dream scheme soon.

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A man with dark hair and a beard wearing a black jacket gesturing with his right arm against a yellow background with white text overlay that says 'Anthony Boyce Instagram'.
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Contact Us

Ready to team up? Need some friendly advice or inspiration?

Drop us your details and we’ll reach out to you soon. We’re excited to chat with you!