3bd Architects

32 Reviews

Architects & Architectural Designers

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About Us

14 years in business

7x Best of Houzz winner

Free consultation

Creative, High Quality RIBA Architects Based in Somerset

Founded in 2010, we've always had a clear vision for delivering creative, exceptional and functional architecture. We are an RIBA architectural practice run by three passionate Partners who have a strong design focus and over 30 years of experience between them. We specialise in contemporary high-quality residential / commercial extensions and new builds ranging from small, medium to large developments. Our core services range from architectural design to construction detailing and project management Our diverse and dynamic team of ambitious individuals are design-driven, technically savvy and experienced in contract management. Above all, we are authentic, believe in what we do and pride ourselves on our ability to listen to our clients and always aim to exceed their expectations. We all loved to play with lego as children. As experienced architects, the lego pieces have simply become much bigger, heavier and more complicated! Together we have projects ranging from home projects of all sizes, listed and historic buildings, offices and commercial newbuilds/refurbishments, hotels and spas. The architecture industry is filled with exciting, innovative and constantly evolving materials and ideas we want to share with you. Contact us about your project today. ---------- Good design adds value. It is not easy putting an economic value on good architectural design because measuring design quality is difficult. Whether you are looking to build a new house, an extension or undertake a major renovation, you have probably asked yourself whether an architect is worth the extra cost. Taking on construction is a huge investment and you want to be sure the money is spent where it matters. This is what 3bd Architects specialises in. We have the skills, expertise and experience that translate into benefits such as: lower construction costs; lower life-cycle costs; improved quality of life; improved efficiency and productivity; higher market values and resale value. To help you understand our contribution and expertise further, here’s a brief outline of how we would support you with your project. 1. Feasibility Assessments 2. Concept Design 3. Outline Design & Planning Applications 4. Construction Design 5. Contract Management

Awards

RIBA, ARB

Professional Information

RIBA Chartered and ARB Registered Architects

31 Projects

This is an example of a medium sized contemporary galley kitchen/diner in Other with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, composite countertops, grey splashback, travertine splashback, black appliances, travertine flooring, an island, beige floors and grey worktops.

Leighton Road

Bristol, City of Bristol

Large modern conservatory in Other with travertine flooring.

Richmond Road

Design ideas for a large and blue rustic side detached house with three floors, metal cladding, a metal roof and a blue roof.

The Meadows

This is an example of a medium sized contemporary galley kitchen/diner in Other with a belfast sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite worktops, metallic splashback, stone tiled splashback, black appliances, slate flooring, an island, white floors, white worktops and feature lighting.

Featured Review

James Thomas

Sam and his team guided us from start to finish through our kitchen extension and loft conversion project, and we couldn’t recommend them highly enough.Read Full Review

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32 Reviews for 3bd Architects

Newest first

5.0|32 reviews

Work Quality

5.0

Communication

5.0

Value

5.0

Richard Greenhalf

Our current project is the second time we’ve worked with 3bd and yet again, Sam and the team have been fantastic! Through fair and accurate pricing, design creativity and detailed support and patience, they have helped us arrive at a design we are delighted with and navigate the planning and Listed Building consent required to be able to get the project underway! This time, our brief was more unusual and the team have managed to create a whole house design, that allows us to make much better use of our whole home in a way that really meets our needs. Thank you!

29 July, 2026

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Thank you so much for your kind words, Richard, and for choosing to work with us again. It has been a real pleasure working with you on this project.

We are delighted that the design has met your needs and that we were able to help you navigate the planning and Listed Building Consent process. Your trust, patience and collaboration throughout the project have been greatly appreciated by the whole team.

We look forward to seeing the project come to life!

Nick A

3bd were brilliant - I couldn't ask for a more straightforward, reliable and efficient service. They helped us to prepare drawings and advised on getting us through a planning application for some changes to our property, which is in a conservation area in Bristol. Throughout the process they were knowledgeable, highly responsive and available. I would definitely recommend them.

11 June, 2026

Phillip Kirk

I am very happy to recommend 3bd Architects. Engaging an architect can feel very daunting. We wanted a proper architectural practice, rather than just some who could do the drawings. How do you find a firm that will use their experience and skill to produce a great design but also listen to your ideas, needs and charge a fee that feels fair and not excessive. We met a few other architects all very nice, but felt we would be signing a blank cheque and perhaps be taken in directions we didn’t want to go. But when we spoke to Nick and Dan it just felt right. Nick Shaw had led our project and is always a pleasure to deal with. Cheerful, positive and delivers things when he says he will. Our Planning Application has passed first time without amendment. Perfect. Now we are moving on to the Detailed Drawings stage and we would like to use 3bd Architects right up until the completion of the project. Lots more work to do but we feel happy knowing they will support us throughout the process.

16 February, 2026

Monica Z

Sam and Nick. have been instrumental in getting our new build off the ground, from perfect building reg plans to successfully navigating the planning submission for our garden room. What really set them apart was their proactive advice - they suggested great design tweaks and spent a lot of time helping us understand how to integrate solar energy and ASHP into the build. They truly care about the end result. We couldn't be happier!

20 January, 2026

HU-751918029

We had a great experience working with 3BD. It was our first time exploring the world of renovation and Sam and Jessica guided us through everything and helped with all our questions. We now have signed off plans that are exactly what we were looking for.

12 January, 2026

Carly Dryhurst-Smith

We're really pleased with the process and working relationship so far. The team are good with communication, they make changes promptly and are great at explaining their ideas and the process. We felt we had a tricky brief but are really excited about the creative ideas and can't wait to make it a reality in our home!

5 January, 2026

Toby

Sam and Milly have been great. They helped guide us through the planning process with grace and good humour. They were responsive and showed good local knowledge and a pragmatic approach to the design. I'd strongly recommend 3bd!

18 December, 2025

Tim Maggs

Sam and Dan worked diligently and professionally in helping us to gain consent for two new tennis courts. It was a complicated process involving a number of advisers but they worked hard and tied it all together to achieve the consent. Many thanks for your hard work.

5 December, 2025

Paul Clark

We used 3bd for some major rennovation to our 50s bungalow which included the addition of a dormer loft conversion. They were efficient, responsive and transparent at every stage and they produced a design that exceeded our expectations for the property. We would not hesitate to use them again. Highly recommended. Thank you!

27 November, 2024

Jude Sheeran

3bd ware a delight to work with. Sam and Jessica in particular showed creativity and were responsive throughout the process. My project was relatively minor, and yet they made me feel like a significant client at every step, and never tired of many questions. 3bd are well-networked and respected among local partners of all kinds and generally represent great value in my experience of similar projects. Most importantly perhaps, the entire team were professional and friendly at every step. Put simply, 3bd is a great firm made up of great people.

2 September, 2024

HU-983522172

I was recommended 3BD by a developer client of mine and I have been very impressed with their work to date. Sam and Jessica worked with me on a planning application and prepared a fantastic pack of drawings, alongside providing a best in class service. They dealt with all matters in a great fashion and I’m delighted that they supported me with obtaining planning approval. Thank you & highly recommended. Patrick

21 March, 2024

Guy Newell

Great team, houses ended up brilliant...would recommend. Well done 3BD

16 November, 2023

HU-318388172

We engaged 3bd to redesign a 2 bed dormer bungalow to three upstairs bedrooms by building a room in the garage roof. They did an excellent design and overcame problems that other people hadn’t even spotted. Plus added elements to enhance the six figure build.

22 November, 2022

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Richard,

Thank you so much for the review, we really appreciate this.
It was our pleasure as you made the process very easy for us in trusting our feedback and comments - we are very happy you are pleased with the design.

All the best and we look forward to collaborating with you in the future.

Jari L

Brilliant architect firm. I have really enjoyed working with them to design a new glass roofed side extension at my home in Bristol. They listened to our brief and were very easy about making tweaks to the design so it was just right for us. We look forward to working with them again. Very responsive. Highly recommended. Thanks 3bd Architects!

17 November, 2022

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Jari,

We really appreciate your review.

We enjoyed working with you as clients and appreciated the confidence you placed in us to deliver your aspirations.
All the best for now and we look forward to working with you in the future.

Luke C

Jess and Sam from 3bd architects continue to be fantastic to work with. Very accommodating, patient and efficient. We love the designs that have created for our new extension and look forward to seeing it come to life. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them!

17 November, 2022

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Luke,

Thank you very much for your message.

We are delighted you are pleased with our service and hope you enjoy your new home with your new family!

hells bells

Samantha was amazing, really attentive to detail and captured all that we hoped for. Combined practical design and style and was readily responsove to emails. Also v helpful in navigating options around planning applications.

18 April, 2022

W-A House Extension (Wider-Arcada Group)

We have been working with 3bd as Structural Engineers for more than 2 years now. What made our long-term cooperation possible was their highly professional service which was making our work always easier and more pleasant. What is important from our point of view (and what they definitely provide) are high-quality drawings, great architectural knowledge resulting in clever and smart solutions, nice contact and fluent information exchange. Those are also important for an Investor who can be sure they are a robust Office worth recommending.

10 January, 2020Last modified:13 January, 2020

Comment from 3bd Architects:

On behalf of all of us here at 3bd, we would like to thank you for your positive review. We very much enjoy working with you and thank you for your continued collaboration and support.

James Thomas

Sam and his team guided us from start to finish through our kitchen extension and loft conversion project, and we couldn’t recommend them highly enough. We are absolutely delighted with the results. 3bd are true experts, so no matter what came up on our project they had the answers. Sam was invaluable in helping manage the construction period - he has so much experience and great communication skills, when he speaks people listen. Don’t hesitate in appointing 3bd for your project.

16 June, 2019

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi James, we are so happy to hear from you. On behalf of the team, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to design your project. We are always happy to hear positive words of encouragement from a satisfied client and it was a great experience working with you.

Once again, thank you very much and keep well.

p/s great pics

Richard Greenhalf

My wife and I would highly recommend the team at 3bd! There's been fantastic communication, support and a very knowledgeable and professional service throughout our design project - from the first phone call to the achievement of planning permission. We've been consistently impressed with the ideas from Sam and Sean and the subsequent quality of work and presentation, both in terms of the large extension to our period property, but also in suggesting clever ways we can modify the existing layout to create an overall design that works brilliantly! The team have done exactly what they said they would do, when they said they would do it and have done so at the exact cost agreed upfront. Overall, they have thoroughly exceeded our expectations!

24 April, 2019

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Richard, more importantly, thank you for the opportunity you gave us to work on your project as without it we wouldn’t have had such an exciting design to showcase.
We thoroughly enjoy working with you and hope to continue to work with you on future projects.

Once again, thank you for your very kind words, positive review and to have exceeded your expectations. On behalf of the team, we are very delighted and happy you are satisfied with our services.

All the best.

Carrel Kalaba

Excellent assistance, very informative and extremely helpful team and original design. I would recommend them to anyone looking to build a great house

17 December, 2018

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Carrel, we appreciate your review and thank you for choosing us as your Architects. Very happy to have nailed your brief and for you to have given us the opportunity to work on such an exciting and playful project.

We look forward to our future collaboration on other projects.

Once more, thank you on behalf of the team.

All the best

Christian Dumoulain

Working on a few projects with 3bd architects and very satisfied with the work so far! A good understanding, knowledge and eye for the local setting and how to translate this in efficient and as required designs and buildings, while keeping close tabs on the client’s wishes. The phased approach 3bd has to projects also enables to influence and navigate a project from early conceptual design to construction. In practice this means a “project data sheet” including all project details and preliminary budgets, conceptual designs giving different options for potential plans and sequenced bill of quantities allowing you to construct in phases. Finally, small additional requests or questions outside scope of work get resolved as you go. In other words, satisfied with the overall service.

13 December, 2018

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Christian, thank you for your detailed review. On behalf of the team, we are grateful for your positive comments and very pleased you are satisfied with our services.

More importantly, we are very fortunate to have a flexible client such as yourself who is open to our sometimes unorthodox approach. We enjoy working with you and hope to continue working with you and your team on more and exciting projects in the future.

All the best.

Melissa Davis

We’ve worked with other architects we find 3bd architects to be very responsive and accommodating we will be using them again for future projects and highly recommend them.

12 February, 2018

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Thank you for your kind words, Melissa. We are delighted we met your expectations and certainly look forward to working with you both again.

Roxane Couttenier

Un sérieux, une qualité de travail irréprochable et très professionnelle tout en tenant compte des besoins du client! Je recommande 3BD Architects à tout le monde!

17 January, 2018

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Merci beaucoup pour ton commentaire positif ! Nous sommes très contents de lire que tu es satisfaite de notre travail. Nous attendons avec impatience de voir le résultat final de la clinique de JACK...

Stephen Coster

We hired 3bd Architects, and worked with Sam on our project which started in February 2017. He was involved from start to finish, including initial drawings, planning permission, construction drawings and project management. The project involved a ground floor extension, installation of a glass link, internal renovations, outside decking (including an inbuilt paddling pool for the kids!), supply and installation of electric gate. From start to finish they were brilliant. Fun to work with, professional throughout, creative and flexible. Sam is a top guy, very experienced, with a huge number of contacts which helped with various bits and pieces (metal work, fabric etc). Sam took a lot of stress out of the project, was always acting in our best interests and a great go between with the builders. He was very knowledgeable - and ultimately this knowledge and experience saved costs and ensured it was finished on budget. Cannot recommend more highly.

24 November, 2017

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Stephen, on behalf of the team, we would like to thank you for taking the time to write such a positive review. It is clear to see how the combination of a good brief and great client makes for a satisfying experience.

Your feedback is encouraging and makes our work worthwhile. Once again, thank you for your recommendations and happy to have been of service to you and your family.

Irene Sedgwick

I cannot praise 3bd highly enough, the project was small but far from straightforward but Sam guided us through from start to finish. He helped us to develop the ideas we had but to stretch it that bit further and he was a stickler for finish so we now have a space that we truly love. Irene Sedgwick

21 November, 2017

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Irene, we cannot thank you enough for your kind words and can't help but feel encouraged. It was a pleasure working with you and wish you all the best for now.

thedutnalls

Sam Rabin (3bd architects) designed and managed a major renovation of a Victorian house in East London for us. We could not fault the service we received which was excellent in terms of design, negotiating planning, managing the budget, creative approaches to seemingly unsolvable issues, tendering for and managing builders and ensuring excellent project management throughout. We will be continuing to work with 3bd during the second phase of our renovation and would not hesitate to recommend their work.

19 November, 2017

Comment from 3bd Architects:

On behalf of the team, we would like to thank you for considering 3bd as your architects on your wonderful project. We appreciate your positive review and your recommendations. We are very pleased you are happy with our comprehensive service package and happy to have collaborated with you. All the best.

Paul Dooley

3db Provided Architectural services up to Planning stage. Excellent service. Knowledgeable, professional, reliable, friendly and Client focused service. Would highly recommend to others.

17 November, 2017

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Paul, we just wanted to say we appreciate your review and thank you for complementing our service, professionalism and recommendations.

All the best for now.

Aida Lewis

Very polite and professional. Sam and Mariana makes you at eased therefore very easy to talk to. Listen to your requirements and give you suggestion what will work well. We have met him through my daughter when she had her extension in her house and we are very pleased with the outcome.

17 November, 2017

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Hi Aidia, we just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for picking us and for your kind words. We are happy you are very pleased with our service and wish you all the best. Thank you

Ashley Phillips

They were friendly from the start and explained each phase of the design process to me without being impatient. I am impressed with their ability to listen and they understood exactly what I wanted. They are truly talented and I would definitely hire them on more projects. Thank you guys and well done!

20 January, 2015Last modified:20 January, 2015

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Dear Ashley, thank you for your favourable and positive review. We are pleased to have delivered you the service you were expecting and more. We look forward to any future opportunity we may have to work with you again.

nakayanda

I was impressed with their ability to listen and understand our requirements. I was impressed with the clarity of the cost projections for the house and spa. The drawings are clear, user friendly and easy to understand. I recommend their services to anyone unreservedly.

15 January, 2015

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Dear Mrs Nakayanda, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your positive review and state that we are very happy that you found our work user-friendly. We look forward to working with you again and thank you for your recommendations.

kenneth0101

MCK is a large mine contracting company located in the Katanga Province of DRC. We hired 3bd, Mbachi Kaluba, to project manage the development of our workshop facility in Lubumbashi from design of the building though to selection of finishes, management of building contractor and sub-contractors, management of municipal laws, regulations and personnel and to regularly report back to us the client on progress. In short a complete turnkey project to be completed to specification and within our budget. We are exceptionally happy with our premises and the way in which the project was managed. We would not hesitate in using them again and/or recommending their services. Kenneth MacLeod For and on behalf of MCK Trucks SA

14 January, 2015

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Dear Kenneth, thank you for the time you have taken to write a great review. Here @ 3bd we pride ourselves on delivering excellence. Hope to work with you again.

bj_carpenter

3bd's unconventional roof design saved us £000's in construction costs and created a much larger room than we could have expected with traditional building techniques. Our builders had no problems understanding the drawings and as a result everything went smoothly Professional, approachable and exceeded my expectations - Would definitely recommend.

13 January, 2015

Comment from 3bd Architects:

Thank you for the time you have taken to write this review - we are glad we saved you the £000's in construction costs and thank you for your kind words and recommendations.

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Business Details

Business Name

3bd Architects

Phone Number

0117 325 6298

Website

www.3bdarchitects.com

Address

15 & 17 Backfields Lane
Bristol, Bristol BS2 8QW
United Kingdom

Typical Job Cost

£50,000 - £1 million

Followers

145 Followers

Socials

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Services Provided

Architectural Design

Architectural Drawings

House Extensions

Home Renovation

New Home Build

Building Design

House Plans

Custom Build Homes

Complete Kitchen Renovation

Loft Conversion

House Restoration

Sustainable Design

Project Management

Floor Plans

Basement Conversion

Building Conservation

Basement Design

Eco Homes

3D Rendering

Loft Restoration

Accessible Design

Site Planning

Drafting

Passive Houses

Structural Engineering

Tiny House Building

Bathroom Design

Swimming Pool Construction

Space Planning

Custom Build Home

Green Building

New Home Construction

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Areas Served

Barnet

Bath

Bethnal Green

Bow

Bristol

Camden

Cotswolds

Ealing

Earl's Court

Gloucester

London

Mile End

Shoreditch

Somerset

Wales

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3bd Architects

About Us

Awards

Professional Information

Category

31 Projects

Leighton Road

Richmond Road

The Meadows

Saffron Lodge

Heywood Lodge

24 Connaught Road

32 Reviews for 3bd Architects

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About Us

Awards

Professional Information

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31 Projects

Leighton Road

Richmond Road

The Meadows

Saffron Lodge

Heywood Lodge

24 Connaught Road

32 Reviews for 3bd Architects

Business Details

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Phone Number

Website

Address

Typical Job Cost

Followers

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15 Ideabooks

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