More than Buildings
Placemaking is about more than buildings. It’s about shaping environments where people can live, work, and connect. At BCAE Architects, we see larger developments – whether housing schemes, care facilities, apartment blocks, or commercial spaces – as opportunities to create places with meaning.
From concept to completion, we work alongside developers, businesses, and communities to ensure projects are not just viable, but valuable: enhancing landscapes, supporting wellbeing, and standing the test of time.
Unlocking potential
Every site has its own story, and every development begins with understanding it. We conduct thorough feasibility studies, assessing constraints and opportunities so you know exactly what’s possible within your budget and timescale. That means considering access, density, local authority requirements, and environmental impact right from the start.
Our role is to give you clear, honest advice and a range of options. Whether the goal is a residential community, a mixed-use scheme, or a commercial space, we’ll help you unlock potential in a way that is practical, creative, and future-focused.
Large-scale housing
Housing is one of today’s greatest challenges, but we believe scale doesn’t have to mean compromise. Larger developments succeed when they balance efficiency with quality of life – places where people feel proud to live, not just places to sleep.
We carefully consider layouts, natural light, and outdoor space. Shared courtyards, pedestrian-friendly streets, and green infrastructure all shape how communities grow. Our Windsor House conversion to nine apartments showed how an underused building can be reimagined into much-needed housing while enhancing its character and setting.
Whether it’s a new-build scheme on the edge of a village or a denser urban plot, we design with people, landscape, and legacy in mind.
Large-scale housing
Housing is one of today’s greatest challenges, but we believe scale doesn’t have to mean compromise. Larger developments succeed when they balance efficiency with quality of life – places where people feel proud to live, not just places to sleep.
We carefully consider layouts, natural light, and outdoor space. Shared courtyards, pedestrian-friendly streets, and green infrastructure all shape how communities grow. Our Windsor House conversion to nine apartments showed how an underused building can be reimagined into much-needed housing while enhancing its character and setting.
Whether it’s a new-build scheme on the edge of a village or a denser urban plot, we design with people, landscape, and legacy in mind.
Commercial and community spaces
Placemaking extends beyond housing. Commercial and community projects shape how we work, learn, and gather – and they should inspire as much as they function.
We design offices, studios, retail, and community hubs with a clear focus on usability, budget, and identity. Even when working with historic fabric, we balance heritage and innovation – transforming old shells into vibrant, efficient spaces. Whatever the brief, our aim is to create buildings that serve people and strengthen the places around them.
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Care homes and specialist housing
Placemaking also means designing for specific needs. Care homes, supported living, and specialist housing must combine efficiency with dignity, safety with comfort.
At Sparth House in Rochdale – a 72-bed care home – we worked to create an environment that balances community with privacy. Communal areas encourage connection, while private rooms provide independence and sanctuary. These projects remind us that architecture has a direct impact on wellbeing, and that thoughtful design can transform specialist accommodation into a true home.
Navigating complexity
Larger developments bring complexity: planning policy, technical standards, local authority engagement, stakeholder consultation. These hurdles can feel daunting, but they’re part of our everyday.
We’re experienced in working within the framework of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other local and national requirements. We coordinate with planning officers, consultants, and wider teams to keep projects moving smoothly. Our job is to give you clarity and confidence – handling the detail so you can focus on the bigger picture.
The spaces in between
What makes a place work isn’t only the buildings themselves – it’s the spaces between them. Streets, courtyards, gardens, and walkways are what hold developments together, shaping how people move and interact.
We treat these “in-between” spaces with as much care as the buildings, ensuring routes feel natural, views are framed, and shared spaces encourage belonging. Done well, they make the difference between a collection of buildings and a genuine community.
Sustainability at scale
Larger projects also bring larger responsibilities. We embed sustainability into every stage, from siting and orientation to energy systems and materials.
That might mean designing for natural light and ventilation to reduce energy demand, integrating sustainable drainage systems, or exploring shared infrastructure for heat and power. We also think about adaptability – how places will evolve over decades to remain useful and relevant.
In this way, sustainability becomes more than an add-on. It becomes part of the DNA of the development.
From design to delivery
Our involvement doesn’t end with planning approval. We stay with projects through tendering, technical design, and construction, ensuring that what’s built matches the quality of what was envisioned. We prioritise transparency and collaboration, keeping clients informed and in control at every stage.
From early sketches to handing over the keys, we focus on quality, efficiency, and the long-term value of the place.
Why placemaking matters
At its heart, placemaking is about belonging. It’s about creating housing developments where people feel connected, care facilities where residents feel at home, and commercial or community buildings that enrich daily life.
Done well, placemaking improves wellbeing, supports resilience, and creates environments people invest in. It’s not about filling land with units – it’s about designing places people want to live in, work in, and return to.
If you’re planning a multi-home housing scheme, a care home, a community project, or a commercial development, we’d love to help. Together, we can design something that is practical, inspiring, and built to last.
Kind words,
from our clients
"Ben understood our vision from the first design appointment, and his drawings took our lifestyle into full consideration. Arron and Ben have stayed in contact throughout the build, ensuring any amendments are in line with the aesthetic we want for our finished home. It would have been a lot more stressful without their help!"
Oliver
The Barn
Kind words,
from our clients
"Arron has been an fantastic support since we embarked upon our renovation. He was on hand to answer all our questions and made the design process really enjoyable. We were looking for an architect who would make suggestions and challenge us and Arron certainly did that. Our final design is incredible and we are so excited to see it come to life. We couldn’t recommend BCAE more."
Naomi & Jack Campbell
Glen Avenue
Kind words,
from our clients
"We were truly blown away by the concepts and can’t wait to proceed to the next steps!"
Jemma & Lee
Wigan Road
Kind words,
from our clients
"Thank you, Ben, for all the work you have done on the design – Its down to you it's got through 😊 and nice to hear about the comments, Just shows your talent!"
Kim Ray
Astley Street
Kind words,
from our clients
"We have worked with both Ben and Arron at BCAE for some time now on projects throughout the North West. From concept through to technical delivery, the BCAE team always go above and beyond. Their professional yet personal touch makes them a pleasure to work with and we look forward to working together in the future. Thanks again guys, on to the next project!"
Arron Dewhurst
A.R.N Projects
Kind words,
from our clients
"We have been working with BCAE Architects on a couple of our commercial projects, including the conversion of a care home into residential apartments with an innovative focus on intergenerational living. Throughout the process, Arron, Ben and their team have consistently delivered. The attention to detail in their designs and presentation is particularly commendable—they’ve managed to bring our vision to life in a way that is both practical and inspiring.
We’ve been thoroughly impressed with their ability to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, and their proactive approach has ensured that any challenges are swiftly addressed. We look forward to continuing our partnership on future projects.”
Omair Haider
Millennium Care Group - Managing Director
Kind words,
from our clients
"CitySide Work with BCAE across multiple projects, each with unique challenges and complexities. Their expertise has been evident in the development of a 72 bed care home within an £9.5m construction budget, a sensitive 110 home development in open countryside, a 36-bed HMO split into townhouses, and a comprehensive 108-acre mixed-use masterplan, as well as completing multiple other feasibility study’s for our sites. From concept to detailed design at Stage 4, BCAE Architects consistently deliver innovative solutions, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach that ensures our projects are not only functional but also exceed expectations. Their commitment to quality and design flair makes them a valuable partner."
Benjamin Carr
Cityside - Co-founder