FAQs

What kinds of projects do you work on?

I work mainly on residential projects, particularly family homes. This includes extensions, renovations, reconfiguration, retrofit and sensitive work to period properties. I’m always thinking about how spaces feel and function day to day, not just how they look.

Do you work on period homes and conservation areas?

Yes, very often. I regularly work with Edwardian, Victorian and early 20th-century houses, including those in conservation areas. I enjoy finding thoughtful ways to respect a building’s character while helping it evolve for modern family life.

Will I be working directly with you?

Yes. Every project is personally led by me, Mint Findlay, from our first conversation through to completion on site. Clients value having one consistent point of contact throughout.

What services do you offer?

I offer four core services, which are explained in more detail on the Services page:

• Feasibility and Early Design

• Design and Planning

• Technical Design

• Construction Support

Some clients work with me for a single stage, others for the full journey.

Do you design interiors and built in furniture?

Yes. Interior design thinking is always part of my architectural approach. I design bespoke built in furniture, joinery and fixed elements as part of the architecture from the outset, so spaces feel considered, practical and cohesive.

Do you work with other specialists?

Yes. Where needed, I work closely with trusted consultants, including structural and services engineers, lighting and acoustic specialists, landscape designers and interior designers. Collaboration is part of the process, but the design always starts as a joined up whole.

Are you professionally accredited?

Yes. I’m ARB registered and a Chartered Member of both RIBA and RIAS.

How much does an architect cost?

Fees vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project. I offer a free initial Google Meet to talk things through, followed by a £350 site consultation. After this, I’ll provide a clear, tailored fee proposal for the next stages.

Do I need planning permission?

It depends on what you’re proposing. Some projects fall under Permitted Development, while others need planning permission. I’ll advise you early on the best and most realistic route.

How long does the process take?

Most projects need a measured building survey, which typically takes around 4 to 6 weeks to arrange and receive. Design work usually takes a further 6 to 8 weeks. As a guide, it’s sensible to allow around 10 to 14 weeks from the initial site meeting to planning submission.

Can you help with consultants and builders?

Yes. I can help facilitate trusted consultants and work alongside contractors. Appointments are made directly by the client, while I remain your main point of contact and stay closely involved in the design.

How do we get started?

You can get in touch via the contact page or email me directly. We’ll usually begin with a relaxed initial call to talk through your ideas and see if it’s a good fit.

We worked with Mint for the full renovation of our house in Harpenden. Mint was fantastic and worked brilliantly with our building project manager throughout the process. It was not an easy project with Covid and us not being in the country for the majority of the project. However, the communication was excellent and all on-site and virtual meetings were worked around our busy schedules.

Any issues were resolved or worked around with clever design. We would highly recommend Mint for any other projects.

As well as building a substantial 2 story extension to our house we also wanted to update the whole external appearance of our slightly ungainly 1960s house. We turned to Mint Architecture following a recommendation from a friend.

We were immediately impressed by both the professional service, practical advice and design ideas Mint came up with which maximised the use of space as well as making the most of the sloping site. The final external design transforms the house and the planning application went through without any issues.

Mint Architecture undertook the design and management of a major renovation of our London penthouse flat, including re-configuring the internal layout of rooms, decorating and furnishing the internal areas, as well as designing the configuration and furnishings for the external terraced areas.

We are very pleased with the outcome of this work as well as the way it was executed.  Proposals were creative and practical, with all proposals and ideas being well researched and presented.   The programme selected was accurately priced and the implementation, including managing builders, furniture makers and gardeners was very effectively carried out.  As a consequence, I would highly recommend Mint Architecture.

We commissioned Mint to create architectural plans for a loft conversion and remodelling of our Victorian house.

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We could not have been happier with the creativity, commitment and precision Mint demonstrated throughout the project and the extra mile she went providing recommendations and useful industry contacts to facilitate our project. 

Mint is very knowledgeable, trustworthy and provided all our plans in advance of deadlines and within budget. Importantly she is also very friendly and personable and we therefore thoroughly enjoyed working with her to help create our dream home.

We hired Mint Architecture for our house renovation project which consisted of a two storey extension, single storey side return and refurb of the existing house.

Mint was highly personable and easy to deal with. She produced high quality drawings that were easy to understand, including 3D visual models which really helped us visualise our project.

She listened to our brief and translated this accurately into the drawings - providing us with 4 different options depending on our needs and budget, helping us to choose the best outcome for our family and home.

She handled the planning queries and complexities with ease, meaning the project was delivered on time and with minimal issues. We wouldn't hesitate in recommending Mint Architecture to others.

We used Mint to help design our new build home in Harpenden's Green Belt. The ideas, attention to detail and all round service were first class. The end product is all we could have wished for and so we highly recommend Mint Architecture.

Mint Architecture undertook the architectural proposals for an extension and works of my Victorian house in London. From the outset Mint provided a very professional service and was also extremely helpful through the process.

We discussed the requirements and Mint developed a number of possible options to consider. The options included some really creative ideas but were quite different, which enabled us to take the best bits and put them into a final set of plans. 

Our planning application passed first time round, despite a difficult context.

The plans gave the contractors a great blue print to work from. Mint provided an end to end service, which provided some great ideas, quality plans and a really personable service.

From our first correspondence, through creative plans and ideas, sourcing within our budget, appointing builders, on site project management and dealing with the complexities of our tight mid terrace site, we felt in safe hands and are so grateful to Mint. Her expert advice and willingness to go above and beyond remit.  It's wonderful to see the design off paper and functioning as a practical, yet beautiful and cool space. We love it and so does everyone else. 

Mint provided architectural services and design to our extension build and 2 storey garage conversion. She should be highly commended for her design and programme management.

Mint has a clear ability to translate a brief onto paper and created a design which sat seamlessly with the original property.

The detail of her drawings was commented on by contractors and made it possible to receive an accurate build quotation. It also helped to ensure that we as the client understood our extension and could go ahead safe in the knowledge it would look as we hoped.

Mint worked well with our contractor to find solutions and help drive the programme to completion.