Common to all our projects is the use of glass to bring natural light into all parts of a project and to provide a better visual and physical connection between the Interior and exterior.

“Shape Architecture have successfully met the criteria laid down in a number of ways including the creation of an interior that works around the principles of transparency, openness and light. Their attention to detail was exemplary.”

– Mr. P Gillies , Transformation of Listed Apartment

The brief for our project in Rugby Road, called for a side extension and the opening up of a ‘messy’ interior with improved connection to the garden, in order to create a light, bright and contemporary kitchen/dining space. The result has exceeded expectations.

It features a full height and wide glazed window which merges into a rooflight with a frameless glass to glass connection set in a Sedum roof which helps integrate the extension into the garden setting.

Click to link to Rugby Road Project

Shape Architecture offers our clients numerous additional services ranging from interior design to garden design.  A popular service is our design of bespoke furniture and many of our projects benefit from our experience in this area.  Typically, we will design walk-in-wardrobes, kitchens and storage units of all types.

The development of the design of these items alongside the architectural design of the surrounding space ensures a harmonious integration.  The process sees us taking the client’s brief and preparing a series of design proposals in both 2D and 3D modelling.  We then work up in detail our large-scale drawings of each item of furniture to be priced.

Click to link to our Shirley Drive Project

Shape Architecture has been successful in obtaining planning permission for roof terraces throughout Brighton and London.  These vary form listed building to Mews houses.  In Brighton we have recently obtained permission for a large roof terrace in a conservation area in Norfolk Road, accessed via a three sided glass box.   Prior to that we obtained permission for a roof terrace to Cavendish House on the seafront opposite e the i360.

Click to link to Norfolk Road Project

Our Client at Norfolk Road writes: “Simply blown away by our planning permission being granted for a roof terrace. Especially since we were told by residents on our street that it was impossible to achieve this. Thank you to the stellar team for such a smooth and efficient process. We cannot wait for the next phases now.”

Shape Architecture continues to transform the interiors of listed buildings into light and open contemporary spaces throughout Brighton and Hove.

Here at Brunswick Terrace on the seafront we have opened up two rooms to create an impressive kitchen, living and dining room.  The kitchen which was languishing in the rear is now integrated with the living space. A new bedroom with en-suite replaces it.

Click to link to Brunswick Terrace Project 

Our Client at Brunswick Terrace writes:  “We’ve been working with Shape Architecture on a rebuild/restoration of a flat in a listed building, which required a lot of work. Throughout the entire process, the work that Jason has done has been perfect, starting with a completely painless planning process, through the tender process for the contractor to completion of the different stages of the project.

Our portfolio of work contains over 30 basement projects.  Here the bringing in of natural light into the space is key in creating a quality of space and this is where we have much experience.  Our basements range from mews properties to houses and below gardens and flats.

Click to link to Third Avenue Project

Our Client at Third Avenue writes: “I have been super impressed with every aspect of the service from Shape. I had quite a complex project where I was planning to turn my flat into a Duplex.  I cannot personally recommend the team at Shape more highly and I have been so pleased with every aspect of their service – a telling sign (for me) was all the people around the project from the party wall surveyor to the building team etc, etc did not have anything but praise for Shape as well.”

Shape Architecture communicates clearly to our clients, and this is at the foundation for a successful project.  All designs, no matter what size are developed in 3D alongside freehand drawing.  A typical concept proposals brochure will have 4 or 5 different options described in 3D, 2D and freehand drawings and this will be the basis for discussion with the Client as we determine the preferred design.

As a practice we have always taken students for work experience from local schools each July.  The schools include Varndean College, Dorothy Stringer and Steyning Grammar.  Each student is set a design project, a favourite being to design a sustainable house on an island in a Scottish loch.  We help the students sketch, draw in 2D CAD and finally make a 3D computer model.  Both students and ourselves always enjoy these placements.

Jason Wren  RIBA, ARB, BA Hons, Dip Arch, Msc

I completed my architectural degrees at the University of Brighton, graduating in 1992 and then returning to take my Part 3 professional qualifications.  Following this, I also took a Master of Science Degree in Computer Visualisation at the University of Dundee in 1993.

For twelve years, I worked at leading architectural practices in London rising to Associate Director Level and working on groundbreaking sustainable projects under the architect David Lloyd Jones for ten years, such as the Doxford Solar Office and benchmark sustainable school buildings throughout the country.

I established Shape Architecture in 2006, to focus on a high-quality design led approach to residential projects.  Informed by expertise in sustainable design and a wide range of methods of construction.

Outside of practice life, I enjoy painting, drawing, and walking in the South Downs, alongside supporting Brighton and Hove Albion.  Often accompanied by Sid, our Fox Terrier.