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Architectural design & planning services for the commercial sector

Looking for a trusted partner to bring your commercial project to life? CR Design Services offers a comprehensive range of architectural design and planning services tailored for commercial and public sector schemes.

Our team of highly skilled commercial architects work on a diverse portfolio of projects, from educational facilities like schools and universities to vibrant hospitality venues including restaurants and hotels. We design retail spaces, industrial sites and green energy projects and have supported charities and community endeavours with innovative architectural solutions.

Commercial Architects

As commercial architects, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities presented by large-scale building projects.

We combine creativity and technical expertise to deliver functional and visually stunning spaces that perfectly align with your vision. Whether you’re embarking on a new build or a complex renovation, CR Design Services is committed to guiding you through every stage of the process, ensuring a smooth and successful outcome.

Our focus extends beyond Durham. While our headquarters are conveniently located in the heart of the North East, we take pride in collaborating with clients across the UK. We understand the importance of building strong relationships and believe in fostering open communication throughout the entire project duration.

Our commercial projects

Below are our projects, showcasing the work we’ve delivered across different areas. Each one reflects our approach, capabilities, and commitment to quality.

Schools & Universities

Design advice, concept and planning design services, technical design, structural design and ongoing assistance during the tendering process and build stage.

Industrial & Commercial

Design consultancy services for both new build industrial/commercial units and reconfiguration and upgrade of existing industrial sites, including partitioning and mezzanine floors.

Green Energy

Design consultancy services for green energy installations on various private and community buildings, including PV solar panels, heat pumps, and thermal efficiency upgrades.

Bespoke Design Support

We provide bespoke design support for projects that don’t fit traditional norms. This could be help with a planning application, technical help at build stage, or support for the full design process.

Restaurants & Hotels

Guidance for new build or change-of-use applications and reconfigurations for new/existing building to be used as restaurants or accommodation, such as holiday lets or hotels.

Mixed use developments

Concept design, technical design, planning support and support at build stage for retail units and residential apartments in existing buildings or low-rise blocks.

Redevelopment

Design services for redevelopment of derelict or dormant areas into retail, commercial, residential or mixed-use sites. We help with the safe surveying of difficult or dangerous to access buildings, planning and design support, and support at build stage.

New Build Housing Developments

We have a proven track record with new build housing developments. This could be a single plot, a small group of plots, or a large housing estate. We can help with the initial site appraisal, pre-planning, concept design, detailed design, construction drawings, and structural design.

Steel Portal Frame Design

Structural design of steel portal frames for industrial and commercial units.

Start a project today

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MMA profile picture
MMA
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Very good experience! (Not giving 5, as you have to sometimes chase for an update)
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Matt Ginger profile picture
Matt Ginger
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After doing our research and speaking with a few different companies, we decided to go with CR Design Services. The ask was to redesign the downstairs space in our Victorian Terrace house. They understood the brief so quickly and challenged us on design options, this was very welcome- saving us money in some areas but telling us to spend it in others. To make sure you get the best end result. We can’t recommend this company enough, the quality of the work and the attention to detail is fantastic. They are also impressive on responding to queries, either the day of or 1 day after - due to the nature of work, you will have a lot of queries. So having a business that actions them so quickly is great. A big thank you to Asal, Chris and the team. We will be using you in the future. Thanks
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johann crichton
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Chris was fantastic when I needed a structural plan drawn up for my loft. So helpful and so easy to deal with going out of his way to help and affordable prices . I couldn’t fault his service in anyway and highly recommended .
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ELAINE SNEDDON profile picture
ELAINE SNEDDON
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Excellent experience with CR design - I can 100% recommend their services and would definitely use them again. They helped me navigate the confusing world of planning permission with listed buildings to acheive a successful outcome.
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Stefka Arsovska
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Great company to deal with!!! Excellent , professional services done in accordance with contract in timely manner. Very polite staff, always keen to help. For hassle-free design services, support for the council's Planning Permission and Building Regulations applications I strongly recommend CR Design Services. I would definitely used them again.
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David Henness
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Used CR Design to design a renovation for a bungalow. The firm was very professional. They listened to our ideas and were able to provide a great design as well as help with building regulations. A great service that I would certainly recommend.
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Cameron Stanwick profile picture
Cameron Stanwick
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10/10 service - would not recommend any other architecture company to this degree. Approached them with 3 weeks notice after being with another architect firm that said the job couldn’t be done / wouldn’t be approved. CR Designs took on the job, drew the plans to what I needed and submitted them to my planning officer. Over the moon to say the plans were granted after a long 6 months of initially submitting my application - thank you so much!
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Darren Myners
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I had a project that was probably quite awkward for the team due to the numerous changes requested. Despite this, the team was very supportive and produced high-quality work.
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Elizabeth Every profile picture
Elizabeth Every
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We needed a revised plan drawn at short notice during lockdown in the middle of a building project. Laura was able to respond quickly, quoted a fixed price, liaised with us to get the information accurate and completed our plans within three weeks. We have now received planning permission and are able to get on with minimum delay. Thank you for your reliable, fast and professional service. We have just received approval for a retrospective plan to complete the above project two years further on and have received the same professional and thoughtfull service from Caroline and her team. Highly recommended.
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Rosslyn Haith
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Most professional organisation and worked to tight timelines, everyone I dealt with were knowledgeable, delivered a high quality service and their work was to an excellent standard. They made excellent suggestions - the team led by Chris with Asal and Caroline were a pleasure to work with. They took my architects high level drawings and created comprehensive building plans to the eco passive house standards that we required. Exemplary!