NEWS

Business Award Winner !!

ajflockhart
Oct 15
1 min read

We’re absolutely delighted to have won the Excellence in Customer Service Award at the East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2025 sponsored by Taylor Wimpey.

It was a fabulous evening Dalmeny Park House Hotel hosted by Jennifer Reoch - congratulations to all the finalists and winners!

As a small husband-and-wife practice, we pride ourselves on providing a highly personalised service, placing our clients’ needs and aspirations at the heart of every project.

In the past year:

- 75% of new projects came through recommendations from previous clients via friends and family.

- 25% came directly through our website, where testimonials and our portfolio gave prospective clients the confidence to get in touch.

Here’s to another year of exciting projects — onwards and upwards!

Flockhart Architects Ltd are a design focussed practice based in Glasgow with projects across the central belt and south-west Scotland. We design residential extensions and alterations, community, civic & commercial buildings and new build eco homes.

We provide a full range of architectural services from feasibility studies and sketch designs to planning applications, building warrant applications and managing the project from inception to completion. Whether it's improving your current home, expanding your living space, building a new home, or converting a barn, our experienced team of architects in Glasgow are here to guide you through every step of the process.

We’re Finalists!

ajflockhart
Aug 28
1 min read

We’re delighted to share some exciting news – our practice has been selected as a finalist in the East Renfrewshire Business Awards 2025, in the category of Excellence in Customer Service. ✨

Customer service is at the heart of what we do, so it’s a real honour to be recognised in this way. We’re proud to work closely with our clients, listening carefully, collaborating openly, and ensuring that every project – no matter the scale – reflects both their needs and our commitment to thoughtful, sustainable design.

In the spirit of celebrating, we also thought it was about time our practice had a little refresh. You may have noticed our updated logo – a cleaner, bolder look that feels right for this moment. We hope you like it as much as we do.

We’re very much looking forward to joining fellow finalists at the awards ceremony this September, and celebrating the fantastic businesses that make East Renfrewshire such a vibrant place to live and work.

How do I upgrade my conservatory?

ajflockhart
Jan 17
2 min read

Updated: Jan 22

Thinking about transforming your old conservatory into a usable, year-round space? It’s a great idea, but whether it’s possible depends on how it was originally built.

Conservatories were all the range in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but many were constructed with basic materials, thin plastic glazing, polycarbonate roofs, and little to no insulation. Without heating or proper insulation, they often turn into a greenhouse in summer and an icebox in winter, far from the cosy, functional space you might have envisioned!

What makes conservatories tricky to upgrade?

Several factors determine how easily your conservatory can be upgraded, including:

Shape & Layout – Simpler shapes, like squares or rectangles, are easier to retrofit.
Structure & Foundations – Some conservatories have minimal or weak foundations, which may not support additional insulation or new walls.
Site Constraints – Elements like adjacent roofs, eaves, or windows may limit your options.

What’s involved in the conversion?

If your conservatory is the right size and layout for your needs, the first step is to assess its foundations. We’d work alongside a Structural Engineer to investigate whether they can support the extra weight of insulation and a new roof. This is crucial before moving forward with any design work.

For a heated, comfortable space, you’ll need:

Insulated walls and roof – Likely using a lightweight timber frame structure.
A new roof – To replace old polycarbonate panels and improve thermal performance.
Reduced glazing – Too much glass can lead to overheating, so balancing natural light with solid walls is key.

What Permissions Do You Need?

Planning Permission – Required if your conservatory is at the front of the house, in a Conservation Area, or if significant changes (like raising the roof) are needed. If it's at the rear, it might fall under your 'permitted development rights'.
Building Warrant Approval – Almost always needed to ensure the space meets the Scottish Building Regulations.

Speak to a Professional

Every conservatory conversion is different, so it’s always best to consult an ARB registered architect. We can help navigate planning permissions, assess structural requirements, and design a comfortable, energy-efficient space tailored to your home.

Need some ideas? Click here to see a conservatory upgrade we are currently working on.

Or, get in touch - we’d love to help!