What Bright Design Architects does

Bright Design Architects is a privately held architectural practice headquartered in Blackrock, South County Dublin, Ireland, founded in 2012 by directors Alan Burns (MRIAI) and Michael Frain. The firm operates primarily as a residential-focused practice, delivering new builds, renovations, and extensions for homeowners across the greater Dublin region—including properties within the M50 motorway and up to 20km outside—with selected project work in adjacent counties such as Louth and notable institutional and commercial engagements. Its service offering spans Full Architectural Services delivered to RIAI standards for projects typically valued above €250k, a tiered Bright Concepts Package with three standardized design concept tiers (Small under 55sqm from €2,700; Medium 56-90sqm from €3,750; Large 91-120sqm from €4,450), and entry-level on-site First Consultations priced at €245 inside M50 or €295 outside, with consultation fees deductible against subsequent architectural services.

The practice employs seven staff: three directors, a senior architectural technologist, three project architects, two architectural graduates, and an office administrator, supported by an external consultant network of structural engineers, M&E engineers, quantity surveyors, energy advisors, and PSDP safety consultants engaged on a project basis. Technical delivery is based on conventional CAD-based design and documentation supported by photographic and measured survey techniques; the firm has no documented proprietary technology, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities. Differentiation rests on specialized credentials including Grade III Conservation accreditation from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), Passive Haus Certified Designer status through the Passive House Institute, and a Graduate Diploma in Fire Safety Design held within the team, positioning the firm for heritage and high-performance energy work.

Revenue is generated through fixed-fee engagements billed per work stage on a pay-as-you-go basis with no obligation to commit to subsequent stages, supplemented by direct online booking and online payment for consultations and Bright Concepts packages via the firm's Squarespace-based website. Go-to-market emphasizes earned media coverage in Irish national press (Irish Times, Sunday Independent, Plan Magazine, House and Home), an active presence across Instagram and YouTube, professional listings on Houzz, and community engagement through RIAI Simon Open Door, Pieta Darkness into Light, and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council events. Notable completed projects include the St Colmcilles Community School Sports and Arts Complex (opened October 2023), the Glasshouse 2 co-working space in Dun Laoghaire (featured in Plan Magazine September 2021), and the Cliven Farm heritage renovation in Co. Louth (featured in The Sunday Times July 2023). The practice was listed among House and Home's Top 20 Irish Architects in 2021.

Name

Bright Design Architects

Legal name

Bright Design Architects

Website

https://brightdesigns.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bright Design Architects is a Dublin-based architectural practice founded in 2012, delivering Full RIAI Architectural Services, tiered Bright Concepts Packages, and on-site consultations to homeowners across greater Dublin—alongside selective commercial, educational, and heritage engagements in Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build) (HSAPAEAI)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Residential architecture
• Home renovation design
• Building feasibility studies
• Conservation architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Booterstown, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Initial Consultations: Fixed-fee consultation services for domestic projects. €245 inside M50, €295 outside M50 (up to 20km). Consultation deductible from future fees except Bright Concepts Package.
2. Bright Concepts Package: Pre-packaged design concept services at three tiers: Small (<55sqm) from €2,700, Medium (56-90sqm) from €3,750, Large (91-120sqm) from €4,450. Includes site meeting, measured survey, 2-3 design options with optional 3D.
3. Full Architectural Services: RIAI Architectural Services from initial design through to completion. Competitive fixed fees based on individual work stages without obligation to commit to subsequent stages. Minimum project threshold of €250k.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bright Design Architects provides architectural design and consulting services primarily for residential property owners in the Dublin area, with selective commercial and institutional projects. Core deliverables include Full Architectural Services covering initial feasibility through to project completion (planning permission, design development, contractor coordination), supported by specialised services such as Initial Feasibility Studies, House Health Checks, Energy Saving Solutions, Property Appraisals and Site Selection, Site and Development Feasibility, and Spatial Consultations. Tiered pre-packaged Bright Concepts design services (Small under 55sqm from €2,700, Medium 56–90sqm from €3,750, Large 91–120sqm from €4,450) provide standardised concept design for renovations and extensions.

Product overview

Bright Design Architects is an architectural firm providing design and consulting services primarily for residential and commercial projects in the Dublin area. The core offering is Full Architectural Services covering the complete project lifecycle from initial feasibility through to completion. Supporting this are specialized services including House Health Checks, Energy Saving Solutions, Spatial Consultations, and Property Appraisals. The firm also offers tiered Bright Concepts Packages (Small, Medium, Large) which provide concept design services for renovations and extensions at different property sizes, priced from €2,700 to €4,450. Entry-level engagement is through First Consultations priced at €245-€295 depending on location. All services are delivered by a team of architects and design professionals based in Blackrock, South County Dublin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full Architectural Services Complete RIAI architectural service from initial design through to project completion for residential and commercial clients, including planning permission applications, design development, and contractor coordination. Typically applied to projects above €250k in value.
• Initial Feasibility Studies Assessment of project viability including site analysis, planning considerations, and preliminary budget evaluation for prospective renovation, extension, or build projects.
• House Health Checks Comprehensive assessment of existing property condition including energy efficiency, structural integrity, and renovation potential for homeowners evaluating improvement options.
• Energy Saving Solutions Advice and design services focused on improving property energy efficiency and thermal performance, supported by the practice's Passive Haus Certified Designer credentials.
• Property Appraisals and Site Selection Expert assessment of properties for purchase consideration including design potential and planning implications, typically used by prospective buyers evaluating sites.
• Site and Development Feasibility Analysis of development opportunities including planning strategy, site constraints, and commercial viability for prospective build or development projects.
• Spatial Consultations Expert guidance on space planning, interior layout optimisation, and functional design solutions for residential and small commercial clients.
• First Consultation - Inside M50 One-hour on-site initial consultation for properties within the Dublin M50, priced at €245 incl. VAT, deductible from future fees (excluding Bright Concepts Package). Mandatory starting point for full architectural engagement.
• First Consultation - Outside M50 One-hour on-site initial consultation for properties up to 20km outside Dublin M50, priced at €295 incl. VAT, deductible from future fees (excluding Bright Concepts Package).
• Bright Concepts Package - Small Pre-packaged concept design service for renovations and extensions under 55sqm, priced from €2,700. Includes site meeting, measured survey, two design options, and one client meeting.
• Bright Concepts Package - Medium Pre-packaged concept design service for renovations and extensions between 56–90sqm, priced from €3,750. Includes site meeting, measured survey, two design options, and one client meeting.
• Bright Concepts Package - Large Pre-packaged concept design service for renovations and extensions between 91–120sqm, priced from €4,450. Includes site meeting, measured survey, two design options, and one client meeting. Additional options €250 incl. VAT per option.
• Gift Card Gift vouchers for a 1-hour consultation with a Bright Design Architects director, priced at €245 (inside M50) or €295 (outside M50), enabling third-party purchase of consultation services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cliven Farm renovation completed and featured nationally - described as 'a beautiful home that stops traffic'
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JSD ContractingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 5 October 2023Main contractor for St Colmcilles Community School Sports and Arts Complex extension. Managed construction completed in September 2023.
• The Glasshouses (Chad Gilmer)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2023Serviced office company in Dun Laoghaire. Referenced in Irish Times article on working from home as example of co-working alternatives.
• Linear Office ContractingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 September 2021General contractor for Glasshouse 2 co-working space project in Dun Laoghaire. Executed the construction of the fit-out designed by Bright Design Architects.
• Robert BarrycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2021Structural engineering services for Glasshouse 2 project. Provided structural design and engineering calculations for the co-working space fit-out.
• Proteus Consulting EngineerscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2021Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) engineering services for Glasshouse 2 project. Provided MEP design and specifications.
• Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Energy AdvisorscoreOthersClose working relationships with engineers, quantity surveyors, energy advisors and other consultants who advise as required on various projects.
• Felicity FoxminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReal estate agent who listed 57 Patrician Villas property remodelled by Bright Design Architects, seeking €575,000.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bucholz McEvoy Architects: Award-winning Irish practice with strong sustainability and rural-residential credentials. Comparable to Bright Design on environmentally-conscious residential design and on heritage-sensitive rural projects such as Cliven Farm.
• Scott Tallon Walker Architects: One of Ireland's largest and longest-established architectural practices with deep healthcare, education, and commercial portfolios. A broader incumbent that competes with Bright Design on institutional and commercial briefs while operating at far greater scale.
• McCullough Mulvin Architects: Established Dublin-based practice with a strong reputation in cultural, educational, and urban regeneration projects. Overlaps with Bright Design on community/educational work such as St Colmcilles-style civic commissions.
• O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects: Internationally acclaimed Dublin practice with landmark cultural, educational, and residential work. Represents the upper bound of Irish residential and institutional design prestige, competing with Bright Design for top-tier briefs.
• Henry J Lyons Architects: Large multi-disciplinary Irish architectural practice covering residential, commercial, healthcare, and data centre sectors. Represents a scaled incumbent competing for the larger commercial and institutional briefs Bright Design also targets.
• Murray O'Laoire Architects: Long-established Irish architectural practice with broad national coverage including residential, educational, and commercial work. Competes with Bright Design for institutional and larger residential commissions across Ireland.
• de Blacam and Meagher Architects: Highly regarded Irish practice known for civic, cultural, and high-end residential projects. Comparable to Bright Design on design quality and craft but operates at a larger scale with international recognition.

Others

• Linear Office Contracting: Dublin-based general contractor that delivered the Glasshouse 2 co-working fit-out designed by Bright Design Architects. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, but representative of the contractor network Bright Design relies on to execute projects.
• Felicity Fox: Dublin residential real estate agency that has listed Bright Design-remodelled properties such as 57 Patrician Villas. An ecosystem partner representing the buyer-side channel that funnels renovation-ready properties to the practice.

Direct peers

• Douglas Wallace Architects: Ireland-based architectural practice with a comparable mix of high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial projects. Similar mid-sized Dublin footprint and premium positioning make it the closest direct comparable to Bright Design Architects.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLxKYh4eP1q4Ku2syHE5vBw
• Instagraminstagram.com/squarespace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bright-design-architects

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bright Design Architects