What Delve Architects does

Delve Architects is a London-based, RIBA-registered architectural practice operating as a private limited company in England and Wales (company number 11131408). It was cofounded by Edward Martin and Alex Raher, who serve as Directors, and delivers architectural services across two primary verticals: residential (homeowners seeking extensions, renovations, period property refurbishments, and deep retrofits) and education (nurseries, schools, and SEND institutions requiring new builds, conversions, or refurbishments). The firm has built a particularly concentrated body of work in the nursery and early-years segment, with multiple projects for repeat operators such as Grandir UK (North Star Nursery), and also delivers community-focused work such as the Whippet Good public bench (LFA Award 2019) and the Wythall Transport Museum social history centre.

The practice works through a traditional architectural design process combining hand sketches, mood boards, 2D and 3D computer software, and physical models, with stated emphasis on sustainable retrofit and adaptive reuse over new build. It does not operate API, SDK, or platform products; its underlying technology is craft-based design supported by standard industry tools. The practice is supported by a wider ecosystem of implementation partners covering structural engineering (Blue Engineering), party wall surveying (Steven Vaughan Associates), bespoke joinery (CAB Workshop), and landscape architecture (Heard Landscapes), and has also handed off or received projects in collaboration with Nimtim Architects. Materials focus includes sustainable construction methods such as reclaimed brickwork and natural materials, with bespoke elements such as red grandis (sustainably sourced timber) joinery.

The business model is professional services: revenue is generated through project-based, scope-tailored architectural fees spanning initial sketches through to construction oversight, with multi-year contracts typical. The go-to-market is direct-to-client within the UK, combining inbound enquiries, referrals, content marketing via the Delve Stories blog, organic social presence (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook), and architectural competition participation. The firm operates from a London headquarters in the Leather Market, Weston Street, with secondary offices in Godalming (Surrey) and Hove (Brighton), and is currently run by a team of approximately 14 people including directors, qualified architects, project architects, designers, and Part 1/2 trainees.

Name

Delve Architects

Legal name

Delve Architects

Website

https://delvearchitects.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Delve Architects is a London-based, RIBA-registered architectural practice that designs residential renovations and education facilities, with a particular focus on nurseries and early-years projects across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Residential Remodelers (236118)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), Load-Bearing Wall Removal & Structural Beam Installation (HSAPAFAB)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Residential architecture
• Education architecture
• Nursery design
• Sustainable retrofit

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: One-time professional services fees for architectural design projects including residential renovations, extensions, educational facilities, and community projects. Projects span from initial sketches through to construction oversight.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Delve Architects is a London-based RIBA-registered architectural practice delivering full-service architectural design for residential and education sector clients. Projects span house extensions, period property renovations, new builds, nurseries, schools, and community facilities, covering initial concept sketches through to construction administration and oversight.

Product overview

Delve Architects is an architecture and design practice that operates as a single, unified service offering rather than a platform with separate products. The company provides architectural design services specializing in residential and education sectors, with particular expertise in nursery and early years education facility design. Their portfolio spans house extensions and renovations, new-build homes, nursery and school design, and community projects. The practice offers end-to-end architectural services from initial concept through to project completion, working with both private clients and commercial organisations such as nursery operators and schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Full-service architectural design covering residential and education sectors, from initial concept sketches through to project completion, including space planning, material selection, and construction administration.
• Residential Architecture Specialist residential design services including house extensions, renovations, conversions, and new-build homes. Projects range from Victorian terrace retrofits to contemporary new builds, with emphasis on sustainable materials and thoughtful spatial design.
• Education Architecture Design services for educational facilities including nurseries, schools, and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) institutions. Projects focus on child-centric design, creating inspiring learning environments from a child's perspective.
• Nursery Design Specialist nursery design services including conversion of commercial spaces into childcare facilities, new-build nurseries, and intergenerational care village nurseries. Projects include The Nest Nursery, Parsons Green Nursery, and Happy Journeys Nursery.
• Community Architecture Community-focused design projects including public art installations, social history centres, and public realm improvements. Notable projects include Whippet Good public bench and Loop Fruits installation for London Festival of Architecture.

Quantifiable outcome

• RIBA South Small Project of the Year 2016 for The Little Hall project
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blue EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStructural engineering collaborators working with Delve on projects. Clive Goadby, Technical Lead, describes Ed and Alex as having 'thoughtful, creative and inquisitive approach to design which gives clients what they want and more.' Blue Engineering helps with structural solutions to bring Delve's designs to life.
• Steven Vaughan AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerParty wall surveying consultancy. Steven Vaughan provides party wall survey services for Delve's extension and refurbishment projects, helping navigate the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 requirements for clients undertaking work in England and Wales.
• Nimtim ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice that worked on AT Residence project (Station Road extensions in Godalming) to RIBA Stage 3 before Delve Architects continued through pre-construction and construction.
• CAB WorkshopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Delve on AT Residence project, providing bespoke doors and windows crafted in red grandis - a sustainably sourced timber.
• Heard LandscapesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture practice that designed wild play gardens for North Star Nursery project.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nimtim Architects: London-based small architectural practice of comparable size, focused on sustainable residential extensions and refurbishments. Directly comparable to Delve on scale, service mix, and South East client base — and is a documented project collaborator.
• dMFK Architects: London residential architecture practice working on high-end private homes, extensions and refurbishments across the capital. Comparable in service mix, location, and design-led residential positioning to Delve.
• Adam Architecture: UK-based residential architecture practice with classic and contemporary period property expertise. Directly comparable on residential extension/renovation focus, RIBA-aligned brand positioning, and premium UK homeowner clientele.
• Phil Coffey Architects: London practice specialising in high-quality residential and education projects with a strong sustainability and adaptive-reuse ethos. Closely comparable niche, award-winning portfolio, and similar South East geographic focus.
• Tonkin Liu: London architecture practice with an award-winning portfolio spanning residential, cultural and small-scale community work. Comparable on design-led, award-winning positioning and a mix of residential and community commissions in the UK.
• Cullinan Studio: UK practice known for sustainable design across education, cultural and community sectors. Comparable on sustainability-led retrofit specialism and education-sector portfolio, with overlapping client types such as schools and charities.
• Proctor and Matthews Architects: UK practice with strong residential and education portfolios focused on contextual and sustainable design. Closely comparable on cross-sector residential/education focus and similar client mix of schools and homeowners.

Broad incumbents

• AOC Architects: Established London practice with significant education (school and university) and residential work. Direct overlap on education-sector architecture but operating at broader scale with a wider client roster.
• Haworth Tompkins: Larger London practice with a longstanding reputation in education, theatre and residential work. Overlaps with Delve on London education-sector commissions but at materially greater scale and a wider service portfolio.
• Allies and Morrison: Major London architecture practice with broad residential, education and masterplanning work. Tangentially comparable as an aspirational incumbent for residential/education clients and award-recognition peers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/delvearchitects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/delve-architects
• Instagraminstagram.com/delvearchitects

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Delve Architects