Architects in the Algarve, from first sketch to licence.
Design, planning and licensing for new builds, extensions and restorations — by an in-house architecture team that works alongside our own builders.
Design that knows how it will be built.
In the Algarve, a good design is only half the work. Every project has to pass through municipal planning rules, land classifications and specialist approvals before a spade goes in the ground — and the decisions made at the drawing board set the cost of everything that follows.
Our architecture team designs with our construction team in the room. That means drawings that can be built to budget, licensing applications prepared properly the first time, and a single point of accountability from the first feasibility study to the finished home.
What our architects do.
Whether you have a plot, a ruin or a home that needs more space.
Feasibility studies
What can be built on a plot or property, and what it is likely to cost — ideally before you buy.
New-build villas
Contemporary and traditional homes designed around the site, the light and the way you live.
Restoration & reconstruction
Bringing older Algarve properties and ruins back to life, within the rules that protect them.
Extensions & remodelling
More space, better flow and new outdoor living for an existing home.
Planning & licensing
Preparing and following the licensing process with the municipality and the specialist bodies.
Specialist projects
Coordination of structural, electrical, plumbing, thermal and acoustic projects into one package.
From idea to approval.
Feasibility
Site visit, planning rules and a realistic view of what is possible.
Design
Concept and detailed design, developed with you and costed by our builders.
Licensing
Architecture and specialist projects submitted and followed through approval.
Build
Handover to our construction team, with the architects involved to the end.
Where we work.
- Golden Triangle
- Vilamoura
- Carvoeiro
- Ferragudo
- Portimão
- Alvor
- Lagos
Our architects design and license projects across the Golden Triangle, Vilamoura, Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Portimão, Alvor and Lagos — and know the planning character of each, from coastal villas to traditional town houses.
Questions clients ask.
General answers to get you started. Every property and every project is different — we will always give you specifics for yours.
Do I need an architect to build or renovate in Portugal?
For most new builds, extensions and significant alterations, yes. Licensing applications to the municipality must include an architecture project signed by a qualified architect, together with the relevant specialist engineering projects.
How long does planning and licensing take in the Algarve?
It varies widely with the municipality, the type of project and the land it sits on. After reviewing your site we give you a realistic timeline, and we prepare the application carefully to avoid the delays that come from incomplete submissions.
Can I build on any plot of land?
No. What can be built depends on how the land is classified and the local planning rules. Rural land, and land within protected reserves such as RAN and REN, can be heavily restricted. That is why we recommend a feasibility study before you buy — see our land investment approach.
Can you restore a ruin or an old property?
Often, yes — but it depends on the property’s legal and licensing history and on the rules for its location. We assess this first, then design a restoration that respects the original while giving you a home that works today.
Also from the group.
Investment in the Algarve
Land, property, commercial, off-plan and agricultural investment — sourced and structured with full due diligence.
Find out more→Real estate in the Algarve
Villas, apartments, plots and restoration projects, found on and off the market and bought on the fundamentals.
Find out more→Construction & renovation
New builds, extensions and full renovations, delivered by one team from groundworks to handover.
Find out more→Have a plot, a ruin or a plan?
Send us the location and a few lines about what you have in mind. We will tell you honestly what is possible, and how we would approach it.
Arrange a consultation