Services

Tailored Residential Architecture & Project Delivery in Edinburgh

At MDA Studio, we provide bespoke, client-focused architectural services for homeowners across Edinburgh, the Lothians, and Central Scotland. With over 20 years of experience and 500+ completed projects, we specialise in house extensions, home refurbishments, renovations, and new builds.

Whether you’re planning a loft conversion, a kitchen extension, or a full redevelopment, we deliver clarity, creativity, and expert project management from start to finish.

Custom Design Solutions

We believe every home is unique. That’s why all of our designs are tailored to your lifestyle, needs, and budget. Whether you want to modernise your living space or add value through a thoughtful extension, we design solutions that enhance how you live.

Experienced & Proven

We have a deep understanding of planning policy in Edinburgh, including experience with listed buildings, conservation areas, and building warrant approvals. Our local knowledge ensures your proposal is well-informed and more likely to succeed.

Project Management & Control

We don’t just design — We work closely with quantity surveyors to provide clear cost estimates before detailed design work begins. This avoids costly redesigns and ensures your ideas stay financially realistic from the start.

Sustainable & Energy-Efficient Design

We are committed to responsible, future-facing architecture. Our designs incorporate eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, and low-carbon construction methods wherever possible. Whether you’re looking for a low-energy extension or a highly sustainable new build, we can guide you through the right options.

A Trusted Network of Specialists

We collaborate with a trusted team of consultants — structural engineers, landscape designers, interior designers, and quantity surveyors — to offer a seamless, joined-up service. These are people we’ve worked with many times before, which means smoother coordination and fewer surprises for you.

Quality Contractors & Tendering Support

We maintain a list of trusted, high-quality contractors who can help bring your project to life. We can assist in tendering, reviewing quotes, and advising on the best fit for your job — helping ensure build quality, programme, and cost control are all aligned.

Transparent, Fixed Fees

Our fee structure is simple and transparent. We work on a fixed-fee basis, not a percentage of construction cost. Fees are broken down by RIBA work stages — from measured surveys and feasibility through planning, listed building consent, building warrant approval, tender, construction, and handover — so you always know where you stand.

Budget Confidence from the Start

Working closely with quantity surveyors, we offer early-stage cost planning to make sure your design is aligned with your budget — before committing to planning or construction drawings. This helps avoid costly redesigns and keeps your project financially realistic.

Local Knowledge & Planning Expertise

With over two decades of experience working in Edinburgh, we have strong relationships with local authorities and a deep understanding of planning policy, conservation areas, and listed building requirements. We’re proud of our record in securing approvals efficiently and effectively.

Flexible Services to Suit You

We understand that every client is different. That’s why we offer a flexible service structure — whether you want full support from concept to completion, or just need help getting through planning and building warrant. We can tailor our involvement to suit your project and your level of comfort.