Self Build Architects
At Matson Mourier, we help clients create unique, carefully considered homes that reflect their way of living. As self build architects based near Edinburgh and working across the UK, we support homeowners from early concept through detailed design, ensuring your new home is both inspiring and practical.
Whether you’re starting with a rural plot, an infill site or replacing an existing building, we guide you through the design process with clarity, creativity and a strong understanding of both planning and construction. Our aim is always the same: to create a home tailored to you, grounded in context, and built for the long term.
What We Design
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![Front view of a modern two-story house with a brick and stucco facade, large windows, and landscaped front yard with a pathway. Two people walk towards the entrance.]()
One-Off New Homes
Unique homes shaped entirely around your lifestyle, site and architectural preferences.
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![View of a stone house with large glass sliding doors and outdoor patio with potted plants and a tree]()
Replacement Dwellings
Replacing outdated or unsuitable buildings with a modern, efficient home that makes better use of the site.
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![A large modern building with stone and wood exterior, a gravel driveway, small patches of grass, and a partly cloudy sky.]()
Rural & Edge-of-Town Plots
Designs that respond sensitively to landscape, topography and local character.
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![Modern glass-side extension of a house with an open sliding door, showing a bedroom with a bed and seating area inside, a patio with outdoor dining, and a well-maintained lawn outside.]()
Urban Infill & Garden Plots
Compact, cleverly planned homes that maximise tight sites while respecting neighbours and context.
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![A backyard with a well-maintained lawn, a wooden deck with outdoor furniture, a modern two-story house with stone and wood siding, and a partly cloudy sky with the sun shining brightly.]()
Low-Energy & Sustainable Homes
Designs that prioritise thermal performance, long-term sustainability and comfort.
Why Choose a Self Build?
A self build offers the freedom to shape your home exactly as you need it, from layout and materials to energy performance and architectural style. Many clients choose this route to achieve a higher quality of space, better environmental standards or a layout that suits the realities of modern family life.
A well-designed self build can also deliver long-term value, improved comfort and lower running costs. We work with you to translate your aspirations into a design that feels personal, unique and beautifully resolved.
Our Approach to Self Build Design
Every project begins with understanding your brief — how you live, what you value in a home, and the character you want to achieve. We then explore site opportunities such as views, orientation, natural light and local vernacular, shaping a design that feels rooted in its setting.
Our architects guide you through feasibility studies, concept development, planning requirements, building warrant drawings and technical design. We consider energy strategy from the outset, exploring options such as high-performance fabric, low-carbon systems and sustainable materials where appropriate.
Throughout the process we maintain a collaborative, transparent approach, helping you make informed decisions at each stage.
Planning & Regulations
Self build projects often require a careful response to local policy, landscape considerations and site-specific constraints. We help you navigate this with clear advice on what permissions are likely to be required and what information is needed at each stage.
We prepare all design drawings and submissions and ensure proposals respond thoughtfully to relevant planning guidance. While planning approval always remains the decision of the local authority, we support you in presenting a coherent, well-reasoned design grounded in context.
For building warrant and construction stages, we produce detailed technical information and coordinate with other consultants as needed.
View Our Residential Portfolio
Discover how our residential architects in Edinburgh and across Scotland bring ideas to life through luxury new builds, self build homes, refined refurbishments, and bespoke extensions.
Start Your Self Build Project With Us.
If you're beginning to plan your self build home, we’d be delighted to help explore the possibilities. From initial site assessments to full architectural design, Matson Mourier can guide you through each stage with clarity and creativity.