Creating Homes, Not Institutions

Navigating Building Regulations or Ofsted compliance shouldn’t compromise the feel of the home. Our expertise has led to over 50 children's homes being granted planning approvals.

Our Case Studies

Creating Homes, Not Institutions

Navigating Building Regulations or Ofsted compliance shouldn’t compromise the feel of the home. Our expertise has led to over 50 children’s homes being granted planning approvals.

Our Case Studies

Leadership & Specialized Expertise

We combine architectural expertise with specialist knowledge of UK children’s homes planning and building regulations, with a genuine commitment to creating beautiful, nurturing environments where children and young people can thrive.

Smrithi Chandran

Smrithi Chandran

FOUNDING PARTNER

FOUNDING PARTNER

Smrithi combines specialist knowledge of planning policy and case law for children’s homes with a genuine passion for their social impact. She understands the important role a well-designed home can play in a child’s development and is committed to creating environments that support every child to feel safe, settled and able to realise their potential.

Jonathon Hughes

Jonathon Hughes

FOUNDING PARTNER

FOUNDING PARTNER

Jonathon brings a creative and thoughtful approach to the design of children’s homes, always looking beyond the basic requirements to find opportunities to make a meaningful difference. He focuses on the small but important design moves that can transform how a home feels and functions — from encouraging positive social interaction to creating quiet spaces and private nooks where children can feel comfortable and secure.

Helen Tracey

LEAD ARCHITECT

LEAD ARCHITECT

Helen combines a deep understanding of UK Building Regulations and technical design with a thoughtful approach to creating spaces that genuinely feel like home. She works closely with Building Control to ensure every aspect of a children’s home meets the necessary requirements, while using her interior design expertise to create warm, welcoming and nurturing environments.

Henry Cheng

ARB Architect & Digital Artist

Henry combines his design and research experience with a strong understanding of planning policy and case law to build compelling, evidence-based arguments for planning applications. He researches local need, children’s homes data and relevant planning decisions to help clients understand their options and identify the strongest route towards a successful outcome.

John Restrepo

FOUNDING PARTNER

FOUNDING PARTNER

John specialises in the research and preparation of the documents that underpin strong planning submissions. He draws on planning policy, local context and relevant case law to build clear, well-evidenced arguments for why a property is suitable for use as a children’s home, always taking a thorough and proactive approach to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.

Steve Putt

FOUNDING PARTNER

FOUNDING PARTNER

Steve brings a meticulous and research-led approach to planning submissions, ensuring each application is supported by clear, relevant and well-considered evidence. He specialises in researching planning policy, local context and case law to help demonstrate the suitability of a property as a children’s home, always looking for ways to strengthen the application and support the best possible outcome for our clients.

Our Approach

Our Approach

Our methodical approach ensures every project achieves building regulations approval without sacrificing on the quality of the spaces.

Transparent Communication

We believe in honest, transparent advice from the outset. If we identify that a property or location is unlikely to achieve planning approval as a children's home, we will tell you. Our commitment is not simply to progress projects, but to help you make informed decisions and invest in opportunities with genuine potential.

We believe in honest, transparent advice from the outset. If we identify that a property or location is unlikely to achieve planning approval as a children’s home, we will tell you. Our commitment is not simply to progress projects, but to help you make informed decisions and invest in opportunities with genuine potential.

Proactive Risk Mitigation

Planning approval is never guaranteed. We identify risks early on, allowing you to make informed decisions on how to proceed.

Designed around the Children

Every design decision starts with the children. We create beautiful, nurturing spaces that support well-being, independence and a true sense of belonging.

Collaborative Engagement.

Setting up a successful children's home requires the right team around you. We specialise in creating beautiful, child-centred environments while working collaboratively with care professionals, consultants and operational specialists to support the wider journey. We believe the best outcomes are achieved through collaboration - bringing together the right expertise, understanding local need and designing homes where children can feel at home.

Setting up a successful children’s home requires the right team around you. We specialise in creating beautiful, child-centred environments while working collaboratively with care professionals, consultants and operational specialists to support the wider journey. We believe the best outcomes are achieved through collaboration - bringing together the right expertise, understanding local need and designing homes where children can feel at home.

Transparent Communication

We believe in honest, transparent advice from the outset. If we identify that a property or location is unlikely to achieve planning approval as a children’s home, we will tell you. Our commitment is not simply to progress projects, but to help you make informed decisions and invest in opportunities with genuine potential.

Designed around the Children

Every design decision starts with the children. We create beautiful, nurturing spaces that support well-being, independence and a true sense of belonging.

Proactive Risk Mitigation

Planning approval is never guaranteed. We identify risks early on, allowing you to make informed decisions on how to proceed.

Collaborative Engagement.

Setting up a successful children’s home requires the right team around you. We specialise in creating beautiful, child-centred environments while working collaboratively with care professionals, consultants and operational specialists to support the wider journey. We believe the best outcomes are achieved through collaboration - bringing together the right expertise, understanding local need and designing homes where children can feel at home.

Our Mission

Our Mission

Our objective is clear: to raise the standard of children's homes across the UK, one thoughtfully designed home at a time. A children's home is more than a building. It is where a young person wakes up, returns to after school, builds relationships and creates memories.


Our objective is clear: to raise the standard of children’s homes across the UK, one thoughtfully designed home at a time.

A children’s home is more than a building. It is where a young person wakes up, returns to after school, builds relationships and creates memories.


While planning, Building Regulations and Ofsted requirements provide an important foundation, they do not define what makes a great home.

We believe children deserve homes that go beyond compliance - spaces that are beautiful, nurturing and designed around their wellbeing.

Raise the standard of children's homes

Raise the standard of children’s homes

Deliver exceptional quality homes

Show you what's possible

Show you what’s possible

CHILDREN'S HOME

CHILDREN’S HOME

Purposeful Architecture for Children's Homes

Purposeful Architecture for Children’s Homes

Purposeful Architecture for Children’s Homes

Specialist design services dedicated to creating nurturing environments for children, fully aligned with UK Planning and Building Regulations.

© 2026 All Rights Reserved. Chandran Hughes Architects Ltd. Company Registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 12284699. RIBA Chartered Practice.

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