We believe great buildings and spaces are created through collaboration with all stakeholders at all stages of a project. All of our work and efforts are directed at producing buildings and environments that client, user and society as a whole can enjoy and be proud of. We believe in architecture which encourages people to appreciate the experience of being in and using buildings. Concentrating on the physical and emotional ways people inhabit spaces, we produce architecture of lasting quality and true meaning.

Sustainability and cost-efficiency are key elements in the pursuit of meaningful architecture.

As a practice we are aware of our responsibility to ensure buildings and their surroundings are designed and constructed in the most sustainable manner possible.

We value the achievement of optimum expenditure on a project based on the agreed brief and budget drawn up between a client and ourselves. We do this by ensuring the efficient allocation of a budget so that so that a project can be as community focused, sustainable, durable, attractive and cost efficient in use as it possibly can be. We are rigorous in our pursuit of large scale design and life-cycle efficiencies.

van Dijk Architects provides a development advisory service to clients which includes financial appraisals. Such appraisals include both traditional Nett Present Value / Residual Value assessments and full cash flow analysis should it be required. All our financial appraisals include full sensitivity analysis to show the effect of potential upside and downside risks.

Our integrated service allows us to test potentially different uses or approaches to the development of a site against their financial return in a seamless way. The ability to carry out financial appraisals also assists the practice in our public private partnership bids with main contractors.

Contractors we work with often end up becoming clients of ours on future design and build projects because in the day to day operation of their sites they value that our buildings have a Design for Construction approach. We have extensive design and build experience working with a number of leading construction firms to realise projects.

We add value to our solutions by implementing a best practice approach to urban design that prioritises human beings over cars in the design of public space and urban environments. We are promoters of socially inclusive designs that are low maintenance and durable.

At Van Dijk Architects, community engagement and stakeholder consultation are central to the way we work. From the earliest stages of a project, we involve clients, end users, community groups, local authorities, and specialist consultants in a meaningful process of dialogue. We believe that listening is as important as designing, and by carefully understanding the needs, aspirations, and concerns of each stakeholder, we create buildings and spaces that are firmly rooted in their context, more sustainable, and more likely to stand the test of time.

Our approach combines structure with flexibility. We begin by identifying and meeting with stakeholders to understand their priorities and perspectives. Through workshops, surveys, collaborative design sessions, and ongoing feedback, we test ideas and ensure transparency at every stage of the design process. This open and inclusive way of working nurtures trust and a shared sense of ownership, resulting in places that are accessible, welcoming, and responsive to the people who will use them. For Van Dijk Architects, stakeholder consultation is not only about improving design outcomes but also about strengthening community identity and well-being.