We are
Franklin Ellis Architects
Franklin Ellis Architects are an Employee-Owned Trust, established in 1993 by David Franklin and Andrew Ellis. The practice now employs over 30 talented architects, designers and technologists, led by Managing Director Matthew Branton. We provide award-winning architectural and design services from our offices in Nottingham and Leicester, delivering projects to all major development sectors within the East Midlands, and across the UK.
We design and deliver built spaces that make a positive contribution to their local communities. Our clients are our priority, and we aim to create a vision that fulfils our shared values. Our success is built around long-term partnerships and our ambition to explore new possibilities. We deliver collaborative designs and modern technical solutions that help shape the future through an exemplary level of service; delivered on time, fit for purpose and to the highest standards, turning the client’s vision into reality.
We provide a range of specialist services for our vast client base with an emphasis on design. Our internal collaborative approach between different specialists allows us to deliver projects that excite our clients.
We provide a range of specialist services for our vast client base with an emphasis on design. Our internal collaborative approach between different specialists allows us to deliver projects that excite our clients.
We pride ourselves on the quality of service we can deliver. With our loyal team of passionate, experienced and diversely talented designers, we have a uniquely developed design process and a cutting-edge technological ability.
We understand the important balance between design innovation and technical compliance and this is addressed within our design process. Our creative thinking applies to all levels of design from the initial concept through to the smallest technical detail.
Be it design, procurement or project management, we ensure that we identify the main objectives of a project and help to achieve them. We pride ourselves on being both pro-active in pre-empting obstacles and risks, and responsive in resolving issues as they arise. A flexible approach to design at all stages of a project and a willingness to explore new possibilities are core values at Franklin Ellis.
We pride ourselves on the quality of service we can deliver. With our loyal team of passionate, experienced and diversely talented designers, we have a uniquely developed design process and a cutting-edge technological ability.
We understand the important balance between design innovation and technical compliance and this is addressed within our design process. Our creative thinking applies to all levels of design from the initial concept through to the smallest technical detail.
Be it design, procurement or project management, we ensure that we identify the main objectives of a project and help to achieve them. We pride ourselves on being both pro-active in pre-empting obstacles and risks, and responsive in resolving issues as they arise. A flexible approach to design at all stages of a project and a willingness to explore new possibilities are core values at Franklin Ellis.
Design is at the heart of every project that we work on. We listen to our clients and ensure that their vision is brought to life through our detailed and extensive designs.
Design is at the heart of every project that we work on. We listen to our clients and ensure that their vision is brought to life through our detailed and extensive designs.
The service we offer is focused on ensuring that our design work and professional advice adds value to all aspects of each project.
Creative people are of the essence of Franklin Ellis. We have an experienced and dedicated workforce who work with passion to design and meet the highest of expectations, and ensure projects are delivered successfully.
Over the years Franklin Ellis have been presented with numerous awards for design excellence, sustainability, regeneration, build quality and historic restoration.
Franklin Ellis have been awarded ISO 9001 accreditation, which recognises our determination to continually improve the consistency and efficiency of our processes.
By implementing the Quality Management System, our aim is to meet all applicable requirements and make continual improvements, based on well-defined and monitored systems and procedures and effective internal review processes. Our processes and procedures are subject to regular review to ensure their continued suitability, performance, and effectiveness. We undertake to ensure that sufficient resources are made available within the company to achieve this.
All new staff are provided with comprehensive training and guidance until they are experienced in using FEA’s Quality Management system.
Franklin Ellis have been awarded ISO 14001 accreditation, which recognises our commitment to developing and maintaining environmentally conscious practices.
As an organisation, we advocate for hybrid working, allowing staff to work both from home and the office as appropriate, with an aim of reducing unnecessary travel. We also support staff in cycling to work, providing secure cycle storage, showers and lockers. We encourage efficient use of heating, lighting, equipment, materials and resources including water, electricity, raw materials and other resources, particularly those that are non-renewable.
FEA believes in the application of sustainable principles in planning and construction, in social and environmental terms, through strategic advice, design and specification. We aim to achieve optimum solutions for our clients and end users.
We aim to communicate our environmental commitment to clients and encourage their support while raising awareness of sustainability and environmental protection. We ensure that, where possible, building projects are supported by a travel plan that promotes sustainable travel choices through public transport and cycling provision. Sites are assessed for their ecological value and microclimate; to ensure buildings make best use of the natural features of the site including sun, wind and landscape and biodiversity is protected or enhanced.
We operate a ‘right-first-time’ culture for our production information, to avoid wasteful site reworking and consider efficient use of construction materials, specifying materials and components with the optimum balance between environmental impact and performance in use. We collaborate with other consultants, to ensure that building services are inherently efficient and controllable and confirm that buildings are commissioned fully before handover.
Franklin Ellis are ISO 19650 certified by the BRE. We have fully embraced BIM and have several years experience working on ISO 19650 project workflows.
We model all projects from the smallest ‘lonely BIM’ scheme, to multi-million pound developments working to ISO19650 workflows. All architectural staff are BIM trained which gives us a broad capacity when approaching new projects. We are capable of acting as Lead Designer on BIM projects and taking the role of Model Manager or Information Manager as appropriate. We have our own BEP templates or can collaborate on other formats. We are experienced in producing COBie and IFC data on large projects.
Software & Platforms
Our primary design application is Autodesk Revit and all models are hosted on Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) [formerly BIM360]. We use the ACC Design Collaboration and Model Coordination modules to collaborate with other consultants on our models. All of our projects have an integrated NBS Chorus (Uniclass) specification directly connected to the Revit model.
We use Enscape, TwinMotion and Lumion software for walkthroughs and presentations, and 3DS Max for photo-real rendering. We have an internal PIM (Project Information Management) system and an internal DMS (Document management System) using Deltek PIM. We are also experienced at working on 3rd party CDEs, such as Viewpoint 4 Projects.
Information Management: CDE hosting and management, BEP authoring and project set up, including LOD and DRM, tables, TIDP templates, hosting and chairing model meetings, BIM capability assessments, defining and managing exchange processes.