I design homes for families, and I know what it takes to build one.
I'm Kristian Mitchell, an architect based in Derry. For more than 25 years I've helped families across Northern Ireland and Donegal build one-off houses, replace old homeplaces and rework houses that no longer fit.
How i got here.
I’ve spent more than 25 years working in architecture, bringing together design, planning and the practical detail of how buildings go together. My approach is straightforward: understand the people who will live in the house, then work through the possibilities with them. Through my own practice, I help homeowners across Northern Ireland and Donegal build new homes and make more of the homes they already have. You work directly with me, with time to talk through your ideas and get clear advice as the design develops.
What changing my own home taught me.
I’m a father, and I’ve extended my own home twice. I understand how personal these decisions become when it’s your house and your family’s money you’re spending. For me, the real value of a design is in everyday life: having room to cook together, somewhere to sit quietly, or space for the children as they grow. Those are the things I want to understand about your home before we start drawing. The aim is to create somewhere you enjoy living, with changes that make sense for your family.
Going through it myself confirmed something I'd seen on other people's projects for years. The drawings are rarely the hard part. The hard part is making big decisions with incomplete information while family life carries on around you. That's the part I try to make easier
What 25 years has taught me.
Start with how you live. Before I draw anything, I want to know how your mornings run, where homework happens, who visits and what you'll need in twenty years.
Design to your budget from day one. A house you can afford to build and finish properly will serve you better than a bigger one that gets cut back on site.
Draw it the way it will be built. I think about how every part goes together, so builders can price it accurately and the build runs smoothly.
Design for the long run. A good home gets better the longer you live in it.
One architect for both sides of the border.
I'm registered as an architect in the UK (ARB, RIBA) and in Ireland (RIAI), and I'm a registered Assigned Certifier for projects in the Republic.
Planning works differently in Derry and in Donegal, even a few miles apart. Working under both systems means you get one person who understands the rules for your site, wherever it is, and can see the whole project through.
What working together is like.
You'll always know what's happening next and what it costs. I'll explain things in plain English, tell you honestly when something won't work, and suggest what would. Two things come up again and again in client reviews: costs explained upfront, and a process that felt less stressful than they expected.
“No hidden extras. Everything upfront and got us over the line with planning”.
“Nothing has been too much trouble, he explains every step of the process and he has helped take the stress out of what felt like an overwhelming task”.
If that sounds like the help you're looking for, the first step is a free 15 minute call.