At Cox Martin Design we are:
Approachable ~Passionate ~Enquiring ~ Responsive ~ Ethical ~ Transparent
Led by Caroline Martin, an award-winning Architect & Interior Designer, Cox Martin Design are a design led architectural practice based in Dorset & Wiltshire. Working predominantly in 2 sectors - homes/housing & care homes/community buildings, we combine our architectural and interior design skills, to create well designed, efficient, beautiful buildings that meet the ambitions and needs of our clients.
We are honest & open and keep our clients informed throughout. We are able to extend, refurbish or design from scratch.
If you have a project in mind why not talk to us about it?
Our approach
At Cox Martin Design all our projects are bespoke and unique to the site and the client.
We take time to listen and work closely with our clients, ensuring each design responds thoughtfully to its context. Context that goes beyond the physical site to include what matters to our clients and the wider community, culture, environment, materials, technology, and budget.
It is not a fixed formula, and we don’t have a 'house style’, instead it’s a creative and adaptive approach that draws on past knowledge and experience. Equally happy working on contemporary or traditional designs, new build, or conversions we can take your project from a hand drawn sketch to completion on site.
We have a great track record of achieving Planning permissions for our client, and our service can be tailored to meet your needs.
Our services
coffee & a chat
Full Design & Planning Service
Full Design & Planning Service
At this free "getting to know you" meeting we'll discuss your ambitions for your site and look at whether Cox Martin Design could be a good fit for you and your project. The meeting can either be in person in Shaftebury or Westbury, or 'virtually' if thats easier.
Full Design & Planning Service
Full Design & Planning Service
Full Design & Planning Service
Whether you're looking to create your dream home (or homes), or extend or refurbish a Care home or Community building, our experienced team can help. We can navigate the design & planning process to go from initial concepts to completion on site, with our full design & planning service, which can be tailored to your needs.
Architects Consultation
Full Design & Planning Service
Principle of Planning Service
If you have an idea of what you want but aren't sure if it's possible (or you want some initial ideas), an Architects Consultation with us could make things clearer for you. We will consider planning policy, budget costs, build-ability & environmental issues as a starter.
Principle of Planning Service
Principle of Planning Service
If you have an idea you’d like to explore, but aren’t sure whether in principle it would get Planning approval, this could be a good inital route for you. If so read on.
Design Feasibility Service
If you have a more detailed idea of want you want (or you want to get to that point), and you want to get feedback from the Planners on a sketch scheme for your site, this could be the service for you.
Dementia - Friendly Design
We have specialist knowledge of Dementia-friendly design.
If you're a small independent care home operator, wanting to improve your home to make it more suitable for someone living with dementia, then read about our Dementia-Friendly Design Review.
Our people
Caroline Martin is an award-winning RIBA Chartered Architect and Interior Designer with over 25 years professional experience.
She brings with her a wealth of experience in housing, health care, workspace, community buildings and hotel projects. During her career she has been lead Architect on numerous projects, (both new build and conversion projects), taking them from initial concept design through to completed buildings.
Having worked on lots of listed buildings she is knowledgeable and skilled at negotiating with Conservation officers and Historic England to extend and refurbish them.
When not at work Caroline can be found riding her horse or walking in the countryside. In 2014 she set up Cox Martin Design with her husband Jeremy Cox.
Jeremy Cox: at Hampshire County Architects Jeremy worked on a number of award-winning schools and public buildings. After retraining, he spent time working in Forestry and now advises on trees and landscape design, as well as helping to manage and steer the practice. When not working, Jeremy can be found in the garden, or with his beloved Moto Guzzi motorbike.
Olly is a Junior Architectural Assistant and gets involved in updating the company website & social media accounts, doing cad work, & producing 3D models for the early stages of projects. Outside of the office, he is a qualified Parkour Coach and loves travelling & going to the Gym.
Cox Martin Design has a small core of staff which allows us to work cost efficiently for our clients, but also regularly collaborates with other professionals who work on a freelance basis for the practice. These include:
Rod :has over 40 years experience in the construction industry as an architectural technician and latterly as a Technical Manager for medium sized housing developers. He takes the role of Building Regulations Principle Designer for projects where this service is required, and advises on building regulation compliance and buildabillity.
Liz: has over 18 years’ experience in commercial interior design and architecture. Throughout her career she has worked with high end clients, in Retail, Hospitality, and Workplace sectors. She has also worked on residential and education projects seeing schemes through from initial concept design to completion on site.
Wayne: is an experienced Senior Architectural Technician. Having started in the industry in 1990, he has a wealth of experience and technical knowledge.
James: is a Chartered Architectural Technologist with 10 years’ experience. He has a particular interest in bespoke energy conscious design and is experienced in working for homeowners and developers.
Sam : Has 10 years experience as a 3D Visualiser & CGI specialist. His visuals can help clients, Planning officers and the general public better understand the proposed development, which is often half the battle.
Fees
Being a small practice, we’re able to offer an individual service, at a competitive fee.
Each fee is calculated on a project-by-project basis depending on its size & complexity. The scope of our service will be laid out in our fee proposal so our role is clearly defined, and you know what to expect from us.
As Director & Lead Architect, Caroline is a member of the ARB (Architects registration board) & the RIBA (Royal institute of British Architects). She is also a member of AfH (Architects for Health) who promote good design in the healthcare sector. We hold the necessary PI Insurance for our projects.