The studio

One architect.
Total accountability.

You deal directly with an experienced chartered architect throughout every project — from the first conversation to the last site visit. No unnecessary layers. No loss of continuity. Clear advice throughout.

Jonathan Oxley — Chartered Architect and Director, Concept Zero Architects, Market Harborough
Jonathan Oxley — Director
The person behind the practice

Jonathan Oxley

Director & Chartered Architect — RIBA, ARB

I've been a chartered architect for over twenty years, working across residential, commercial, heritage, and hospitality projects throughout the East Midlands. I set up Concept Zero because I believe the most valuable thing an architect can do isn't produce drawings — it's think clearly about a problem before anyone picks up a pencil.

Every project I take on gets my direct attention throughout. That's not a constraint — it's the point. The clients who get the best results are the ones who want to work with someone who genuinely understands their brief, can navigate the complexity of planning and construction honestly, and will tell them what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear.

Most clients arrive with an idea of what they want to build. The better question is usually why their building isn't working — and whether construction is actually the answer.

I'm particularly experienced with projects where the constraints are complex — listed buildings, tight urban sites, commercial developments that have to work around a live operation, hospitality and leisure projects where planning, licensing and commercial return all have to be balanced simultaneously.

Consultant network

Direct responsibility doesn't mean working in isolation. For every project, I work with an established network of trusted specialists — assembled around the specific needs of the work.

Structural engineers Quantity surveyors Planning consultants Heritage advisors M&E engineers Landscape architects
RIBA Chartered Architect ARB Registered RIBA Chartered Practice 20+ Years Practice Market Harborough
Experience & track record

Twenty years of substantial projects.

From significant residential refurbishments to complex commercial developments — the depth of experience on a project matters as much as the quality of the design.

20+
Years of chartered practice across the East Midlands and beyond
£1m+
Largest single project construction value delivered
4
Sectors — residential, commercial, hospitality and heritage
1
Person responsible for your project, from brief to completion

We chose Jon having met several architects — because he was excellent at balancing listening to our ideas with his own thoughts and vision. It was clear he understood what matters when creating a home for a family, and he has a warmth and ease which makes him very straightforward to work and communicate with. Jon always replied promptly to our calls and messages. We are delighted with our home — the light, practical design respects the history of the house whilst providing a thoroughly modern feel.

Jess  —  House renovation & full oversight, Leicestershire

His knowledge, approach and flexibility have been an absolute pleasure on my project — a new build house on a constrained site, taking over from a previous architect. My builder is also very appreciative of Jonathan's approach and they have a good working relationship.

Robert W.  —  New build house, constrained site

How we work

The principles behind every project.

These aren't aspirations. They're the things that come up on every project — in the early conversations, the difficult moments, and the decisions that matter.

01
Understand the problem first

We start by understanding why a building isn't working — not by designing the solution. The answer is often simpler, and cheaper, than the client expected. That conversation is where most of the value is.

02
Honest advice, always

If something won't get planning consent, we say so. If a budget doesn't match the ambition, we say so early. Clients make better decisions with clear information — and we'd rather give difficult news early than expensive news late.

03
Design that earns its cost

The architect's fee is the most cost-effective investment on a major project — but only when the architect is genuinely adding value. We focus on outcomes that justify the spend, not on design for its own sake.

04
The client's interest, not ours

The building has to work for the people who use it. We have strong design convictions and we'll advocate for them — but the project exists to serve your goals, not our portfolio.

Who we work with

Clients who value clear thinking over ego — and know what matters to them.

We work across residential, commercial and heritage projects. What our clients have in common is that they bring real decisions, not just vague aspirations — and they want an architect who will engage with those decisions honestly.

Homeowners

Significant homes, thoughtfully handled

Substantial refurbishments, complex extensions, listed buildings, new builds. Clients who understand that the right architectural advice at the start of a project is worth more than any fee saved by skipping it.

Business owners & developers

Commercial reality built in from the start

Expansion, change of use, new facilities. Clients who need an architect who understands budget discipline, operational constraints, and planning risk — not just design.

Hospitality & heritage

Complex projects, handled with confidence

Pubs, restaurants, hotels, listed buildings, farm diversification. Projects where planning, licensing and commercial return all have to work simultaneously — and where experience with that complexity is essential.

Get in touch

Not sure where
to start? Good.

Most of the best projects begin with someone who has a question, not a brief. If you have a building that isn't working, a site you're not sure what to do with, or a project that's stalled — a short conversation costs nothing and usually helps clarify things considerably.

Tell us about your project
Telephone 01858 322322
Email studio@conceptzero.co.uk
Address Three Crowns Yard, Market Harborough, LE16 7AF
Hours Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Professional status ARB Registered  ·  RIBA Chartered Practice