About DB3
Founded in 1883, DB3 Group is an award-winning, dynamic practice providing advisory services through three business units: DB3 Architecture & Design, DB3 Building Services Engineering and DB3 Professional Services.
DB3 Group has seven studios across the UK in Leeds, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Aberystwyth, so we are never too far away from your project.
Renowned for our quality design and technical delivery, we have long standing relationships with some of the biggest global brands across private and public market sectors.
We provide multi-disciplinary expertise aimed at meeting the diverse needs of our client base, from architectural vision to the completed build.
We embrace the latest technology to assist in our process and operations for design, visualisation, design team coordination and more.
Maintaining a focus on delivering the project on time, with exceptional quality and within cost, ensures long term value is designed into facilities that are easy and safe to operate, sustainable, minimise energy use and are cost effective to maintain.
Our dedicated team of experienced professionals provide a quality service regardless of project value, size or complexity, to deliver the best for our clients. Working collaboratively, we aspire to make this an enjoyable process and build relationships which result in us returning to work for the same clients on future projects.
SECTORS
Commercial
Conservation & Heritage
Data Centres
Education
Energy
Industrial & Manufacturing
Retail
Residential
Science & Labs
Sports, Leisure & Wellbeing
Waste
EXPERTISE
Architecture
Building Services Engineering
Design Management
Decarbonisation
Passivhaus Design
Principal Designer (CDM)
Principal Designer (Building Regulations)
NEC Supervisor
Technical Advisor
Aberystwyth
London
Cardiff
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2
3
Architecture & Design
Building Services Engineering
Professional Services
With over 140 years of experience, we are a collaborative practice focused on our clients, communities and the environment. Our legacy is built on architectural excellence, driven by honesty, transparency and a commitment to creating buildings that stand the test of time.
As a RIBA Chartered practice, we support projects from concept through to completion. By working closely with our clients, we take time to understand what matters to them and turn this into well considered designs that reflect shared goals.
Our architectural team includes more than 35 architects, supported by over 50 technologists and architectural assistants. Together we have the capacity to deliver projects across all sectors, including:
Infrastructure
Retail
Sports & Leisure
Heritage & Conservation
Commercial Office Fit Out
Education
Residential
“DB3 are my go to practice for architectural services, always a pleasure to work with, competent and committed to ensuring the client receives top quality delivery.”
- Chris Arnold, Rhomco
With extensive experience across building services, we deliver tailored MEP solutions supported by a fully consultative approach. Our Building Services Engineering team can work as part of our wider multidisciplinary offer or as an independent Mechanical and Electrical consultant, depending on what your project requires.
Our support includes:
MEP detailed and performance design
Energy Performance Certificates
Energy modelling and dynamic simulation
Planning application supporting documents
Due diligence and monitoring roles
Surveys including pre-acquisition and dilapidation
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Applications and enquiries for new utility supplies, demand assessments and service diversions
Full detailed design or Design and Build performance briefs from early concept through to handover
Whole life costing, feasibility studies and energy studies
Site surveys
Project management and on-site supervision
Building Control and L2 compliance
Level 5 Low Carbon Energy Assessors for England, Wales and Scotland
Dynamic simulation and overheating analysis
“Ipswich Borough Council appointed DB3 to provide Architect, Lead Designer and MEP Design consultancy services for the new Ipswich Aquatics Centre. DB3’s approach brought together strong design vision and technical expertise to deliver a modern, efficient and inclusive facility with user experience at the heart of the proposals.”
- Glenn Miller, Ipswich Borough Council
The DB3 Professional Services business unit offers professional consultancy services which complement the DB3 Architecture and Design and DB3 Building Services Engineering offerings. Each specialist service can be procured as a standalone package for your project or incorporated into a multi-disciplinary appointment. These roles exist to keep projects on track, protect client interests and ensure that the work carried out on site meets the standards expected.
Our professional teams operate from seven UKwide studios in England, Scotland and Wales and deliver the following specialist service:
Principal Designer (BRegs)
Principal Designer (CDM)
NEC Supervisor
Clerk of Works
Technical Advisor
Design Management
“Pleasant experience working with a professional team.”
- Eric Clarke, Saint Gobain
Accreditations
AJ100 Company
RIBA Chartered Practice
Passivhaus Trust Member
Certified Passivhaus Designers
CIAT Registered Practice
CIBSE Directory of Practices & Firms
CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors
ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System
ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management System
Altius Approved Elite Vendor
H&S SSIP Accredited, through Eurosafe and Alcumus
Constructionline Gold Member
Achilles RISQS Accredited
Cyber Essentials Plus
Awards
DB3 Group:
Winner – Insider Wales 2025 ‘Architectural Practice of the Year’; UK Enterprise Client Service Excellence Award 2024 ‘Best Sustainable Architecture Practice’; Build Architecture Awards ‘Best Sustainable Architecture & Design Firm 2023’; Yorkshire Insider Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; COMBA 2022 ‘Architect of the Year’; COBBA 2022 ‘Architect of the Year’
Shortlisted – Yorkshire Insider Awards 2025 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; Building Awards 2025 ‘Architectural Practice of the Year’; COBBA 2024 ‘Architect of the Year; Yorkshire Insider Awards 2024 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; West Midlands Insider Awards 2024 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; The Grafters Awards 2024 ‘Best RIBA Architectural Practice’; West Midlands Insider Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; UKREiiF Awards 2023 ‘Consultant of the Year’; COMBA 2023 ‘Architecture Practice’; Grafters Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice’; Foundations Healthy Housing Awards 2023 ‘Design of Adaptations’
DB3 Team:
Shortlisted – AJ Awards 2025 ‘Emerging Architect’, Isabella Webb; G4C Yorkshire & Humber 2025 ‘New Professional of the Year’, Keitu Sibanda; Construction News Specialist Awards 2025 ‘Rising Star’, Isabella Webb; Downtown in Business COMBA 2025 ‘BDM/Salesperson of the Year’, Jen Spencer; Women in Business Awards 2025 ‘Professional of the Year’, Charlotte Scaife; Insider Yorkshire Young Professionals Awards 2025 ‘Young Business Development Professional’, Jen Spencer & ‘Young Property Professional of the Year’, Mohammed Mahdi; Shortlisted - MMC Awards 2024 ‘Women in Modern Methods of Construction’, Nainita Howard; COBBA 2023 ‘Business Development Professional’, Charlotte Scaife; Shortlisted; COMBA 2023 ‘Business Development Professional’, Charlotte Scaife
DB3 Features:
Building Magazine 2025 ‘Top 50 Architects’; Building Magazine 2025 ‘40 under 40’, Hemal Patel; Building Top 150 Consultants 2025; Digital Enterprise Top 100 2021
DB3 Projects:
Woking High School: Shortlisted - Education Estates 2025 ‘Project of the Year - Inclusive Design’
National Museum Wales: Shortlisted - AJ Awards 2025 ‘Client of the Year’
BOSS Regent Street: Shortlisted – Retail Week ‘The Best New Store Award – Large’
Flitwick Leisure Centre: Winner – UKActive Awards 2024 ‘Regional Club/Centre of the Year – London’
Castle Farm Leisure Centre: Winner – LABC Building Excellence Awards 2024 ‘Regional Winner Best Public or Community Building’
Printworks Campus, Leeds City College: Winner –MMC Awards 2024 ‘Project of the Year Education (Secondary & Higher)’
Helensburgh Waterfront Development: Highly Commended – Argyll & Bute Awards 2023 ‘Aesthetic Design’; Finalist – Planning Awards 2023 ‘Outstanding Contribution to Placemaking: Best Use of Arts, Culture or Sport’; Highly Commended –IStructE Awards 2022 ‘Leisure Project’
Llys Cadwyn Regeneration: Winner – Cardiff Property Awards 2021 and Ystadau Cymru 2021 Award for ‘Creating Economic Growth’; Highly Commended – British Construction Industry Awards 2021; CLAW Project of the Year Awards 2021
Adidas Oxford Street: Gold Winner – London Design Awards 2020