Durham Region
Architect in Clarington
More space can mean a better home for your family, a separate place for a relative or a business layout that finally works. OAN helps Clarington property owners turn those goals into architectural designs, with a clear understanding of the existing building and the proposed use.
Discuss your project01A sense of place
Design the next use of your property with purpose
Clarington publishes both additional-dwelling-unit guidance and a separate heritage permit process. These are different questions, and they may both matter on an older property. Before developing a second living space or a major addition, establish the address-specific permissions and the building features that the proposal needs to respect.
Plan independent living as a complete layout
A separate unit should provide a clear entrance, useful storage and a sensible arrangement of living and sleeping spaces. Confirm the current permissions for the property with municipal staff. Then coordinate the architectural layout with the code and service considerations that apply to the proposal.
Identify heritage features before altering them
On a designated Clarington property, changes to doors, porches, cladding and other exterior elements can require heritage review. Early photographs and drawings help describe what is being retained and changed. This allows the architectural concept to respond to the building's important characteristics.
Connect renovations to a longer-term plan
If work will happen in stages, decide how today's renovation relates to a future addition or change of use. Locate major circulation and service areas with that broader plan in mind. Phasing should help the building work at each stage, not leave essential relationships unresolved.
02Designed around you
What are you planning in Clarington?
Home additions and reconfiguration
Improve the relationship between kitchens, living spaces and outdoor areas, or create more private rooms without losing the usefulness of the original layout.
Additional dwelling units
Explore a separate living space with an appropriate entrance and interior arrangement, subject to the current rules and conditions of your property.
Business renovations
Organize customer and staff areas around the intended operation, with a clear architectural response to access, storage and the existing building.
03A clear way forward
Turn your ideas into a considered design.
You do not need to arrive with all the answers. We start with what you want to achieve, then shape the architectural work around your property and priorities.
- 01 / 03
Tell us what needs to work better
Share how you will use the space, your budget priorities and your timing. Existing drawings, a survey and site photographs help us understand the starting point.
- 02 / 03
Explore the design decisions
We develop the layout and building form around your brief. Site conditions and applicable requirements help shape the options before the detail grows.
- 03 / 03
Develop coordinated drawings
Once the direction is agreed, we develop the architectural drawings within the agreed scope and coordinate with the consultants your project needs.
Before you begin
Questions about building in Clarington
Is an additional dwelling unit possible on every Clarington property?
Do not assume that a general housing policy applies identically to every address. Property location, zoning and existing conditions matter. Confirm the current requirements with the Municipality before committing to a layout or deciding whether the unit belongs inside or outside the main building.
Do small exterior changes need heritage review?
They can when a designated property's heritage features are affected. Clarington's guidance includes windows, doors, porches and cladding among potential review items. Check the specific work with municipal staff before ordering materials or removing existing elements.
Useful local resources
These official pages can help you prepare for a conversation. The requirements for your address and proposed work should be confirmed before the design is finalized.
- Explore additional-unit guidance (opens in a new tab)
Read the Municipality's published planning information and confirm current permissions for your address.
- Read heritage permit guidance (opens in a new tab)
Find the scope of heritage review and the information needed to explain proposed changes.
Planning a project in Clarington?
Tell us what your Clarington property needs to accommodate next. We can help define an architectural plan that fits your household or business.