An introduction to Eye For Detail Architects
PAUL BASSETT - DIRECTOR & PRINCIPLE ARCHITECT BA(Hons) Architecture, DipArch PGDip RIBA
EYE FOR DETAIL ARCHITECTS is an award-winning practice based in Horsham with years of professional experience. Our philosophy has always centred on providing a personalized service tailored to each client's individual requirements.
Drawing on my discipline as a British Army Veteran In The Royal Engineers As A Sapper, I bridge the technical precision of military engineering with the soulful serenity of my Japanese heritage, raised in Tachikawa (立川市), Tokyo, Japan.
Paul’s background as a Royal Engineers Sapper (Combat Engineer Class 1) ensures every project is managed with unrivalled technical rigour. Trained in structural military engineering and high-pressure problem solving, he delivers flexible, resilient new homes and extensions across West Sussex and Surrey that are as structurally sound as they are profoundly peaceful.
Because no two projects are the same, everything we design is entirely bespoke to you. Driven by a passion for simplicity, maximizing budgets, and creating bright, open-plan spaces, we help reinvent how you live in your home. Discover what our clients say on our "Testimonials page"
As a sole practitioner, Paul offers the distinct advantage of providing innovative architectural design without the heavy overheads of larger practices—passing those savings directly to you. Over the years, we have forged strong relationships with local planning officers, builders, trades, and structural engineers. Leading your project from day one, we assemble a bespoke "Design Team" of trusted local experts, putting an extensive network entirely at your disposal.
We are passionate about turning simple extensions and challenging projects into extraordinary opportunities. By handling all the complexities of design, planning, and construction, we leave you free to simply enjoy inspirational spaces you never imagined were possible.
Paul was born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and an American father serving in the U.S. Air Force. Originally named Yasuo Ozawa (康夫 小沢), he grew up immersed in a unique blend of cultural influences.
Paul’s fascination with architecture dates back to his early childhood in Tokyo, where he lived in a traditional Japanese home. He grew up surrounded by Washitsu (和室)—traditional rooms characterized by woven tatami flooring and elegant fusuma (sliding doors) that seamlessly connected the indoors with the outside world.
A Genkan (玄関) is a traditional Japanese entranceway designed to welcome guests. Far more than just a porch, it serves as a beautifully defined transition space between the outside world and the home—creating a striking focal point that sets the tone for the rest of the house.
Paul’s formative years in Japan sparked a deep curiosity for design—a perspective further shaped by traveling the world with his military father before Paul later joined the British Army’s Royal Engineers.
Following a distinguished military career, Paul embarked on the rigorous seven-year path to becoming a RIBA Chartered Architect in 1994. Combining intense university study with demanding Part 3 professional examinations, he forged a design philosophy rooted in absolute precision. Today, his work is defined by the mastery of natural light, privacy, and creating beautifully framed vistas of gardens and outdoor spaces—regardless of the project’s scale.
After gaining extensive experience within several established practices, Paul founded Eye for Detail Architects in Horsham in 2011, bringing a unique blend of global perspective and technical precision to every project.
Paul recently returned to Japan to visit family in Tokyo and Hiroshima, touring the country to study traditional Japanese post-and-beam timber houses. This included a visit to his original family home on Etajima Island, which remains in the family to this day.
My grandfather was a successful businessman in Kure before purchasing our family home in Etajima. It came with substantial land, which my grandmother farmed for local crops with the help of local staff. In the mid-1960s, the house was upgraded. The traditional Japanese side—which originally featured an earthen-floor kitchen (Doma) and raised tatami rooms with a traditional heated sunken table (Kotatsu - Image above)—was beautifully preserved. Meanwhile, the other half was modernised "Western Style" to introduce a contemporary kitchen, dining area, and lounge.
Growing up, my mother and her three sisters lived in this expansive home. To me, visiting it feels just like staying in a Ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn). It offers a profound connection and harmony with the natural world, embracing daylight, sunlight, and total flexibility of space. Experiencing this firsthand helped me understand the underlying differences between the two cultures: where Western architecture is based on permanence—hence, "An Englishman’s home is his castle"—Japanese architecture is focused beautifully on flexibility.
At EYE FOR DETAIL ARCHITECTS, we provide high-quality architectural services for a diverse range of clients across West Sussex and Surrey. Over the years, we have delivered tailored design and planning solutions for:
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Residential Extensions & Home Refurbishments: Helping homeowners maximize space and reinvent how they live.
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Bespoke Self-Builds & New Homes: Working alongside self-builders to design energy-efficient, custom properties.
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Barn Conversions & Outbuilding Remodels: Transforming historic agricultural buildings into striking modern spaces.
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Listed Buildings & Heritage Conservation: Navigating complex planning permissions for historic and period property restorations.
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Property Developers & Landlords: Designing high-yield residential developments, flat conversions, and commercial property portfolios.
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Commercial & Community Spaces: Creating functional, inspiring layouts for businesses, schools, sports clubs, and local organizations.
Our professional credentials include registration with the ARB (Architects Registration Board) and chartership with the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). We are fully committed to integrating sustainable design and resilient building practices into every project we undertake.
Ready to transform your home? Contact us today to learn more about our services, book a free initial online consultation, or arrange an expert "Architect Home Visit" with an award-winning, RIBA-chartered architect.
Call us on 01403 211868 or 
or click here to send us an email enquiry
