Níall Hedderman is an ARB-registered architect based in Edinburgh. He founded Capital A Architecture in 2009, Níall has completed over 235 projects across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, specialising in contemporary house extensions and the renovation of listed buildings.

Capital A has been included in Urban Realm Magazine's Top 100 Architects in Scotland nine consecutive times, most recently in 2026, and has won the Scottish Design Awards Low-Cost Project category. Níall's work has been published in The Times, The Scotsman, Design Milk, Build It magazine and Homes & Interiors Scotland.

In 2021 he created Real Life Architecture to bring his expertise directly to homeowners across the UK, offering impartial online consultations on buying, building, altering and extending homes. He has since completed hundreds of consultations for clients throughout the UK. Real Life Architecture's free guidance reaches over 100,000 subscribers across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, making it one of the most widely followed independent architecture channels in the UK.

Architect, Consultant, Content Creator

Hello there! I'm Níall, and I've been running my own architecture practice in Edinburgh since 2009. I specialise in altering and extending private homes. I understand that for many of my clients, the world of architecture and construction can feel unfamiliar and daunting. That's why a big part of my work involves demystifying the process, guiding homeowners step by step, and ensuring they feel confident and informed every step of the way.

What is Real Life Architecture

Drawing upon my experience I created Real Life Architecture. Here, I offer friendly advice tailored to homeowners all across the UK. Whether you're planning a house extension, altering the internal layout or even building your own home from scratch, I am the first person you should speak to. You can browse my free advice or you can book an online consultation for a fee.

Real Life Architecture on Social Media

Join me on my journey as I share insights and practical tips on designing, altering, and extending homes in the UK. With over 100k followers and rising, Real Life Architecture's social media channels are buzzing with engaging content and real-world perspectives, regularly attracting hundreds of thousands of monthly views. Let's navigate the world of architecture together, making your dream home a tangible reality!

Media Collaborations

I am happy to participate in media interviews, podcasts and online collaborations. If you want to talk to me about a collaboration, get in touch on the Contact page.