Transforming Spaces with Creativity
At Tidal Drift Consultants, we blend artistry and innovation to create unique designs. From full new builds to interiors, landscapes and beyond, we deliver wonderful solutions for every project.
Redefining Design Excellence
Your vision, our expertise
Where creativity meets professionalism
At Tidal Drift Consultants, we believe in the power of teamwork to produce exceptional results.
Our diverse expertise spans All sizes of project, New Build, Refurbishment, landscape, interior, industrial, and graphic design, Film prop making and more.
We transform challenges into innovative solutions for your projects.
We will experiment to find the best fit for your project.
Gallery
A selection of some of the projects that have been run by Julian and built by his team over the years.
About us.
A true collective of Artistic professionals
Graphic Design
Comic Artist
Worked in the British comic industry during the 1990's.
Julian trained at Harrow College of Art in the early 1990's in Illustration. then moved onto Film prop making, Set Building, Theme park construction, Carpentry and now, here he is.
Project managment
Has been project managing jobs of all sizes since the early 2000's This includes The Amercian Express Footbal stadium, Passive house construction. VIneyard , commercial and industrial projects.
Prop Making
Worked on Star wars, Gladiator, Lost in Space, Event Horizon and a host of other films in the 1990's
Testimonials
Some snapshots of client feedback over the years.
Pat Thornton
I met Julian over twenty years ago now, He has done the vast majority of works I have needed from Garden stairs and decking to interior ballustrade, shelving, renovation works and more.
Tidal Drift are now building us a new beautifully designed extension on the rear of the house to replace the old one that was too hot in the Summer and too cold in the winter.
With his local contacts and introductions made for architects and local trades i cannot recommend him highly enough.
A real joy to work with, Shields us from the stresses of the construction industry and makes it all seem so easy. Saves us money where possible and makes suggestions that we otherwise would not have considered.
When he isn't available, he will always recommend an alternative supplier or tradesman and is oftern there when I need advice for some building related issue or query
His team are just lovely and they cant do enough for us.
Peter Carter
A very likeable chap ! He managed the trades and labour and subbies really well.
Very good at dealing with clients. Easy enough for clients to understand , but also took our budgets and financials into consideration when discussing any thing with the “end user”
He has an excellent contact book - (the best one Peter has ever seen) full of people that are all willing to help him, he has most definitely built up a loyal fan club over the years !
He can do specialist stuff as well, his career in prop making for films helped them when they needed to be creative with things on site.
The job was £5.5million over 2.5 years so it was huge project for them and the final success of it was largely down to Julian and his passion and commitment to the project.
He can be a good social worker too, dealing with spats on site - always getting the trades to work well together.
He is practical and hands on and helps when needed he has his own tools.
He does like the detail of a project and he is able to come up with solutions.
It was a difficult job at times with the client changing his mind all the time and Julian came up with cost effective solutions to keep him happy
Would employ again, without question
Mike Ladbrook
Michael commented on Julian’s attention to detail , he has a very keen eye for details
especially transferring them from drawings to product.
He can spot problems before they arise and quickly goes to resolve them.
He is an excellent communicator with Architects, labour and clients.
He can manage both direct labour and sub contractors well.
He is also very good at interacting with internal staff , surveyors and company stakeholders.
He understands contractual obligations and wont make decisions without the correct chain of command
Health & Safety is excellent and we had no issues and problems on site.
The one trait that sticks out with Julian above all other freelance managers. he. has had is his passion for building , he cares and is proud of what he produces. He is an excellent team player and I will most definitely be keeping in touch with him in the future.
Our team
Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated professionals, who are all experts in their field. With many years of experience in the industry, they have the expertise to provide comprehensive, first-rate services to our clients.
Julian Orsborn-Smith
The Director
The seed that grew the tree. Julian has worked in the creative arts, film prop making and has been in construction now since 2000
Shaun Humphries
The Lead Carpenter
Shaun has been a life long carpenter. He met Julian when they built a Premier inn in Lewes back in 2016. They have stuck together like glue working on many wonders ever since.
Dillon Rowe
The other mad scientist
Dillon came from a family kitchen making company. He is also the father of Julians Sister in laws new kid and the glue that holds this motley crew together.
Riley Atkinson
The Site Manager
Riley started out as an Apprentice Carpenter working under his uncle Joolz. Since then he has become Julians go to Site manager and just finished the dental surgery in Brighton with Tidal Drift.
Robyn Morley
The Office Manager
Julian And Robyn have been working together for the last few years. He comes up with barking mad ideas and she reigns him in and makes them a possibility. Luckily for Robyn. She lives in Bristol so doesn't have to deal with him too much face to face!
Becky Sims
The Book Keeper
Much like Robyn, Becky lives in Bristol and assists with keeping the business running smoothly andall things in the right place at the right time.
Lee Boulton
The Groundworker
Lee has his own company, Bolar Groundworks. He and Julian have done many fabulous project together and look forward to many more.
Tommy
The Decorator
Tommy and his comapny have worked with Julian across many projects from the Passive House they did together to a lot of wonderful work on a Local Vineyard they cant discuss due to secrecy and many others inbetween.
Barry Flaherty
The Plumber
What Barry doesnt know about plumbing doesnt exist. He has his own company BFP and works with Julian as often as possible.
Craig Stamp
The Tiler and Zen magician
Craig has been working with Julian now for about 6 years. Craig has the unnerving ability to ensure we all play off the same hymn sheet. He has his own company and works with Tidal Drift as often as we can.
Accurate real time site reporting and digital back office
Site records and information
We have long used digital diaries and the latest technologies available to improve our workflow
Services
Some of the elements of our work
Impossible to show everything we do but here is a taste.
New build
New build and Passive Houses
Every self-build comes with surprises, and Weald House was no exception.
From reworking ground levels and resizing timber frames on site, to designing new mechanical and electrical systems that truly suited the home — each stage brought challenges that required practical, well-considered solutions.
By reusing excavated materials for landscaping, introducing a pressurised water system and solar array, and carefully selecting long-lasting materials, the build combined sustainability with craftsmanship.
The outcome? A bespoke Passive Haus with an air test result of 0.16 (compared to the standard 8). More importantly, a family home designed to be lived in and enjoyed for years to come.
At Tidal Drift, projects like this are about more than managing a build — they’re about supporting clients through the process, problem-solving along the way, and making sure the result matches the vision.
Cutting edge technology
Drone Surveys
Click on the image above.
From basic Fly by's to enabling the site set up for larger projects, Accurate 3d models for surveys and more, we have the tech and the ability to assist in your projects in more ways than one.
This was something that began with simple roof surveys. Flying a drone up and over a building to see where the leak may be coming from or to see the condition of a straw roof or the condition of old tiles.
At the same time we where as a matter of course using LIDAR scanning softward to create 3d models fo the interiors of the projects we where on to enable the job and create next level records for the client, Building inspector and also hand over at the end for a level of records we had neve seen before.
From there, using the drone to create 3d models of the entire site enabled both us the Contractor, The architect and of course the client. If they couldn't be there then we can send a model of the work to discuss over the phone in real time. We keep a close eye on the new technology as it appears as it can only benefit any size of project.
Cutting edge technology
Design work
Current Works.
We are working with a client for a place to eat lunch and hang out in his sprawling garden. The remit is a creative indoor/outdoor space next to a fire pit. so the roof has been vented here to allow trapped smoke to dissappear from front to back. More to come as this develops.
A dedicated record of information at all times.
Refurbishment and renovation
Brighton has a lot of old buildings that require far more than expected upon first glance. With Bungaroushe, old timber, salt corrosion and lime plaster there are many unexpected things that can happen along the way. We use digitsl records and the latest equipment to ensure that we build once and rarley ever need to come back.
Artist Studio in conjunction with GE Paul ltd
Creative collaboration
We love working with other companies and creating amazing teams across the different elements of a build. From the Architect to the structural engineer to all of the trades involved in each unique project. As the phrase rightly says. "Teamwork makes the Dream work".
150+
Projects Completed in our various incarnations
Repeat custom
Happy Clients who love to spread the word and get us involved with other projects.
Award winning
Sussex Heritage Trust 2024 small scale residential.
Visionary
Creatives
We have the right fit for your project.
Over 35 years
experience
From Volume house building to Football stadiums and High end luxury.
Federation of Master Builders
Member since 2024.
Our Expertise at a Glance
Your reliable partner for high-quality construction projects! For over 30 years, we have stood for quality, craftsmanship, and customer-oriented solutions in the construction industry. Whether you're planning a new home or renovating an existing property – we're here for you!
Construction
Crafting breathtaking outdoor spaces that harmonize with nature.
Interior Design
Creating stunning interiors that reflect your unique style.
Industrial Design
Innovative product designs that merge form with functionality.
Artistic Engagement
Designing artful experiences through collaboration and imagination.
Get in touch
Telephone: 01273 044731
E-mail: julian@tidaldrift.co.uk
Address: Worthing, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Our services at a glance
At Tidal Drift consultants limited, we offer a wide range of services tailored to meet your individual needs. Our experienced specialists are dedicated to bringing your visionary ideas to life.
Renovation
We are your point of contact for the renovation work that will give your property a new shine.
Refurbishment
Whether it is energy-efficient renovation or historic preservation of buildings – we work with care and expertise.
Interior design
We design functional and appealing interior spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical.
Bespoke furniture
We can make many elements of your new home in our purpose built workshop
New Build
We have the team to take your empty field to a turn key project
Bespoke Kitchens
We are soon to be announcing our workshop to build your kitchen from scratch to your design.
Specialist paint finishes
Coming from the special effects background in the British film industry you would be surprised what we are capable of.
Speak to the team for more informaiton
Creative design
We can give solutions where others can not. Ideas not readily considered are freely suggested where needed.
Speak to the team for more informaiton