architecturalDS

LABC awards 2013

2013-10-25T07:32:00.001-07:00

OK so we didn't win but what a great night we enjoyed in the fine company of Arun building control representatives and our client whose splendid cossack dancing skills and determination to polish off the grande hotel's entire wine stock were never in any doubt.

www.labc.co.uk
www.architecturaldesignservices.org

Larch Clad Extension, Liss, Hants.

2013-10-25T07:24:00.001-07:00

Our recently approved larch clad single storey addition to a house in the South Downs National Park. Images courtesy of Lloyd Price, who we hope will be producing more visuals for us in the future for client approvals and conceptual projects.

www.architecturaldesignservices.org

LABC recognise Outram Road Development

2013-01-11T08:57:00.002-08:00

ADS' new completed development at Outram Road, Felpham has been nominated for the prestigous LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Excellence in Building Awards 2013.

As the LABC website states "Building Excellence Awards are all about the essence of good buildings. Finalists are not judged on architectural beauty, but on the "Excellence" shown from a construction and technical building control point of view. The awards showcase buildings and design teams that have had to tussle with technical issues, difficult sites, innovative and creative solutions."

The house has been nominated for the Best dwelling house and Best Sustainable Project by representatives from Arun District Council Building Control.

www.architecturaldesignservices.org

New Serviced Office move coming soon !

2012-12-17T02:51:00.001-08:00

We are moving to new serviced offices alongside the river in Arundel, West Sussex at the beginning of the new year whilst retaining a weekly presence in Bognor Regis. The move will bring us closer to some of our recently acquired "inland" customers and provide additional space and a wider local presence. Contact details will remain the same.

www.architecturaldesignservices.org

Outram Road Completed

2012-12-12T03:54:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the latest pictures together with approvals drawings of the now completed 5 bedroom house at Outram Road, Felpham.

The house benefits from UV solar heating, low U-values for thermal comfort and air tightness, an internal lift, sprinkler system and expansive 2nd floor lounge and kitchen space that take in the magnificant sea views to the south and east.

The 2nd and 3rd storey balconies emphasise the prominant corner plot; I think it's fair to say the design has rasied some eye brows amongst some of the more traditionalist promenaders.

www.architecturaldesignservices.org

Single Storey Extension gets Planning consent: Liss, Hampshire

2012-10-23T03:07:00.002-07:00

ADS' design for a new timber framed, larch clad, single storey extension in Liss, Hampshire has been granted planning permission by South Downs National Park Planning authority.
The approvals process was a complex one, involving a tree survey report to assess possible damage to a nearby 92 year old, protected lime tree. It was shown that by careful construction and innovative design solutions a successful resolution could be achieved that presented the client with high quality addtional space whilst respecting the local landscape and planting.

The design uses 90mm larch slats, clad to the external envelope, recessed concertina door reveals and a rendered external post for structural purposes that supports the planted green roof and atrium roof light. Internally a wood-burner and a new open plan kitchen / day room provide a simple, yet refined living area that offers transit and connection to the sloped garden exterior deck.

www.architecturaldesignservices.org

Aldwick Planning granted

2012-10-16T08:55:00.004-07:00

Planning Consent has been granted for our design for 6 new 1 and 2 bedroom flats in Aldwick, West Bognor Regis. The application to convert a former residential care home underwent some revisions on advic from planners and subject to community consultation.
The design uses horizontal timber cladding and render systems as well as a complete re-roofing of the entire structure including green roof areas to the back of the previously extended flat roof elements.
To avoid asphalting the parking and access provision, a heavy duty polymer mesh will be laid through which local grasses can florish,adding to the beach front atmosphere of the plot.
Recessed window reveals and projecting balconies in matching timber complete the conversion which is expected to offer high-end single and dual occupancy accomodation for professionals or retired owners.

www.architecturaldesignservices.org

2012-09-24T12:51:00.001-07:00

Lyons and SPAN - A lesson in Development that Stands the Test of Time

Being involved in local regeneration initiatives in and around Bognor Regis gives opportunities to discover a huge range of opinions and views about how our town should evolve, what it should provide and what its purpose is to the people who visit and live here.

The sometimes vociferous voices of the anti-Arun clan vs. the pro-St Modwen posse of big bucks investment makes for interesting listening but sometimes over shadows some of the good work that is and has been done in the past and present.

Both camps do seem to agree on a few things however;

Firstly that they have the good of the people of the town at the heart of their argument and;

Secondly that this can be achieved through radical urban development of key strategic sites, whether it be the new link road, the enterprise Bognor initiative or the Regis and Hothamton sites.

Whilst in the middle of recent research on a listed building project in West Sussex recently I stumbled across similar arguments that were being made by the architect/ development team of Eric Lyons and SPAN who famously carried out a raft of low cost housing schemes across London and the Home counties in the mid to late 60's.

image courtesy of wowhaus

Lyons and SPAN (lead by development guru's Leslie Bisley and Geoffrey Townsend) were responsible for bringing nearly 2,400 new homes into existence during the period, comprising of one, two and three bedroom houses planned around a "homes within a garden" concept. These sub-urban villages were clustered in groups, often with minimal vehicular access to encourage non-car use and were renowned for their meticulous detailing and material consideration. At the heart of their ethos was a belief that they understood and responded to what they knew about the human condition coupled with a ruthless pro-development agenda that saw the evolution of a new typology in sub-urban house design springing up almost overnight.

Two of these developments were planned and built in Bognor Regis. One survives pretty much in tact and can be seen in Pevensey Road; a small scale version of some of the bigger developments, Howard House was built as a sheltered housing complex with expansive views across the fields of Bersted and set within its own cloistered and landscaped gardens. The other in Corbishley road is now demolished.

Whilst these buildings look average and dated to the untutored eye they have at their heart an intention that goes way beyond aesthetics or appearance. They are the material representation of a concept of living that either rightly or wrongly was applied and carried out for what the designers considered to be the betterment of their clients..... The people who lived and used them. Whilst SPAN was a developer with books to balance they never shirked from what they saw as their responsibility to provide value for money coupled with a considerate response to communities and people. Many of their buildings are now considered to be design classics and fetch above average prices on the open market. They have stood the test of time because of their meticulous attention to detail and consequently provide a much sort after building type appreciated by individuals and families alike.

Let us hope then that the town's new raft of development can learn from these masters by placing consideration and the needs of communities at the heart of their objectives.

www.architecturaldesignservices.org

Useful links
http://www.templemere.co.uk/SPANlinks.html
www.span-westfield.co.uk/
http://www.stmodwen.co.uk/

Government to review planning law

2012-09-06T04:37:00.003-07:00

News this morning reveals the governments intention to get planning officers "off people's backs" with a relaxation of current rules in England.

The government will consult on allowing people, for a three-year period, to build larger extensions on houses - up to 8m long for detached homes or 6m for semi's or terraced houses rather than the 4m and 3m limits currently in place. Along withe this a relaxation on converting loft space or garages and outbouildings into dwelling space will cease to need planning consent unless in conservation areas or listed buildings.

The measures will be put in place to assist what the government says will be a much needed boost to the housing market freeing up valuable time for planners to concentrate on increasing the housing quota shortfalls. Given the approximately 400,000 prospective backlog of houses that have planning consent but have not yet been constructed this seems an unlikely justification.

The eight week turn around for simple planning applications, nearly double the period prior to the recent raft of public sector job cuts in planning departments, has shown to demonstrate district council's lack of resources in this area. It seems rather that by reducing planners workloads a more ruthless justification of cuts can be argued by central government;

Here are the governments proposals on housing-building that will form part of the legislation:-

Consult on a three-year relaxation of planning rules on extending homes and business premises.
All householders would be able to build 6m long extensions without planning permission (it's currently 3m)
Removing requirements for developers to include affordable housing - if they prove they make a site "commercially unviable".
An extra £280m for the FirstBuy scheme to help would-be homeowners with a deposit.
A new bill to provide £40bn in government guarantees to underwrite major infrastructure projects and £10bn to underwrite the construction of new homes.
Funding of £300m to provide 15,000 affordable homes and bring 5,000 empty homes back into use.
A new "major infrastructure fast-track" for big projects.
Putting poorly performing council planning departments into "special measures" and allowing developers to bypass them if they fail to improve.

If you need help understanding the current planning guidelines or what these implications might have for your home or business please feel free to get in touch:

www.architecturaldesignservices.org

architecturalDS: Presidents Medals: Journeys Through Hyper-reality

2012-08-17T02:06:00.001-07:00

architecturalDS: Presidents Medals: Journeys Through Hyper-reality
http://www.presidentsmedals.com/Project_Details.aspx?id=1214&dop=False

Presidents Medals: Journeys Through Hyper-reality

2012-08-15T13:34:00.001-07:00

Presidents Medals: Journeys Through Hyper-reality

Planning application for New Artist Studio & live/Work unit Nr Arundel West Sussex

2012-08-08T04:55:00.000-07:00

We have just completed outline designs for a new Artists studio complex and Live/work Unit for a nationally recognised artist near Arundel, West Sussex.

The design incorporates tradiotnal vernacular elements using horizontal stained timber cladding, and brick & flint gable end walls around a courtyard setting; and converts an original storage area into a live/wrk unti for the artist.
The design follows consultation with Arun District council's planning department as the site sits in a strategic gap. A decision is hoped to be reached by early Autumn after which detailed design and construction will follow in 2013.