Anne's blog: From the architect's notebook

From the Royal Festival Hall to Windermere... Recently I visited two iconic buildings for non-work-related reasons. What a pleasure it was to be reminded of the difference that good design makes, as an ordinary user of these spaces. Firstly, I attended a concert at the Royal Festival Hall. This is a building nearing its 70th birthday, yet it felt as fresh, new and successful for its current audience as it must have done when it was first built. This struck me because of the easy flow around the building, the light and airy spaces, and simple access between them. It gave the impression of a calm and unhurried space, an oasis in the hustle and bustle of one of the busiest cities in the world. When I took my seat in the auditorium, the thought and consideration in the seating layout, materials and viewpoint was obvious. The natural wood of the interior seemed supremely fresh and contemporary. The sound was clear and immersive. I particularly admired the attention to small...

Architects, co-workers or informed clients of the future? Last Friday I had the privilege of being an ambassador – and potentially a recruiter - for my profession. I was at Shiplake College, near Henley-on-Thames, taking part in a Careers Fair for Year 12 (sixth form) students. It’s always interesting to be questioned by young people about what I do. The fresh perspective, curiosity and enthusiasm of the Shiplake students helped me see my job through new eyes and reminded me how architects are often perceived, both in good and bad ways! This was a very well-organised careers fair, with students circulating between stands in groups. The Head of Careers was keen that students expand their horizons by meeting a broad range of employers and informing themselves, instead of only targeting careers that they already knew about or were keen on. So I talked to a mix of students, some of whom were working towards a role in architecture and some who certainly were not, but were keen to k...

What is Permitted Development? Permitted development is a specific part of Planning Law. Under certain circumstances, it allows construction work to be undertaken without an application for planning permission. Certain categories of minor or insignificant development are granted an automatic planning permission by law. If your project is one of these, you can cut out a sometimes lengthy and costly planning application and approval process. What sort of projects does it cover? Permitted Development applies to some things that you might not even think need anyone’s approval – like putting up a television aerial. Most commonly, it affects people who want to do building work at their own house. That often means an extension, but also garage conversions and even changing the external appearance of a house, perhaps with new windows or render. That sounds quite straightforward… isn’t it? Sadly, it’s not. The concept of permitted development was introduced when Planning Permission w...

5 questions to ask when you're choosing someone to design your building project Building or updating your home can be a life-changing project that costs a substantial sum. Like any big project, you’ll get the best result if you choose your service providers wisely. An architect or designer will likely be your first consideration.  Here are five questions it’s a good idea to ask, to help you in your decision. 1. “How much work do you do locally?” There are many benefits of using a local provider. For the various permissions you may need, they’re more likely to have experience and contacts with the local council Planning and Building Control departments. They’ll be familiar with their policies and likely sticking points.  Local materials and style can have an impact on design and features for a new or refurbishment project. Any specific local site constraints – access road and traffic problems, weather patterns, flooding issues – will be important. Any ...

Thinking outside the box… from urban Leeds to the Thames Valley! Angles, levels and alcoves can make for distinctive and satisfying rooms I recently went to stay in an apartment block in Leeds for a weekend away. The apartment was in  an award-winning building  in an upcoming area on the waterfront, popular with young professionals, sandwiched between railway arches and the canal. Like many city centre buildings, it is tall, to make the most of a limited footprint. Also typically these days, it’s mixed use, with offices and restaurants on the lower level and residential apartments above enjoying expansive views and reduced urban noise.  Wedged in… in a good way! The exciting difference with this block is that it’s circular in plan. The staircase and lifts go up the centre, so the flats are shaped like the “cheeses” in a Trivial Pursuit counter!  As a result, the rooms in these apartments are not square either. Spending 24 hours in the apartm...

I'm often asked if I can recommend a good builder. I always answer with another question. That’s because a recommendation for a good builder relates to all sorts of factors that are individual to you. Here are seven things that you should think about before you start looking for your perfect builder: 1. Is time or cost your top priority? A small builder might be cheaper than a larger company because they don’t have the overheads of a big firm, but they’ll probably take longer. That’s because they will rely more on subcontractors who might not be available at exactly the right time, and they don’t have the same influence over suppliers of materials. This can affect your building programme and slow down progress. There may be a knock-on effect – if you’re moving out of your house during the works, for example, the rent you pay adds to the overall cost. The longer you spend in temporary accommodation, the more it mounts up. A bigger contractor will often be able to respond ...

I’d go so far as to say the success of any architect’s design hinges on communication. A clear, shared understanding between you - the client and end user - and your architect, is crucial.  At an early stage of your project, you’ll meet with one or more architects to decide whether you want to work with them. The clearer you can be about what you’re trying to achieve, the better view you’ll get of how the architect would respond to your brief and whether their design approach and working style will work for you. From You Choose (Nick Sharratt) - a wonderful book for kids of all ages! Here are some of the things I suggest my clients might think about before that first meeting, or at a more detailed briefing meeting once they’ve appointed me. Some clients find it helpful to make notes in advance or create a rough written brief. Others like to show me pictures of styles, objects or buildings they relate to. Or it’s fine just to talk it through.  1. Think about wha...