Anne's blog: From the architect's notebook

Photo by Anne: Havre des Pas, Jersey, 29th August 2019 Standing the test of time by the sea One of the pleasures of my job is that when a project is completed, I know that the building I see before me could be there for decades or longer. Some of the buildings that I work on have been around for centuries. But what makes a building withstand the tests of time? On holiday over the summer, I was inspired by a building originally constructed in 1895. It is a lido, built as a fashionable addition to a seaside resort in the late Victorian era, yet it feels modern and relevant to today’s holidaymakers and local residents alike.  I asked myself what characteristics contribute to its enduring effectiveness: 1. Flexibility and function The lido’s function is very specific: it forms a skeleton for activities that don’t differ so much today from over a century ago. Watching the sea, changing for swimming, having a drink, sitting around to observe the swimmers. The main...

8 things I learned from renovating and extending my own home It’s nearly five years now since the dust settled on a complete refurbishment and extension on my own house. But I still recall the experience regularly when I’m talking to clients about the process and complexities of extending a home. To accommodate the needs of my growing family (their physical size rather than an increase in numbers!) our choice was to move or to extend. This wasn’t the first extension I had made to my home, having built on an office for my business several years before.  But it would have a far greater impact: to allow a larger bedroom for my son, we had to rework a large part of the house and move the stairs to gain access to a new first floor space over the garage. In addition, we needed to be able to stay living in the house while the work was done, and my office had to be functional at all times to keep the money coming in to pay for it! My design didn’t create a huge area of extra spac...

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...