Blackwell’s Bookshop in Broad Street, Oxford is for many a familiar and inspiring building and a source of knowledge for both student and mature reader alike. It has stood on this spot since the early 18th Century and is a Grade II Listed Building. Blackwell’s was founded here in 1879 by Benjamin Blackwell selling academic books from just one room. The classical front of Blackwell’s hides typical timber framed structures still being built in Oxford in the eighteenth century. Blackwell’s is still family owned and has many retail outlets across the UK.
We were engaged to oversee extensive repair and refurbishment works both externally and internally. We liaised closely with the Conservation Officer at Oxford City Council and the landlord’s surveyor to ensure the works were carried out sensitively and carefully to restore this wonderful building back to its former glory. External joinery to windows and doors, signage were carefully repaired, restored and redecorated, roof repairs and general internal repairs were also carried out. The whole façade was then redecorated to complete the restoration process. The project was completed on time and within budget.

Progress for the refurbishment of the centre continues at Slack near Halifax in West Yorkshire. Slack Top, a Christian activity and conference centre, is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and enjoys stunning views across beautiful countryside. The proposals for the refurbished centre are designed as a sensitive response to the building’s Grade II listed historic fabric. The new layouts will provide 6 ensuite bedrooms for 28 beds and 2 private apartments. The centre will also include a 96 seat conference space on the ground floor and a 45 seat meeting space on the first floor. The second phase of the work is due to start shortly with completion in the summer of this year.

Progress for the new photographic studios for Be Studios Ltd at Bawtry Hall is well under way with completion scheduled for March. It features a specialist infinity cove with curved walls around the studio to compliment the cutting edge design. The overall design concept is minimalist with careful selection of finishes and colours by our interior designer Inside Interiors Ltd. Be Studios Ltd is a creative agency covering sectors including the fashion and beauty industry, photography, graphic design, website design and content management. Check out their recently launched website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Client: Emmaus School

A small popular Christian independent school with a waiting list needing more quality teaching space. First of two phases to create a new classroom in sympathy to the Victorian architecture creating an interior to modern standards. Built on time and within budget, the finished classroom has proved popular with students and staff alike.

Client: Private Residential

A beautifully designed traditional ‘Georgian’ house set in a premier area of Newbury with large spacious rooms and a grand sweeping staircase to the first floor. A galleried landing opens up to a glazed roof lantern drawing natural light into the heart of the house. Careful selection of external materials with reclaimed clay terracotta plain roof tiles ensured that this grand house acquired that timeless appeal and gives the appearance that it has been standing on the plot for many years.

Client: Blackwell UK Ltd

Set within a stunning new mixed use building in the Portland Building at the University of Nottingham we designed and project managed this new Blackwell’s Bookshop fitout from concept to completion on a tight budget and programme. The design for this contemporary bookshop was part of a national ‘roll-out’ project which we were involved with managing design, cost and programme. Consultation and coordination with other consultants, the University Facilities Manager and client were key aspects of this project.

So what does the government class as development?  The Act states that “… ‘development’ is the carrying out of building, engineering, mining or other operations in, on, over or under land, or the making of any material change in the use of any buildings or other land…”  Development includes everything from building or extending a house, converting a barn, converting a house to a shop, adding an annexe, to fixing a sign to your shop.

Do you have to have planning permission for all types of building work?  It is safe to assume that all development needs planning permission, however, there are some exceptions.  As the volume of planning applications increased, the government devised a way of permitting certain types of development called “permitted development rights”.  These rights enable you to make minor changes to your house without the need to apply for planning permission.  You must check with your local planning authority as these rights are region specific and may have been withdrawn in your area.

For more information on the subject visit the Planning Portal website where you can find some helpful advice on planning permission and permitted development rights.  The website also includes a simple interactive guide: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/

If you would like advice on the planning process or any aspect of design in connection with your new build, alterations or refurbishment to your house, extension, shop, office or commercial property please contact us. Take a look at our projects for examples of work we have carried out.

The brief to design an eco friendly home on a tight budget and a constricted site. The many eco style features included a sedum green roof, solar heating, wood burner and underfloor heating with sustainable external materials. To create a light open plan layout that could be flexible and easily reconfigured in the future.

Click on this link to find out more: http://local.which.co.uk/article/?id=2315

‘This is a useful article to explain in layman’s terms what an Architectural Technologist is’ - Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

The article covers the following helpful questions:

-          What is an architectural technologist?

-          What can they do for me?

-          How can I find a reliable one and how should I best use them?

Work has now commenced on site with this exciting new project. Set in a small, sleepy Wiltshire village this Cotswold stone and slate roofed cottage sits comfortably within the street scene and is progressing well, with completion due in the Summer.