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Hot on the heels of the hugely successful Windsor Design Live 2023 events, we are delighted to share with you details of our next event – Thames Valley Build & Design Live, being held at the beautiful Easthampstead Park Hotel in Wokingham on Saturday 11th of May. Private homeowners, self-builders and independent developers will visit Thames Valley Build & Design Live because they want to learn more about the opportunities and challenges of property development from a host of specialist consultants and suppliers with extensive experience of these types of projects. The consultants and suppliers will be available throughout the day at Thames Valley Build & Design Live to provide lots of really useful information, advice and will answer your questions and address your concerns. This is an in-person event where you can book one-to-one meetings with the consultants and suppliers, or you can just turn up on the day. Consultants and suppliers you can meet include: • Architect • Planning consultant • Builder • Interior designer • Furniture designers and manufacturer • Garden & Landscape designer • Energy consultant • Smart home consultant Visit https://thamesvalleylive.com/ to find out more about the consultants and suppliers and to book one-to-one meetings on the day. They each bring specialist expertise and knowledge to the event and will answer all of your questions as well as provide brochures and information for you to take away. Easthampstead Park is one of Berkshire’s finest hotels and is set in 80 acres of woodland, parkland and formal gardens. There will be complimentary refreshments throughout the day. In attendance will be a wide range of consultants to help you every step of the way including architects, planners, builders, electricians, energy experts, landscape gardeners, interior designers & furniture designers.

The BSA has been a hot topic since it came into force in April 2022 and implemented in October 2023 albeit with some transitional arrangements. Architects must keep abreast of regulatory changes and much of the time this is fairly technical. Now and again there is new legislation that is so wide-ranging that we feel it’s important to ensure all our clients are aware of it. One such significant shift came with the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022. This legislation is designed to address concerns raised by tragic incidents like the Grenfell Tower fire. It has far-reaching implications for architects, their clients and the entire construction and property development sector. The Act came into force in April 2022 and implementation began last October. The Grenfell Tower disaster, which claimed 72 lives in 2017, highlighted critical flaws in existing safety protocols and brought into question the accountability of those responsible for ensuring building safety. The Act aims to rectify these shortcomings by imposing stricter requirements on building owners, developers, and architects to ensure the safety of occupants. The Act requires a revaluation of project management strategies and budget allocations. Compliance with the Act may mean additional costs and time constraints, particularly during planning and construction phases. Artichoke will work closely with our clients to navigate these challenges effectively. One of the key implications of the Act for clients, is the emphasis on accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle. Clients can expect greater scrutiny of building designs, materials, and construction methods to ensure compliance with safety standards. The Act introduces the concept of the "duty holder," placing specific responsibilities on individuals involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings. The Act also introduces a new regulatory framework for high-rise residential buildings, requiring the appointment of a Building Safety Manager and the development of a comprehensive safety case report. Clients undertaking projects in this sector must be prepared to allocate resources towards fulfilling these requirements and collaborating closely with architects to streamline the process. While the Building Safety Act 2022 presents challenges for architectural clients, it also offers opportunities for innovation and improvement within the industry. By prioritising safety and accountability, the Act lays the foundation for a more robust and resilient built environment. Clients as well as architects and other professionals, must embrace this shift and recognise it as a collective endeavour to safeguard lives and uphold the integrity of the built environment. By understanding and adapting to the requirements of the Act, architects and clients can navigate regulatory complexities more effectively and contribute to the creation of a safer, more sustainable built environment. We have produced a guide explaining our understanding of the Act and its implications, including a more detailed explanation of the responsibilities of a Duty Holders. Please contact us at office@arctichoke-design.co.uk if you would like a copy.