Artichoke Blog

Opening Up Architecture: Connecting People with Design in Berkshire

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:18:56 GMT

Images: all ai-generated from our School Pavilion project

Most people only work with an architect once or twice in their lives — often at important moments like extending a home or starting a self-build. It can be exciting, but also confusing. Drawings, regulations and technical language can make the process feel distant and difficult to navigate.

RIBA Berkshire is trying to change that.

This year, it is launching a programme of evening talks and building visits designed to bring architects and the public together — opening up the design process and making it more accessible, understandable and engaging.

Open to both professionals and non-architects, these events aim to demystify what architects actually do and explore how better collaboration from the outset can lead to stronger outcomes.

One of the committee members helping to shape the programme is a Senior Associate Architect at Artichoke. His involvement reflects a broader focus within the practice on clear communication, client engagement and innovation in the design process.

Opening Up the Conversation

For many people, working with an architect involves making big decisions about space, cost and long-term value — often without the tools or language to fully express what they want.

These events aim to bridge that gap.

By creating informal and accessible settings, they give people the chance to ask questions, explore ideas and better understand how architects think and work. The focus isn’t just on finished buildings, but on the process — how ideas develop, how constraints are managed and how collaboration shapes better results.

This reflects a wider shift in architecture toward greater transparency and client involvement.

Artichoke have always placed a huge emphasis on guiding clients through the design journey rather than simply delivering a product. The key being that good communication improves how clients understand what is going on, which reduces misunderstanding, improves trust and hence reduces their anxieties. And this is a large part of what the RIBA are trying to do.

Talks and Building Visits

The programme includes both talks and building visits, showcasing the breadth of contemporary practice.

Building visits allow people to experience projects first-hand, while talks explore topics such as sustainability, changing client expectations and new technologies. Importantly, these are open to the public — reinforcing the idea that architecture benefits from a wider conversation.

Exploring New Possibilities Through Technology

The first talk focuses on the role of artificial intelligence in early-stage design.

One of the biggest challenges for clients is translating ideas into something visual. AI-assisted tools are beginning to help bridge that gap, allowing architects to generate early imagery from simple prompts, sketches or photographs.

These are not final designs, but tools to support conversation — helping clients react, refine their ideas and build a clearer brief from the outset.

At Artichoke, this approach is already being used on live projects. On a current scheme for a small sports pavilion set within open playing fields, the key design driver is simple but important: how the building allows spectators to see the games happening around it.

The client was initially unsure whether to pursue a more straightforward, budget-led solution or to invest a little more in something more aspirational. Using AI-generated visuals, we were able to quickly explore both directions — testing ideas around form, openness, and how views out from the pavilion could be framed.

AI doesn’t design the building, but it helps move the conversation forward. With an understanding of the client, the site, and the structural possibilities, we can guide the prompts to generate useful, realistic imagery. This allows clients to react to something tangible early on, making decisions with more confidence and clarity.

For architects, technology enhances — rather than replaces — traditional skills. The goal remains the same: thoughtful design, clearly communicated.

The Role of the Architect Today

The programme also addresses common misconceptions about technology. AI is sometimes seen as a threat to creativity, but in practice it is simply another tool — supporting architects in interpreting ideas and responding to client needs.

By discussing these topics openly, RIBA Berkshire is helping to build a clearer understanding of what architects do today and how they add value throughout the design process.

Learning Through Shared Experience

A key strength of the programme is the exchange it creates.

Architects benefit from explaining their work more clearly, while the public gains insight into the complexity behind design decisions. This reinforces architecture as a collaborative process shaped by dialogue between clients, designers, consultants and planners.

Looking Ahead

RIBA Berkshire’s programme is a step toward making architecture more open and accessible.

By inviting people into the conversation earlier, it helps build trust, improve understanding and ultimately lead to better, more thoughtful design.

Because when clients and architects engage openly from the start, the results are almost always stronger — and more meaningful for everyone involved.

“We Thought We’d Save Money… Here’s What It Actually Cost Us.”

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:04:01 GMT

A client interview about building without detailed drawings or contract administration

At Artichoke, we don’t push our services and for some projects, Building Regulations information is enough, where the client has both experience and a competent builder.

Sadly, sometimes we get that call from a client after things have gone wrong.

Recently, a lovely client of ours generously agreed to share her experience of undertaking a “relatively simple” extension without:

• Detailed production drawings

• A formal tender process

• A proper building contract

• An architect acting as Contract Administrator

Her story isn’t about blaming anyone. It’s about process - and why it matters.

Q&A

Q: What made you decide not to appoint an architect to manage the build?

Client:

We felt it was a straightforward project — kitchen extension, some internal changes. We thought we could save money by not having full architectural drawings or someone overseeing the build weekly. The builder seemed confident and experienced and had been recommended.

Looking back, we underestimated how complex even a “simple” project becomes once work starts and just how many things there are to actually tie up.

Q: When did you first feel something wasn’t quite right?

Client:

Delays started early. Windows were months late. The skylight was boarded over for weeks. The house was insecure at times.

But what really concerned us was when we started reviewing the finish — we realised it wasn’t just snagging. There were things unfinished, incorrectly installed, or potentially unsafe.

Q: What kinds of issues arose?

Client:

There were dozens:

• Appliances not secured properly

• Sink only held in place with silicone

• Hob extracting into a cabinet and wall cavity

• Boiler flue incorrectly fitted

• Faulty air admittance valve (not compliant with Building Regulations)

• Cladding not finished properly

• Drainage incomplete

• Roof drain missing

• Skylight not installed

There were also safety and security concerns — the house left open, heating turned off without notice, keys left accessible.

What we thought would be a short snagging list became a long schedule of incomplete and unacceptable work.

Where Process Would Have Helped

1. Detailed Production Information

Without full construction drawings:

• Appliance housing dimensions weren’t properly coordinated

• Extract ventilation routes weren’t clearly defined

• Drainage details weren’t fully resolved

• Cladding interfaces lacked clarity

• Boiler clearances weren’t formally checked

Production drawings remove ambiguity.

They define responsibility.

They reduce interpretation on site.

When drawings are light, site decisions fill the gap – and those decisions aren’t always coordinated – or compliant.

Images above: examples of full electrical plans

2. Formal Tendering

If the project had gone through a structured tender process:

Programme commitments would be clearer
Subcontractor sequencing would be scrutinised
Window lead-in times factored into programme
Temporary weathering and security arrangements clarified
Site management expectations defined

Tendering isn’t just about price.

It tests competence, organisation and resource planning.

3. A Proper Building Contract

Without a robust contract:

Completion dates lack real teeth
Delay consequences are blurred
Standards of finish aren’t clearly benchmarked
Payment mechanisms don’t reflect progress
Variations become difficult to track

A contract protects both sides.

It creates a framework for solving problems before they escalate.

4. Independent Contract Administration & Weekly Site Meetings

This is where most issues could have been significantly reduced.

An architect acting as Contract Administrator would have:

Held weekly recorded meetings
Issued written instructions
Certified payments against progress
Identified non-compliant work early
Ensured Building Regulation compliance
Flagged unsafe installations immediately
Required proper temporary weathering
Maintained professional distance in disputes

Even with supervision, problems can occur.

But they are identified earlier.

They are documented.

And they are corrected before they compound.

Clients understandably struggle to “hold the line” with a contractor they are living alongside.

An architect does that professionally — and without emotion.

Q: What was the hardest part of the experience?

Client:

The stress.

You live in your home while things are incomplete. You don’t know whether something is cosmetic or unsafe. You feel out of your depth. And when I had to be away with work I dreaded coming back as I could not deal with anything while I was away.

Bringing in an independent industry expert later confirmed our concerns — but by then the relationship had broken down and I had paid for a lot of things already.

I wish we had that professional oversight from day one.

Q: What would you do differently?

Client:

I would invest in:

Full construction drawings
A proper tender
A formal contract
An architect attending site regularly

It may feel like an additional cost, but compared to delays, rectification work, stress and uncertainty — it would have been money well spent and probably not as much extra as I ended up spending.

Closing Reflections

This isn’t about criticising builders.

Most builders are great - but want and need clarity.

Clear drawings.

Clear responsibilities.

Clear contracts.

Where ambiguity exists, risk enters the project.

And risk usually lands with the homeowner.

Professional oversight doesn’t eliminate problems.

It significantly reduces them.

And when issues arise, it provides a structured way to resolve them.

Even on relatively straightforward projects, clarity and professional oversight matters.

Manor Farm Regeneration: Planning Application Finally Submitted

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:20:36 GMT

We are beyond delighted to share that the planning application for the regeneration of Manor Farm, Laleham has now been formally submitted after 5 years of grafting.

This marks a huge milestone in what has been one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding projects our practice has ever worked on.

An Opportunity and a Privilege

When we were first approached by Step Property almost five years ago, it was immediately clear that Manor Farm was a once-in-a-career project — a historic farmstead with five Grade II listed buildings, a sensitive Conservation Area setting, Green Belt & flood plain constraints, a struggling commercial yard and collapsing historic buildings that all urgently needed a coherent long-term vision and a strategy to achieve that.

To be entrusted with leading the design and coordination of such a significant site has been a genuine privilege, one which we have not taken lightly.

Five Years maintaining Momentum

Over the last five years, we have:

Navigated two full rounds of pre-application consultation liaising with Spelthorne Borough Council.
Lead a team of expert consultants to advise on heritage, ecological, highways, flood, structural and archaeological assessments (amongst others)
Managed the project through COVID and major economic fluctuations , keeping the team aligned and motivated
Refined the proposals through multiple design iterations , each responding to local authority, client, technical and conservation feedback
Kept the project moving as the historic buildings continued to deteriorate, making the need for a viable solution increasingly urgent

The dedication from every member of the team has been extraordinary — and speaks to the complexity and importance of the site.

Site Plan: before Site Plan: After

A truly Exceptional Client

One of the standout aspects of this project for us has been our client. Gary and Mark at Step Property , who have invested not only financially, but emotionally, in securing a future for this historic site. Their long connection to Laleham, and their determination to do things properly — not the quickest way, not the cheapest way — has shaped the entire direction of the project and the integrity of the design is a testament to this.

They could have pursued other strategies; instead, they were utterly on board with a heritage-led, landscape-sensitive, community-minded scheme.

A Remarkable Team Effort

This application represents the full coordination of a talented and collaborative group of specialists, each of whom has contributed significantly:

Planning Consultant – Andrew Black Consulting
Heritage Consultant – Heritage Fusion
Landscape Architects – EDLA
Highways & Flood Engineers – Motion
Ecology & Biodiversity Net Gain – Ecology by Design
Arboriculture – JN Tree Consultancy
Air Quality – Ardent
Sustainability – BlueSky Unlimited
Architectural Design & Lead Consultant – Artichoke Architectural Consultancy

Managing and integrating such a broad team has been a major undertaking, and we’re proud of how well everyone has worked together to shape the final vision.

A Heritage-Led Regeneration

The scheme delivers:

Full restoration of the Grade II listed farmhouse, barns, parlour and granary
Sensitive but modern extensions that allow viable reuse without harming heritage value
A redesign of the commercial yard , enlarging and replacing unattractive sheds with high-quality rural-industrial buildings with an architectural touch
A reduction in overall developed land, with a large increase in green space
Biodiversity-rich landscaping that repairs the site’s connection to the wider Green Belt

This is a proposal that will finally give Manor Farm the sustainable, long-term future it deserves.

Designed for the Next 100 Years, Not the Last 10

The vision from the outset was simple:

To create a financially viable, beautifully designed, heritage-respectful scheme that secures the future and local integration of this historic site for future generations.

With the planning application now submitted, we are one step closer to achieving that. We couldn’t be prouder of the collective effort that has brought us here — or more excited for the next stage of the journey — and ultimately seeing the development being built.

So - what are Artichoke’s highlights?

It’s hard to narrow down the highlights of the project are as there isn’t an aspect of the design that hasn’t been given deep and thorough thought and exploration to ensure an overall nit of everything on the site.

Because of the humility of the site, there are also no ‘showboat’ architectural features, rather sensitive but delightful details.

The site

Soft Landscaping

Of course we get excited about the buildings on the site, the historic farmstead and the commercial yard, which had to be woven together and work as a whole. Careful restoration of the historic elements and the sensitive design of extensions & new buildings. This could easily have failed were it not for the wonderfully sensitive backdrop of the landscaping created by EDLA Landscape Architects. It would have been easy either to overdo the landscaping or to make it generic. Their brief was the same as the one we imposed on ourselves, which is that whilst it is a historic farmstead and should absolutely integrate, it should be a modern design.

Hard Landscaping

In the same vain, we have very deliberately avoided overly formal or suburban surfacing. A hierarchy of tarmac, gravel, and simple paved access strips breaks down the scale of the yard and reinforces the rural character. The hard landscaping helps stitch the historic farmstead and commercial areas together, ensuring the architecture reads as one coherent place.

The Buildings

Across Manor Farm, we’ve designed buildings that don’t shout for attention but hopefully make you smile when you look closely. The approach has been simple: use authentic agricultural materials, then elevate them through precise, modern detailing.

Listed Farmhouse Extension

The form of the extension sits so comfortably against the original building that it has always been there. But look closer and a modern layer reveals itself: crisp inverted metal corner trims, frameless rooflights, and a gently recessed link that makes the relationship between old and new legible without competing with the historic fabric.

Listed Barns 1 & 2 Extension

The rear extension to these reconstructed barns follows the same principle. Clad in what appears to be simple vertical timber, the material wraps seamlessly up and over the eaves, concealing the gutter and simplifying the roofline. The result is a contemporary but sensitive addition that feels rooted in agricultural tradition, yet unmistakably modern in execution.

The Commercial Yard
All buildings use honest agricultural materials—timber, corrugated metal, brick plinths—but refined through architectural detailing. A signature feature that we particularly like is the coloured, protruding, pressed-metal frames around doors and windows. These subtle protrusions give each opening depth, rhythm and character, while also helping to differentiate one workspace from another. It’s a small detail that quietly transforms the entire yard.

If you’re considering a similar project…

Complex, multi-layered projects like Manor Farm require sensitivity, resilience, leadership and determination.

If you’re a landowner, developer or private client with a heritage, Green Belt, rural, or mixed-use site and would like to explore what’s possible, we would be delighted to talk.

Why Our Kickstarter Package Could Be The Smartest Investment You Make

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:13:16 GMT

In a climate of rising build costs, planning uncertainty and stretched budgets, clarity is everything.

Across the UK, many homeowners and small developers are pausing their plans. Construction costs are at record highs, planning requirements have become more complex, and professional fees are also increasing, so even a seemingly simple home extension or redevelopment is much more of a risk.

Possibly the greatest concern we hear is – “What if we spend thousands of pounds only to find out it’s not even possible?”

That’s exactly why we created the Kickstarter Package — our fixed-fee feasibility study that helps you to make informed decisions at a nominal cost in comparison to house purchases and developments.

What is the Kickstarter Package?

The Kickstarter Package is a design-led feasibility consultation that explores the planning, budget and design potential of your property.

For a modest, fixed fee (from £750 excl. VAT), our experienced architects help you understand whether your ideas are likely to be achievable, affordable, and aligned with current planning policy — saving time, stress and money later on.

You’ll receive clear answers to the key questions every homeowner faces:

Is planning permission likely to be granted?
What might the project cost?
How long could it take?
What could it look like?

What’s Included — and Why It Matters

Each element of the Kickstarter Package offers exceptional value compared with typical early-stage architectural or consultant fees.

1. Initial Consultation and Site Visit

We start with a detailed discussion about your goals & requirements — from extending your home to redeveloping a site or purchasing a property. Then we visit the site to review opportunities and constraints in person.

This early visit often uncovers crucial planning, drainage or design issues before you spend thousands on detailed drawings.

2. Planning Review and Policy Check

We research the site’s planning history , local development plan, and relevant designations such as Green Belt , conservation area , flood risk or ecological constraints .

This gives you a clear understanding of what’s likely to be supported, what’s challenging, what’s off-limits and what additional consultants you would need to employ — essential information before you buy or brief a designer.

New Paragraph

 3. Sketch Design Options

Our architects prepare hand-drawn sketch layouts or concept diagrams to show a single example how your brief could work on the site.

These sketches turn ideas into something tangible and help you visualise how your space might look and flow. Do bear in mind, if we’re appointed, we will prepare numerous options and develop them with you.

4. Budget and Cost Appraisal

We provide a summary cost range based on current construction rates, level of finish and scope of work — plus indicative professional fees and contingency.

When build rates will regularly exceed £2,000/m², this insight helps you decide whether a project makes financial sense before investing further.

5. Outline Programme and Process

You’ll receive an approximate project timeline , setting out realistic durations for surveys, design, planning approval, tendering and construction.

This helps you plan budgets and expectations while identifying potential bottlenecks.

6. Report and Recommendations

Everything is summarised in a clear, tailored Kickstarter Report , outlining next steps, key risks, and our recommendations for moving forward.

You’ll also receive a proposal for any subsequent design or planning stages — but with no obligation to proceed.

Why It’s More Relevant Than Ever

In 2025, property and construction decisions carry more risk than at any point in the past decade.

The Kickstarter Package offers a clear way to understand the risk of that decision — combining design, cost and planning expertise into one concise, affordable study.

It’s already proving invaluable for:

Pre-purchase due diligence — understanding what’s possible before buying.
Early-stage developers — assessing return on investment and planning risk.
Homeowners — exploring extension or renovation potential within budget.
Estate agents and advisers — offering clients informed property insights.

For less than the cost of a survey, you gain professional design advice, cost planning, and strategic guidance — and the ability to decide whether to pause, pivot or proceed with confidence.

Although the service is relatively new it has already been a huge help to many of our clients. In the vast majority of cases they have gone on to appoint us and progressed with the project. In some instances it has helped them to make the more difficult decision that a project is not right for them – fortunately only having invested a few hundred pounds rather than thousands.

Do you need help?

If you’re unsure whether your project is viable — or simply want peace of mind before spending thousands on design and consultant fees — our Kickstarter Package will give you a better idea of what might or might not be possible.

Please get in touch to book a consultation to discuss your property, plans and options with one of our architects who will listen to your requirements and explain how we can help.

Is It Still Worth Extending Your Home?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:42:06 GMT

The Challenges Facing Homeowners Today

For many families, extending or renovating their home has long been the dream solution — more space, a better layout, and a home that works for modern life. But in today’s climate, with projects in the £100,000–£300,000 range, things feel a lot more challenging.

So what’s changed, why is it harder, and how can you still make your project work?

The Main Challenges

• Planning is getting pricier – application fees are higher, and councils are demanding more specialist reports (heritage, ecology, flood risk, transport, sustainability).

• Build costs keep rising – materials and labour are much more expensive than even a few years ago.

• Tougher regulations – stricter building rules on energy efficiency, fire safety and accessibility add extra costs.

• Financing is harder – borrowing is still more expensive than it was pre-2022.

• Trades are stretched – good builders and subcontractors are in high demand, pushing prices and timescales up.

• Delays and uncertainty – planning decisions are taking longer, especially in sensitive areas like the Green Belt, Conservation Areas or with listed buildings.

• Budgets are squeezed – with the cost of living rising, homeowners are weighing up whether extending or simply moving makes more sense.

What This Means for Homeowners

A two-storey extension with a modern open-plan kitchen/dining space, or a loft conversion with en-suite could easily now have drifted from £150,000 into £250,000 or more once fees, surveys, and rising construction costs are factored in.

For some families, that leads to the question: should we move instead? Yet the costs of moving — stamp duty, agents, legal fees, removals — can also run into tens of thousands. Choosing between the two isn’t straightforward anymore.

How Artichoke Helps Clients Navigate This

At Artichoke, we’re not just about design (though of course we pride ourselves on creating beautiful homes). A fundamental part of our service is to make sure projects are viable from the very start .

Here’s how we do it:

Early viability checks – before you invest heavily, we help test the scope of the project against your budget (we can advise, but recommend investing in a quantity surveyor).

Trusted consultants on board early – we work with quantity surveyors, structural engineers, and mechanical & electrical consultants (and others if needed) to understand costs and technical challenges at the outset.

Adjusting scope early – if budgets are tight, we’ll reshape the brief to help you prioritise before drawings or permissions are locked in, saving stress and money later or having to redo things at a cost.

Smart design solutions – we use creativity to get more from less space, focusing on flow, natural light, and quality rather than sheer size. Sometimes adapting badly designed & extended homes is much more efficient & effective than extending.

Value engineering – by working collaboratively with contractors and consultants, we identify where savings can be made.

Honesty – we will be honest and try to help you be honest with yourselves to make the right decisions for you, even if it’s not what you’d hoped for.

This joined-up approach means our clients get realistic information at the right time. Surprises are minimised, and projects are set up to succeed OR you can make an early decision not to proceed, thereby minimising upfront time & financial outlay.

Case Study: The Coach House, Windsor

A recent project by the river in Windsor shows how this worked in practice.

At The Coach House , the clients came to us with a clear brief for what kind of development they wanted and an insight into their lifestyle & use of their home, but also a firm budget in mind. We began by exploring a wide range of concept designs , weighing the cost implications against the design benefits . Given economic uncertainties, they decided to significantly reduce their budget.

Working closely with our trusted consultants, we were able to highlight which elements of the brief carried the highest cost and which delivered the most value.

This meant some tough decisions had to be made but through a thorough and open process, the scope of the project was significantly reduced. Critically, the design retained the most essential aspects of the clients’ brief . The result was a project where the ambitions were distilled, the design was leaner, and the costs were brought under control.

Most importantly, the finished home delivered exactly what mattered most to the clients. The Coach House is now a home they love — proof that careful design and early and continued viability checks can achieve outstanding results, even when budgets tighten.

Conclusion

Yes, planning costs and build prices are rising, and yes, the process can feel daunting. But with the right strategy, projects in the £100,000–£300,000 range can still add huge value to your home and quality of life.

We combine early viability checks with great design to make sure your ambitions align with your budget. By working closely with trusted consultants and adjusting scope at the right time, we give our clients the best chance of achieving the home they want, without the risks spiralling out of control.

It’s harder than it used to be — but with good advice, careful planning, and a clear design vision, it’s far from impossible.

If you’re deliberating about whether to extend or improve your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you so we can start the honest conversations.

A Guest Blog with Mark Taylor Design

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:25:32 GMT

The Beauty of Bespoke: Craft, Creativity, Collaboration & Client-led Design

1. Tell us a little about Mark Taylor Design — how did it start, and what defines your approach to bespoke interiors and kitchens?

Mark Taylor Design was set up 29 years ago. I was trained in both furniture production and management and was also a keen designer. I had completed an MBA and wanted to apply all these skills to build a business, doing something I loved. I have always believed that you can design beautiful furniture and rooms without imposing a specific ‘look’. The company has built its reputation on listening to the ideas and desires of clients. We then help to steer their vision through space design, interior expertise and craft skills. What people have at the end of their design and build journey is their vision made beautiful – rather than ours.

2. What makes a truly successful kitchen or interior design in your view — and how do you balance aesthetics with day-to-day functionality?

There is nothing quite like the beauty of bespoke. Having something created to your specifications is arguably the epitome of modern luxury. Bespoke is most commonly used to refer to hand-made suits and shoes. Now the concept has become much more sought after within the world of interiors and design – with bespoke kitchens leading the way. And it’s not too hard to understand why. Bespoke means not having to compromise - getting exactly what you want and how you want it. It also allows you to unleash your imagination and embrace your creativity. The end result is a room that is crafted, in every way, to embrace your lifestyle and personal taste. Importantly, by incorporating some elements of bespoke furniture into a custom made kitchen it’s possible to give people a unique room without breaking the bank. This could be a bespoke island or dresser for instance. By combining bespoke and custom made you can optimise the space so that the end result flows smoothly and looks amazing too.

3. How do you typically collaborate with architects on a project? What makes those relationships work well?

Collaboration early on always helps. We ask architects not only about style and budget but also about the client’s favoured ways of working. Ideally, we like to meet the clients with the architect from the outset. Where this isn’t possible, we at least aim for a walk round the space or a chat through all the plans – even for the areas we might not be designing for, as this gives us a more comprehensive understanding of the clients’ vision.

4. What value do you think clients get when they bring in both an architect and a bespoke designer early in the process?

Bespoke interiors are all about partnership and a shared vision. At Mark Taylor Design, clients are invited to participate fully in every aspect of the interiors journey – and that includes seeing their bespoke kitchen being made. We welcome our clients to our factories. They are partners, every step of the way. If they have an interest in the manufacturing process, we are of course happy to share it with them. We meet clients, see the space (or potential space), and listen to what they want. We learn about the way they live, their lives and provide some early design concepts. Once we’ve received feedback, we create technical drawings and illustrations. We want our clients to be fully involved in commenting, evolving and finalising these designs. What they have at the end of the process must be what they expect - OR BETTER!

5. Can you describe a recent project where you worked alongside Artichoke? What made it successful?

A recent project was an old coach house where every wall in the new space was at slightly different angles. Artichoke were very receptive to us building on their great designs and suggesting a small extension to the nib so that we could incorporate a specific pantry unit into our design - something the client really liked. We also repositioned a window to embrace the symmetry of the kitchen design. Again, artichoke were happy collaborators with us on making this adjustment. neither we nor they were protective over tweaks to either of our designs. Our joint priorities are the clients’ perfect end results and working together throughout the project made left both teams with very happy clients.

6. What materials or finishes are you particularly excited about at the moment, and why?

Matt finishes are interesting. Work surfaces are still matt finished in many cases. Ceramic work services are also exciting. They are durable, aesthetically pleasing and don’t stain. They cope with very hot pans and plates better than services such as melamine or even quartz. Metal finishes are also interesting at the moment. Sinks and taps are coming in so many more finish and colour options, meaning they can be matched with light fittings, door handles and knobs so that the room has coordinated look and feel. Finally, a word about pink kitchens. They are definitely current and we see them everywhere in advertising and in showrooms. How long this trend will last isn’t clear, and some are much more pleasing than others, but it’s certainly a bold choice. It’s nice to see something other than blue and green being used, certainly.

7. What common mistakes do you see homeowners make when planning kitchens or interior spaces — and how can they avoid them?

Everybody wants an island, and while in most cases they work well, sometimes we have to talk to people about the space and flow compromises islands can create, especially in smaller or less standard shaped kitchens. On occasions, a peninsula or even nothing at all, can make for a more useful and usable kitchen, and one that doesn’t look over furnished. With bathrooms, there are always plumbing restrictions and moving a loo to the other side of the room might be a very expensive and very intrusive job – or even one that can’t be done. Whenever we work on a bathroom, we check this out early on to avoid creating an unachievable design.

8. What advice would you give to someone planning a major renovation or new build project?

In the current climate, the first thing to take into account is the budget. Building and materials have never been more expensive and there are really exciting ways of working within budgetary constraints as long as the architect, the interior designer and the joiners all work together from the very early stages. Managing clients’ expectations and encouraging them to spend their money where something is really important to them, and saving it where it isn’t, sounds obvious but is often the key to a successful project and a happy client.

To see more of our projects and to discuss a (bespoke) project with us, please do visit our website and get in touch https://marktaylordesign.co.uk/

The Architecture of Relaxation: Designing Spaces That Feel Like a Holiday

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:14:15 GMT

The Architecture of Relaxation: Designing Spaces That Feel Like a Holiday

It’s summer holiday season — and as clients return from coastal cottages, mountain cabins, or sun-drenched villas, one theme keeps coming up: “How can I bring this feeling home?” That sense of ease, simplicity, and quiet joy isn’t just about being away—it’s about how those spaces are designed. At Artichoke: Architectural Consultancy, we help clients capture that same serenity in their everyday environments, with thoughtful design that’s tailored to how they live.

Restful spaces aren’t created by chance. They’re the result of purposeful decisions—about layout, light, flow, and function. And often, it’s the small, well-considered changes that make the biggest difference. With decades of experience navigating UK planning, building regulations, and complex design briefs, we know how to deliver spaces that feel effortless, yet are deeply intentional.

A calming home doesn’t need to be minimalist or expensive—it needs to be clear. That might mean reconfiguring a hallway to reduce visual clutter, introducing built-in storage to keep surfaces free, or designing a garden connection that invites you to step outside. These aren’t grand gestures—they’re subtle shifts that support a more peaceful way of living.

Previously, on projects such as Halfacre (pictured below) we have found that storage, in particular, plays a quiet but very powerful role. When clutter is tucked away with care, rooms feel lighter, more spacious, and more welcoming. We design storage that’s integrated, intuitive, and tailored to your lifestyle — so your home supports simplicity without sacrificing function.

On a project like Queensacre (below) it shows how we take a holistic approach, considering both the architecture, the site and the lived experience. How does the sun move around the site throughout the day? How does the house relate to the garden? What function does the garden need to provide as an “extension of the house’s living space? Using our expertise and experience, we created a relaxed, cosy and bright external entertaining space away from the house whilst making the most of the sun throughout the day.

Our role is to help you see the potential in your home—and to realise it with clarity, care, and compliance. Whether you're planning a full refurbishment or just want to reclaim a sense of calm, we’re here to guide you through every step.

Good architecture Isn’t just about the shape of buildings, it’s how you feel in them.

If you’re ready to bring a little holiday serenity into your everyday space, get in touch, we'd love to start the conversation.

Should we save or borrow for our extension?

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 08:38:50 GMT

Should we save or borrow for our extension?

Like many, I am generally a saver rather than a borrower by default.

A client recently told us that they planned to delay their project, so that they could save the additional money they needed to be able to do the extension that they really wanted, rather than compromising. Wisely they had asked us to carry out a costing exercise, so they knew this and could assess the situation and plan for it.

In that instance they had £75,000 and needed save roughly another £25,000 to do what they wanted to do, which they thought they might be able to do over the course of 3-4 years.

Their question was actually when they should resume the process, which we answered and I suggested that they give themselves a year to be comfortable to get planning, building regulations and find themselves a builder (it’s always better to allow more time than less!).

However, it occurred to me that whilst saving rather than borrowing (in my mind at least) is an admirable and patient approach, it made me wonder what other factors should be considered.

COST OF BORROWING

The main one of these was inflation and the increase in materials, labour costs and fees. Even taking a conservative 3-4% annual increase (realistically 4-7%), or a 10-15% increase over 4 years, on a build of £100,000, this would equate to increased costs of around £10,000-£15,000.

COST OF DELAYING

If we assume our client borrows £25,000, at 6% over 4 years, this equates to £3,200 in interest.

Based on this and some (reasonable?) assumptions and purely financially, it would make sense to borrow rather than save.

OTHER BENEFITS

Other factors to consider are:

- Additional time the family will have in the improved property

- Other things adversely affecting the viability of the project

This is obviously a very simplistic view and based on several assumptions. However, the aim of the blog is to highlight that in the same way that we try to think creatively about the designs we do for our clients, we will always try and offer general advice and guidance; we’re not just an office of architects, we’re an office of people with families, homes and mortgages. This helps us be better architects because we have better empathy, giving us a better understanding of how to help our clients projects be successful for whatever their specific requirements are.

If you have a project but are in two minds what to do, please do get in touch and we’d be delighted to discuss it with you.

How good advice can pay for itself...and then some

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:42:16 GMT

Could you avoid having to pay 20% extra?

When you're planning a new build, a renovation, or a quirky conversion project you've been dreaming about, there’s one aspect that might not make your heart race like the design itself—VAT. Yes, VAT might sound as thrilling as watching paint dry, but believe me, getting it right can make a significant difference to your overall budget.

So, why should you care about VAT?

At Artichoke, we are not just here to design good architecture — we are also here to ensure everything from design to delivery is as smart and cost-effective as possible. In some cases, VAT is a hidden savings opportunity. By understanding exactly how VAT applies to each part of your project, we might be able to help make sure you put your money into the right places on a project. And with a trusted team of consultants, including a Quantity Surveyor and a VAT specialist, we'll be well-equipped to secure savings that might just cover all our fees (and perhaps even fund that bit extra for those quirky design touches our clients love).

Let’s take a quick look at some common VAT opportunities:

• New Build Dwellings – 0% VAT (Zero-rated):

When you're constructing a completely new residential home—even if we keep a few charming features like the façade or party walls intact—the project could qualify for a zero VAT rate.

• Renovation of Empty Homes – 5% VAT (Reduced rate):

If your property has been unoccupied for at least two years before the work starts, the renovation might be eligible for a reduced 5% VAT rate.

• Conversions – 5% VAT (Reduced rate):

Turning one home into two (or the other way around) or converting a non-residential building (say, an old office or barn) into a cosy home can also save you a bit on VAT.

• Energy-Saving Materials – 0% or 5% VAT:

Thanks to recent UK legislation, most energy-saving improvements like insulation, heat pumps, or solar panels installed in a residential setting usually attract a 0% VAT rate—though sometimes it might be 5% depending on specifics.

• Adaptations for Disabled Persons – 0% VAT (Zero-rated):

Any modifications made to help a disabled person can make the VAT bill disappear entirely (well, not actually vanish, but zero-rated, which is just as good).

• For Businesses and Developers:

If you're VAT-registered—whether as a business or developer—you might reclaim VAT on various building works and professional services (yours truly, the architect, included!).

• Grant Schemes and Self-Builds:

There are also a couple of schemes out there where, either through grants or self-build VAT reclaims, you could see even more savings—sometimes effectively reducing your VAT cost to zero.

How do we help?

These not-so-obvious savings don’t just happen by accident. VAT rules are a bit like a maze—get one twist wrong and you might miss a golden opportunity. That’s where we can help:

Drafting Spot-On Documents: we will ensure our planning documents clearly spell out the nature of the work, which is key to qualifying for reduced or zero VAT rates.

Smart Contract Structuring: We can advise on contract details so that every line item—be it a wall, window, or even that snazzy piece of bespoke furniture—is invoiced in the way the VAT man wants it.

Team Up with the Experts: Working hand in hand with quantity surveyors and VAT specialists, we’ll make sure every element, from the major structure down to the finishing touches, is eligible for the best possible VAT treatment.

Smooth Operator with Stakeholders: Whether we’re chatting with contractors, suppliers, or even with HMRC, we ensure everyone’s on the same page so that your project stays on budget.

In short, our role as your architect isn’t just about drawing plans—it's about being your project’s savvy strategist. With a clear design and an eye for every cost-saving detail (including VAT), we can unlock extra savings that might just pay for our services, leaving you more room in your budget for the things you love.

So, are you ready to make every pound count and turn your project into a masterpiece that’s as smart as it is beautiful? Please get in touch and we can chat more about how we can build not just a home, but a financial plan that works as hard as you do!

Let us know if you would like to discuss this further over a coffee—or perhaps over some more design ideas?

Guest Blog: What makes a Great Architect (& why it matters for your family home)

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Tue, 20 May 2025 15:21:10 GMT

Guest Blog by Martin King, Director & Owner of The King Brothers Builders & Decorators, serving Windsor for over 25 years

Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with many architects on residential projects across Windsor and beyond. Some collaborations stand out — not just for the results, but for the journey we take together with the architect and the client. And if there's one thing we've learned, it's this: the quality of your architect doesn't just affect drawings and design. It shapes your entire experience as a homeowner.

So, what makes an architect good to work with? And why should it matter to you as a residential client? Here’s our take — drawing on decades of experience and a particularly valued partnership with the team at Artichoke .

1. Clear, Considered Design That Works in the Real World

It’s easy to be wowed by a glossy design on paper — but the real test is how well that design comes together on site. The best architects don’t just create something that looks good in a portfolio. They design spaces that feel right , work well , and reflect how families actually live .

Artichoke are a great example. Their designs are not only amazing — they’re deeply thoughtful. We’ve had clients pause during site visits to comment on how right the proportions feel, how naturally the light falls, and how every part of the layout seems to anticipate their daily routine.

It makes our job as builders a pleasure — and it gives families a home that genuinely enhances their day-to-day life.

2. Drawings That Speak for Themselves

Nothing slows down a site — or adds hidden costs — like unclear drawings. The best architects give us the clarity we need to keep things moving smoothly, safely, and accurately.

One of the things we value most about working with Artichoke is the clarity and completeness of their drawings . From structural details to finishes, everything is laid out with care and precision. That means fewer questions for the client, fewer delays on site, and far less risk of costly misinterpretation.

When drawings are this clear, you don’t have to keep ringing your architect or making decisions under pressure — it’s all been thought through ahead of time.

3. A Relationship Built on Trust and Communication

A long-standing working relationship between builder and architect is something no client can buy — but they benefit from it immensely.

We’ve worked with Artichoke on numerous projects over the years, and that mutual trust makes a huge difference. Communication is quick, problems get solved collaboratively, and we’re always pulling in the same direction. That means less stress for clients and a more enjoyable build all round.

It also allows us to head off potential issues before they arise — because we know how they work, and they know how we build.

More Benefits for Homeowners: Why the Right Architect Pays Off

When you choose a good architect — like the team at Artichoke — you're not just buying a design. You're investing in:

Peace of mind. You’re not being constantly bombarded with decisions or left to second-guess site details.
Efficient timelines. Fewer revisions, clearer drawings, and smoother communication mean your project stays on track.
Cost control. Good drawings reduce site errors — and that helps protect your budget.
Better long-term value. Thoughtful design means your home will stand the test of time — functionally and aesthetically.

In Summary

A good architect isn’t just a creative mind — they’re a cornerstone of a successful build. As builders, we love working with architects who respect the realities of site work while pushing for the best possible outcomes for the client.

That’s exactly what we get with Artichoke . Great design. Clear documentation. Easy, honest collaboration. And most importantly, happy homeowners at the end of it all.

If you’re planning a residential project — especially one that’s going to be a long-term family home — choosing the right architect is just as important as choosing the right builder. Choose wisely, and the process can be as rewarding as the result.

So please do get in touch if you’d like to speak to The King Brothers or Artichoke, who would love to discuss your ideas and questions with you.

http://www.thekingbrothers.co.uk/

Butterflies, Brickwork & Biodiversity: Why Building in Windsor Just Got More Interesting

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:27:29 GMT

Butterflies, Brickwork & Biodiversity: Why Building in Windsor Just Got More Interesting

If you’ve ever tried to extend your kitchen in Windsor and been met with more red tape than a royal ribbon-cutting, you’ll know this area isn’t exactly straightforward when it comes to building projects. Listed buildings, conservation areas, green belt, flood plains—and now, just to keep us all on our toes— biodiversity net gain . Yes, that’s right. The butterflies are now part of the planning process.

And we’re absolutely here for it.

We’re a small, design-obsessed architectural practice in Windsor, and we love a challenge. If your project comes with layers of complexity, maybe a 300-year-old wall or a site that’s prone to the odd flood, then you’re speaking our language. We’ve spent years navigating the quirks of this patch of Berkshire, and we know how to make the tricky stuff feel like the exciting stuff.

So if you’re thinking of building, extending or reimagining your home (or even your business), let’s talk about why now is actually a brilliant time to get going—and how the new planning rules might just be the thing that pushes your project from good to gorgeous.

What on earth is Biodiversity Net Gain?

Let’s start with the buzzword: Biodiversity Net Gain , or BNG to those in the know. As of 2024, new developments in England (yes, even the small ones!) have to leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before.

In simple terms, if you knock down a shed and build a garden office, you might also need to give something back to nature—think wildflower beds, hedgehog highways, green roofs, bird boxes, ponds… that kind of thing. And the aim is not just to replace what was lost, but to increase biodiversity by at least 10%.

The government has officially asked us all to get a little greener—and in a town as leafy and heritage-laden as Windsor, that’s actually a lovely thing.

What does that mean for your dream extension?

Well, don’t panic. You’re not going to have to turn your back garden into a nature reserve. But it does mean the design process now includes a bit more imagination and a lot more collaboration with nature.

For us, it’s like being handed a new palette of materials—only this time the materials are living, breathing, and occasionally fluttering.

We might be talking about:

Planting native species in your landscaping (the kind the bees actually like)
Installing green roofs that soak up rain and look brilliant from above
Creating little corridors for wildlife to move through (so the hedgehogs can get to their Friday night pub, presumably)
Using permeable surfaces to reduce flood risk while still looking sharp

It’s a challenge, yes. But it’s also an opportunity to make every project that bit more thoughtful—and beautiful.

Why this is actually good news for Windsor

Let’s be honest—this area is full of hoops to jump through when it comes to planning. But BNG actually fits in quite nicely with the way we already work.

Here’s why:

We already love working with heritage – Listed buildings don’t scare us. We know how to celebrate old features while sneaking in modern comforts and wow-factor spaces.
We’ve got the green stuff down – With years of experience building in the green belt and flood-prone zones, we’re no strangers to weaving nature into the design.
We believe in better – Whether it’s your forever home or your first leap onto the property ladder, we think good design should improve everything it touches: the lives inside the building, the neighbourhood it sits in, and now—the environment too.

And let’s not forget—Windsor is special. We’ve got a town full of character, history, and people who genuinely care about where they live. So making things just a little bit wilder, greener, and more alive? It feels like exactly the right direction.

But isn’t this going to make things harder?

Well… maybe a little.

You will need to work with someone who understands the new rules and can guide you through them without the process feeling like an uphill battle with a clipboard-wielding bureaucrat.

But here’s the thing—we’re already doing this. We’re already weaving these ideas into our designs, already chatting to ecologists and planners, already sketching up ways to turn “requirements” into design features you’ll actually love.

Think: a living wall on your new garden room, or a hidden bin store that doubles as a bug hotel. (Yes, that’s a thing. And yes, it can look great.)

So… what kind of projects are we excited about?

If you’ve got a listed cottage in a conservation area that needs a contemporary extension—let’s talk.

If you’ve got a patch of green belt and a wild dream of a modern eco home—call us.

If you’re a local business owner looking to build something bold but sensitive to its surroundings—we’re in.

And if you’re just not sure where to begin, but you know you want a team who cares about getting it right—not just for the planners, but for the people and the planet—we’d love to help.

Final thoughts (and an open invitation)

Building in Windsor isn’t always straightforward, but that’s what makes it brilliant. There’s a richness to the fabric here—a layered history, a complex geography, a deep connection to landscape and place. And now, there’s a renewed call to design in harmony with the natural world.

If that sounds like your cup of tea (preferably sipped in a light-filled extension overlooking a wildflower garden), then let’s chat.

We’re here to help you navigate the quirks, embrace the challenges, and create something truly special.

And who knows? You might even make a hedgehog happy in the process.

Get in touch

We're a friendly bunch, and we’d love to hear what you’re planning. Whether it’s a single-storey extension, a new home, or something totally unexpected—we’re all ears. And sketchbooks. And strong tea.

National Careers Week - St Edwards School Success!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 11:46:44 GMT

National Careers Week - St Edwards School Success!

We were delighted to have been invited to host a stand at a careers’ event that St Edwards Royal Free Middle School in Windsor held for their pupils.

This is by far the youngest audience we’ve had at a careers event (9-13 years old), so we thought we’d win their interest with two screens running through virtual and physical fly throughs of our most exciting project. We were feeling confident that this would catch their eyes.

Pupils came into the hall one class at a time, perhaps daunted by what they had been told to do but wide-eyed and curious. Then like a pack – they sped across the hall and swarmed around the table in the corner.

What we hadn’t factored was that there would be a catering company with a double stand opposite us – piled high with giant chocolate cookies!

Nevertheless, once they’d seen to their bellies, their minds were next and then there was plenty of interest in what Artichoke had to offer.

Not surprisingly at that age, the vast majority of the kids had no idea and no care about their future career – quite right – they should be playing and smiling, just learning to be and to get on with people.

We had prepared videos, slide shows, images and print outs to summarise what we do, how we do it and what kids might want to think about if they’re considering architecture. The event format was very fast-paced so the reality was that most of them enjoyed and enthused about the videos we were playing and asked some generic questions that they had been told to ask. We ensured we answered every question with sincerity as they might seem simple but for them even the act of asking any question can seem very daunting, so we wanted to show our respect and appreciation to ensure that they saw the value in their effort.

Aside from these, there were some particularly memorable questions, from some amazingly engaging and bright kids, which are really worth sharing. Below they are along with the answers I gave. There were some that related specifically to architecture and some that were more general. I don’t remember my exact answers but have summarised (and added to) them, to make the most of the questions. I will also be sharing the blog with the school in case they decide that the pupils might be interested.

Specific to architecture

Q - What subjects do I need to become an architect?

A - For the traditional route (there are others) the recommendation is GCSEs including English, Maths and a science; & 3 A-Levels with suggested subjects being: Maths, Physics, Art & Design, Design & Technology.

Essentially, a combination of logic, physical materials and creativity.

When I realised I had an interest in architecture as a career (after A-Levels), what I hadn’t realised was the necessity for a creative subject. I had always doodled,

sketched, made models and made things in my dad’s shed but had never had any formal artistic qualification. So for me it meant doing a Foundation Course in Art and Design to make me eligible for an architecture degree.

Soft skills that are hugely beneficial are hugely beneficial are empathy and good communication.

If you can’t understand what your clients want (including the things they don’t explicitly express) and communicate your ideas effectively, the relationship can quickly break down, leading to frustration.

If you can’t understand what your clients want (and the things they don’t necessarily tell you they want!) and have discussions with them about what you’re proposing or how you’re proposing to do it the relationship can very quickly break down and end in frustration.

Q - What’s the best bit about being an architect?

A - For me, there isn’t one thing, there are a couple that stand out:

1. The challenges. There is nothing as satisfying as having a problem, scratching your head and trying different solutions and iterations until you have the light bulb moment. I think it’s something that we need as a species; we climb mountains, we run marathons, we generally like to prove to ourselves that we can overcome adversity – whatever form that takes.

2. Satisfied clients. When their project is finished, the planning pain is a distant memory (nightmare!), the diggers & builders are gone and you’re having a cup of tea (or a G&T;) with a client and they say “Thank you Artichoke, it’s so much better than we had imagined it would be!” Goose bumps.

Q - What’s the worst part about being an architect?

A - People & things going wrong. Their knowledge and experience are all so different that you constantly have to think what their needs might be. This really goes back to the first question, the better you are at empathising, understanding and communicating the better your chances of avoiding misunderstanding. When you’re dealing with people and their hard-earned money is involved, everything is multiplied. Empathy is then also critical when things do (very rarely) go wrong. People have put their trust in you so it’s reasonable for you as the expert to understand that they are not and to try your best to put yourself in their shoes and to understand why they might be upset. Doing that will always put you in a better position to find your way through disagreements.

Q - What’s the best building you’ve ever designed?

A - That’s easy, although sadly this one was not built, but whenever the client sees social posts of our design they say how much they loved it and how sad they are that they couldn’t build it in the end. We used to call it ‘The one that got away!’

Here it is if you want to have a look (and images below):

https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/la-extension-design

It was in the early days of Artichoke and was a project where we got totally carried away and spent way more time on it than we were being paid for.

When I first showed the client what we’d designed for them, they were really disappointed – I had wrongly assumed that, a 60-something lady who ran a practice of lawyers, would want a traditional extension to match the house. I was actually delighted when she said how far off the mark we were as what she actually wanted had the prospect of being such an exciting and beautiful building.

Basically, because I was much younger and not as confident about my ability at the time, I approached other award winning architects and asked them if they’d be happy to give me their thoughts on the design as I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. It was great to hear their thoughts and I wasn’t too proud to take on board some of their comments. We’re always learning and what would have been the point of asking if I ignored what they said?

Oh, what do I love about it? Several things. Most importantly, it does what the client wanted it to do. The very modern design contrasts and harmonises with the existing Victorian house. We had to spend a lot of time convincing the planning authority that this would be a good thing to allow in their conservation area. That wasn’t that hard in the end as we’d spent SO much time on it that I genuinely don’t think we could have done anything to make it any better or more beautiful than it was.

I actually wrote another blog about ‘Being Brave’ which features the design and maybe touches on why this is my favourite design.

https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/be-brave

Sorry, I probably got a bit over excited and went on a bit there! Still utterly love this design and am waiting for another client who shares this client’s passion for great design.

General Careers

Q - What does your company do to help staff with autism?

A - I was completely honest and said that I had not been expecting that question and that we hadn’t had to consider it. However, with every client and every employee, the most important thing to do first is to listen and to understand their needs. Then we can be in the best position to try and help in whatever way fits them.

Q - What would your best careers advice be?

A - What a great question. For me that was also simple. Imagine how much time you spend at school, maybe 6 hours a day from the age of 5 to the age of 18, that’s 13 years. If you retire at 67, then that’s 54 years of your life working, that’s more than 4 times as long as you spend at school. Do something that brings you joy.

There were a lot of other really good questions, we can’t share them all but I hope that the ones we have shared will be interesting and helpful. As we said on the day, we’d be delighted to answer any questions any budding architects might have, so please do get in touch.

My wife seems still to know lots of local parents and after the event she said that two of them had sent her messages saying that their children had come home and enthused about having spoken to Chris at Artichoke and wanted to pass on their thanks.

I feel very lucky to have stumbled into a career that is not only fun but rewarding and helps people to fulfil their dreams but at a much more fundamental level you are responsible for shaping the built environment in which we all live and work; not just inside the buildings but at on the streets we also inhabit. From the privilege and responsibility comes the desire to share what we do, how we do it and why. And what better way to affect the future than to try and inspire the people that will be shaping it.

From Concept to Completion - how long will my project take and what's involved?!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:54 GMT

From Concept to Completion - how long will my project take and what's involved?

People are often quite surprised at the time it takes (and no amount of forewarning prepares them for dealing with local authorities)!

Embarking on an architectural project is an exciting yet daunting prospect and understandably, one of the most frequent questions we get when speaking with new or potential clients is “how long will the whole process take?!”.

As every project is unique, so is the timeline. Projects vary in scale, brief, budget and location and timelines will be adjusted to suit this. Following our recent post about planning fees and timescales https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/planning-fees-to-increase , this post walks you through our typical phases of a residential architectural project, provides timescales for each phase and hopefully encourages you to jump into your project with confidence (leaving yourself plenty of time)!

Phase 0 – Initial Consultation (1-2 weeks)

The journey begins with your initial vision for the project – this might be high-level or detailed (or you may have no idea how to get to what you want) – and your engagement with an Architect and/or other professionals.

At Artichoke, we will arrange an initial visit to discuss the project and will hopefully come armed with a good understanding of the site (based upon a preliminary desktop review) to answer any burning questions you may have.

During this phase, there are several key steps involved:

• Project Brief Creation: We will work with you to define the goals and scope of the project. This involves discussing your vision, budget and expected timeline so that we can advise accordingly.

• Initial Design Discussions: Early design ideas are often explored from the offset. As Architects, we are excited by design, and we will likely use this initial site visit to give our first thoughts about what might be achieved and the routes forward.

• Fee Proposal: Considering our discussions, Artichoke will then produce a detailed fee proposal setting out our services, which are tailored to your needs.

Phase 0 – Kickstarter Package / Feasibility (+4-6 weeks)

• Feasibility: Depending on the complexity of the project, we may propose that we conduct a feasibility study to determine whether your vision is likely to be viable within the constraints of the site and budget. We have setup our ‘Kickstarter Package’ https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/kickstarter , for a fixed fee for those clients who might benefit from a high-level initial assessment.

Phase 1 - Survey and Design Sketches (+4-12 weeks)

The pre-construction phase is typically the longest and most involved part of the design process as you navigate through the design and statutory approvals. We have broken this down into Phases 1-3 with Phase 1 being the first step forward:

• Measured Survey: we will need measurements and critical information about the site to produce a set of existing drawings (floor plans, elevations and sections). Depending on the scale and complexity of the project, we may carry out the survey ourselves or outsource TO a surveyor to do this on our behalf.

• Design Sketches: this is where the fun begins! We find that the best and quickest way to consider your design options is to produce a series of hand sketches. This is where we can provide our clients with ideas that may push the limits of their imagination. We welcome an open dialogue to ensure that our clients can voice their opinions (good and bad!) so that the final product is exactly as they desired.

The first set of designs will be presented to you in person so that we can take on board all feedback and alter the drawings for your final sign off.

Images above show (from left - right) Phase 1A Existing Drawings (Survey); Phase 1B Sketch 3D; Phase 1B Sketch

Phase 2 - Pre-Application Advice (+4-6 weeks)

Occasionally, we may deem it wise for projects to get planning advice from the local authority (LA) in advance of a formal planning application. This may be obtained via a ‘pre-application advice’ service offered by many councils. Although this adds time and fees, this process ensures that we can address any of the LA’s concerns hence that the LA are broadly in agreement with the proposals so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises when formally submitting a planning application.

The timeline for this process is bound by the council’s timescales and efficiency – most offer a turnaround of approximately 1 month but this might vary.

Phase 2 – Planning (+10-14 weeks)

Once you are happy with the proposals, we will prepare and submit a planning application to the local authority for approval - our turnaround is typically 2-4 weeks. As before, we are bound by the council’s timescales and efficiency and the LA typically take 8 weeks to review and approve/refuse from the date of initial validation (i.e. acknowledgement of receipt).

If the project is complex, a listed building or located within a conservation area then the LA may require longer to consider the proposals.

We will manage the application so that any questions from the case officer are answered efficiently and to supply any additional information that might be required.

Once you have planning permission for the works, it is worth noting that this permission is valid for 3 years from the date of approval until you have made a meaningful start on site.

Images above show (from left to right) Phase 2 - Planning Elevation & Phase 2 Planning Ground Floor Plan

Phase 3 – Building Regulations (+6-10 weeks)

With planning approval obtained, we can then proceed full steam ahead with the technical design to provide you with building regulations approval . These drawings will contain the basic information needed that will explain how the building is going to be constructed to meet building regulations.

At this stage, a Structural Engineer is likely to be required, and they will have their own timescales for preparing drawings and documentation - typically around 3 weeks.

Artichoke will manage and submit a full plans application via the local authority or via an approved inspector. A designated building control officer will conduct a desktop review of all drawings and documentation and issue (hopefully!) conditional approval after approximately 5 weeks. Your builder will then liaise with the building control officer to arrange several site inspections as the works commence and progress on-site.

It is worth noting that in some instances, depending on the complexity of the project, further third-party information may be required. This will add additional time and cost. An example would be SAP calculations if a proposed extension has more than 25% glazing-to-floor area.

Note: Phase 0-3 are suggested as a minimum level of service for typical traditional projects where the contractor takes construction and design responsibility for the specification, detailing, cost control and project management of the project from this point onwards.

Phase 3A – Build Cost Assist (+4-6 weeks)

We recognise that some small projects or experienced clients may not need a full set of production information but may still want more than a basic set of building regulations information.

We have developed our ‘ build cost assist’ package which includes the preparation of several drawings to help our clients consider the finer details. These might include:

· Demolition plans

· Mechanical and Electrical drawings (radiator or underfloor heating positions, socket and light switch locations etc).

· Finishes drawings and/or schedule (floor finishes etc).

· Window and door schedules

· External landscaping proposals

· Staircase specification

A comprehensive package of information from the offset, as opposed to making decisions when a contractor is on-site, will help you obtain like-for-like tenders from contractors and avoid surprise costs once works have begun.

Above image shows an example of Phase 3 Building Regulations

Phase 4 – Production Information (+8-12 weeks)

Now that you have all statutory approvals for the project, you will want to appoint a reliable and competent contractor who will construct the project and realise the dream.

Phase 4 allows us to produce tender drawings and documentation (specification and schedule of works) for the project ready to issue to several contractors for pricing. During this phase, we will spend time discussing details with clients so that we accurately convey project particulars. This will include choosing the best construction contract.

The more information a contractor has, the more accurate their pricing will be, the more control you have of what they’re doing, hence the chances of anything not going to plan on site reduces.

Phase 5 – Tender Action (+2 weeks)

We will identify and evaluate potential contractors and/or specialists for the project and formally issue all tender documents . The length of the tender period varies but this is typically set at 30-60 days. Each contractor will visit the site to understand the requirements of the site and of the project.

Phase 6 – On Site to Practical Completion (variable)

Artichoke can appraise all tenders received and provide our clients with recommendations. Where clients would like a third-party to manage a build contract between themselves and the chosen contractor, Artichoke can also act as Contract Administrator . This will ensure a fair and progressive exchange of money throughout the progress of the project on-site.

Once the project reaches completion, we will also ensure all snagging items have been resolved and you have received all necessary certification. In most construction contracts, there is a retention sum that you will retain for a designated period once the works have finished on site (commonly named the rectification period). This will be released once the contractor has returned to rectify any defects that might have arisen (typically 6-12 months later).

At this point, the project is complete , and you can enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Timeline Summary

A typical residential project takes anywhere from 18 months to several years , from inception to completion. This is entirely dependent on the complexity, scale, and type of the project.

This timeline can also be heavily influenced by various external factors such as planning delays, regulatory changes, and unforeseen challenges during construction.

Working closely with experienced architects, consultants and contractors is key to ensuring that the project stays on track and on budget. Keeping communication open and managing expectations throughout each stage will help mitigate delays and set realistic expectations for your project's timeline.

We hope that Artichoke is well equipped to guide you through this process and streamline the timeline as much as possible if a quick project is preferable.

We are delighted to have helped hundreds of clients bring their dreams to life. Here are just a few examples of the fruits of our work.

If you have a project in mind, please get in touch, we’d love to hear about it and discuss how we might be able to help.

Windmill Close: residential extension & refurbishment (2 years)

Chilterns home in AONB: residential new build (3 years, 4 months)

Church Farm: residential extension & refurbishment (2 years)

New Paragraph

Planning Fees to increase

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 15:24:08 GMT

Planning Fees to increase - submit before 1st April 2025

It’s likely that many architects and planning agents will be overwhelmed with people trying to get in early to avoid the increase in fees. Anyone with a project in mind should consider the time needed even to get the point at which a planning application can be submitted.

Typical timeframes: 6-18 weeks

+ 1-4 Weeks – Find & appoint an architect

+ 1-2 Weeks – Measure property & prepare existing drawings

+ 2-8 Weeks – Prepare & develop design options with client meetings

+ 2-4 Weeks – Prepare planning information and submit application

The Government released draft legislation on January 14th, to propose an increase in planning fees. In many cases this will rise by 100% or more. Although one exception sees an increase of 583% – albeit for major developments.

This goes against the previous rise under the last Government where planning fees increases were to be pegged to the rate of inflation or a maximum of 10%. The biggest impact will be felt for changes of use with prior approval under Class MA, Class Q etc., and householder applications.

The issue is that planning fees are not ring-fenced for the planning department – therefore these fees could go almost anywhere! Maybe even to purchase more government folders at £600 each! The planning departments need an increase in funds, but this legislation does not guarantee they will receive any of the increases.

The Government estimates that the shortfall in overall funding for local planning authorities is estimated to be £362 million. Despite this, there is zero guarantee that this will not still exist in 2026 or it may even increase!

The prices rises of of 100% or more, come after planning fees rises in December 2023 of 35% for major and 25% for all other applications.

It is advisable to ensure that applications and fees are submitted before 1st April 2025 to avoid these fees. Applicants are reminded that the ‘free go’ on planning fees was removed in December 2023.

Householder Applications

Where permitted development is not possible under Part 1 of the GPDO, then a householder planning application is required. These fees are increasing for the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwelling house.

Increase the fee for applications for the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a single-dwelling house from £258 to £528 – an increase of 105%

• Increase the fee for applications for the enlargement, improvement or other alteration of two or more dwelling houses from £509 to £1,043 – an increase of 105%

• The fee of £258 for householder developments related to small-scale operations within the curtilage of a dwelling house is not changing – this would be for items such as garages, outbuildings, porches, gates, fences and walls

It is always advisable to see if you can just go ahead under permitted development. Contact Planning Geek if you need guidance on this. Click here to contact us.

Prior Approvals

Most changes of use under Part 3 of the GPDO will require a prior approval application.

• The flat fee for prior approval applications that don’t involve building operations is increasing from £120 to £240 – an increase of 100% (was £96 before December 2023)

• The flat fee for prior approval applications that involve building operations is increasing from £258 to £516 – an increase of 100% (was £206 before December 2023)

• The fee for prior approvals relating to the change of use of Class E uses to residential (under Class MA of the GDPO) is increased from £125 per dwelling house to £250 per dwelling house – an increase of 100% (was £100 before December 2023)

The fees for prior approvals related to the construction of new dwelling houses are not changing under Part 20 – these remain at £418 per dwelling.

Section 73 Applications

If you wish to alter a previous planning decision to perhaps remove a condition or alter the drawings etc., you would use a Section 73 application. These fees are altering from a previous flat fee of £293.

These applications are now to be divided into three options depending upon the original application. To alter a householder application you may opt to wait until after 1st April, as this reduces by 70%, but for a major development this increases by w whopping 583%

• £86 for householder applications – a decrease of 70%

• £586 for non-major development – an increase of 100%

• £2,000 for major development – an increase of 583%!!

Discharge of Conditions

The fee for an application for approval of details reserved by condition is increasing from:

• £43 to £86 for householders – an increase of 100%

• £145 to £298 for any other development – an increase of 106%

Fee for submission of a Biodiversity Gain Plan is increasing from £145 to £298 which is an increase of 106%

In Conclusion

The last government increased planning fees by either 25% or 35% – at the time, householders and business were told that planning fees would increase each year by the rate of inflation or a maximum of 10%. Today, Matthew Pennycook the Minister of state for Housing and Planning at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has decided to ignore that legislation. These fees will now increase by inflation or 10% from 1st April 2026 and beyond. That is unless the government decides to increase them again.

These increases in planning fees will impact SME developers who will need to budget for the increase in fees as part of the conversion costs.

The government is pushing forward with plans to allow local authorities to vary or set their own fees. This is likely to be limited to a percentage of the new fees announced today.

All other planning fees remain unchanged until April 2026 – for now!

The Planning Portal site is yet to announce their fees for processing your card payments to local authorities from 1st April 2025.

Since early 2022 this fee has risen from £28 to £70 today – a 150% increase in under three years.

1st April 2022 – £32 including VAT (a 14% increase)

2nd May 2023 – £64 Including VAT (a 100% increase)

2nd April 2024 – £70 including VAT (a 9% increase)

Note - Planning Portal is a private company owned by TerraQuest Solutions Limited. The site was privatised in 2015.

Get in touch

If you have a project in mind, please do give us a call or email and we’ll be delighted to discuss it with you.

To render or not to render...?

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:28:41 GMT

Bring your dream home to life with 3D Modelling: the secret to stunning exteriors and easy planning

Designing your dream home is one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever embark on. But let’s face it—turning ideas into reality can feel overwhelming. How will the materials you love look together? Will the rooflines and proportions match your vision? That’s where 3D modelling and AI steps in to transform your design experience.

Although relatively new, this game-changing technology lets you see your home take shape in stunning detail before construction even begins. From the overall form to the finest exterior details, 3D modelling brings your ideas to life in a way that 2D plans simply can’t match.

Visualizing Form and Massing

One of the biggest challenges in residential design is understanding how a building’s form will look and feel in the real world. With 3D modelling and AI, you can explore every angle of your home’s design. See how rooflines interact, how the building’s massing complements its surroundings, and how different elements—like porches, balconies, or overhangs—enhance the overall look.

This level of visualization empowers you to tweak and refine your design until it feels just right. Want a more striking silhouette? Or perhaps something that blends seamlessly into the landscape? With 3D modelling and AI, it’s easy to test ideas and find the perfect balance between bold and harmonious.

Exploring Materials and Finishes

Materials are the soul of any home’s exterior, and choosing the right combination can make all the difference. With 3D modelling and AI, you’re no longer limited to imagination or tiny swatches. You can see how natural stone looks next to wood siding, how a slate roof pairs with steel accents, or how bold colours interact with neutral tones.

Better yet, 3D modelling and AI provides realistic lighting effects, showing how your materials will look at different times of the day. Will the sunlight bring out the warmth of your timber cladding? Does the texture of your chosen brick create the depth you want? These are the details that bring a home’s exterior to life, and 3D modelling and AI ensures you get them right.

Smoothing the Planning Process

Let’s talk about planning approvals—often one of the trickiest parts of building a home. 3D modelling can simplify this process by providing highly detailed visuals that planners and local authorities love. A clear, realistic depiction of your design in its actual context helps address common concerns about scale, proportion, and how the home fits into its surroundings.

Plus, it helps the planners and your neighbours to truly understand what you are proposing and by offering a comprehensive view of the project, you reduce misunderstandings and demonstrate your commitment to quality and cohesion, which can speed up approvals and minimize delays.

Why Settle for Guesswork?

Why rely on guesswork or even thinking what it might look like when you can know exactly how your home will look, feel, and fit into its environment? 3D modelling takes some of the uncertainty out of the design process, empowering you to make confident decisions about form, materials, and style. It’s not just about creating a home—it’s about creating your home, with every detail just the way you want it.

Ready to turn your dream into reality? With 3D modelling, the journey to your perfect home starts now.

If you have a project that you are considering, please do get in touch, we’d love to hear more about it and discuss how we might be able to help.

Happy 'old' year!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 13:48:40 GMT

Happy 'old' year!

We’ve had a truly exciting end to 2024. After a couple of years where global and national situations have meant a lot of people have had no choice but to tighten their purse strings, confidence has grown and we’ve seen a real increase in the number of people contacting and working with us.

In an effort to try and stimulate enquiries and to forge relationships with other consultants (and following the success of Windsor Designs Live 1 & 2!) we organised and held a larger scale event, Thames Valley Build & Design Live 2024. The focus of this event was orientated towards larger scale projects and across a broader geographical area. Again, it was a great success and we’ll be discussing details of future events in 2025 with our partners.

Historically we’ve almost exclusively worked on residential projects, both extension and new houses. In recent years we’ve had more opportunity to work with commercial clients on their projects; these include residential developers, hospitality, schools, farms and healthcare.

The sector in which we’ve experienced the most significant increase from our typical work is schools’ projects and are now delighted to be working with 3 amazing institutions on projects varying from staff accommodation to the development of a rowing site for the staff & team to train at.

• Ludgrove School

• Green Room School

• The Windsor Boys School (Boat Club)

The Windsor Boys' School Boat Club Lugrove School

With learning in mind, we continue to ensure we give back and offer several students opportunities to experience what it is to be an architect. This ranges from 15 year-olds who come to us for work shadowing as well as being an official RIBA Mentor to budding architectural students who have already started their formal architectural education.

Perhaps the most significant project on which we’ve been working is on behalf of our amazing clients at the Step Property Group, which is their Manor Farm site in Laleham. After nearly 4 years (through COVID!) of consultation with Spelthorne Council, local Councillors and a plethora of consultants, proposals are finally being prepared for a planning application in early 2025.

Manor Farm

There is excitement for us at every stage of the process and we’ve met lots of new clients this year, developed ideas and submitted plenty of applications. The most exciting part is still when we return to meet our clients to see completed projects and to hear how delighted the have been with the outcome. We are always hugely grateful when clients have trusted us and of course seeing the completed projects is always the best part!

We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing team at Artichoke and the amazing clients we have had in 2024 and are very excited to continue working with them in 2025 and hopefully to meet plenty of new people and to help them on their own journeys.

Artichoke and the team are not just work, work, work – we make sure we give ourselves time to do the things that bring us joy. Adrian with his Wednesday night football, Gabrio, Esther and their young families just spending as much time together as possible, Juliette playing tennis or out on her bike and Chris, still singing with his Barbershop A Capella choir, who have again been singing for dinner guests at the prestigious Coworth Park Hotel as well as several public concerts.

Whether you’re an existing client, not yet a client or part of our wider community, we thank you for all of your support and we wish you & your families a happy, healthy & fulfilling year ahead…

Heritage Buildings – beauty or burden?!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:56:50 GMT

Heritage Buildings - beauty or burden?

Castle Peep, Windsor – Internal Refurbishment within Conservation Area

There aren’t many people who don’t love the charm, character and history of our old buildings. But with their ownership comes responsibility and doing it wrong could be a criminal offence, which we’d like to help you avoid!

Preserving heritage buildings in England is a delicate balance of honouring the past whilst accommodating the needs of the present and future. England’s architectural heritage, symbolised by its Grade I and Grade II listed buildings and Conservation Areas, tells a story of historical, cultural, and artistic significance.

For owners of listed buildings, any changes—be it restoration, renovation, or adaptation—must adhere to stringent guidelines set out to protect their historical value. This is where Architects and Heritage Consultants can play a pivotal role.

We feel very lucky to be based in Windsor which is renowned for its rich heritage and architectural significance. We regularly work with historic buildings – Georgian townhouses, Tudor cottages, Victorian terraces and so on – against a background of planning and legislative constraints which rightly ensures they are protected.

Understanding the Listing System and Conservation Areas

The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 sets out the legal framework for the designation and protection of historic buildings. Listed buildings are graded as follows:

Grade I: Buildings of exceptional interest, constituting only 2.5% of listed properties.
Grade II*: Particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II: Buildings of special interest, warranting preservation.

Listing covers the entire building, including interiors and sometimes additional features like boundary walls or garden structures. Owners must obtain permission for any alterations that might affect the building's character or even it’s fabric; this might include putting pictures on the walls with nails!

Conservation areas exist to protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place rather than individual building. These are usually applied to an area that contains features that make it unique or distinctive. There are greater restrictions on work you can do within a Conservation Area without planning permission as councils look to preserve character and history.

It is also worth noting that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and/or Local Plans recognise non-designated heritage assets. These are buildings, monuments, sites or places that are considered important to a local area. Non-designated heritage assets are highlighted by local authorities or neighbourhood forums and are considered with greater rigor within the planning system.

The Architect’s Role in Heritage Preservation

So how can we help? Our role is to carefully balance the needs and desires of our clients against the limitations and requirements of heritage buildings. We hope to ensure that you gain all that you want for the project whilst protecting the history of the building.

1. Navigating the Planning Application Process:

When proposing alterations or repairs to a listed building, the first step is to submit a Listed Building Consent application. Artichoke can help you prepare the application by:

Developing Detailed Plans and Justifications : A successful application hinges on detailed documentation. Architects prepare scaled drawings, method statements, and written justifications demonstrating how the proposed works align with heritage preservation principles.
Producing a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) : An HIA evaluates the potential impact of proposed works on the building’s significance. It considers historical, architectural, and cultural values, ensuring that alterations respect the building’s character and is justified.
Collaborating with Conservation Officers : Local authority conservation officers oversee listed buildings in their jurisdictions. If possible, we will engage with these officers early in the process to discuss plans, gather feedback, and incorporate their recommendations. Depending on the project, this might extend to liaison with Historic England – a public body and a statutory consultee in the planning system.
Understanding Local Conservation Area Appraisals : These documents outline the key characteristics and priorities for each conservation area. We will always ensure that the proposed works align with these guidelines.

2. Building Regulations Compliance:

Heritage buildings are exempt from modern standards, such as insulation requirements, though compliance with building regulations is still necessary. Architects play a crucial role in:

Balancing Conservation and Compliance: Retrofitting a heritage building for modern use can be challenging, especially when introducing fire safety systems, insulation or accessibility features. We enjoy this creative process and look to provide solutions which meet building regulations without compromising historical integrity.
Working with Specialists: we will liaise with several external consultants to ensure the project is successful. Key consultants are:

Structural Engineers (SE) – in all instances, we will seek advice from an SE to determine how best to support the building.

Planning Consultant – if a project is complex then we may seek detailed advice from a planning consultant to ensure that a project is fully compliant in advance of a planning application.

Heritage Consultant – as above, if a project is complex then we may seek detailed advice from a heritage consultant to ensure that the building(s) is preserved in a way that ensures its longevity.

Sustainability Consultants – in many instances, we will seek advice and assessment from a Sustainability Consultant. Each project is unique and so we need to understand which materials are best placed to enhance building performance without compromising the structure.

3. Advising on Appropriate Interventions:

Retrofitting heritage buildings is a critical strategy for achieving the Labour government’s carbon reduction goals. These goals aim to create a net-zero carbon economy by 2050, with the built environment playing a significant role due to its substantial contribution to national emissions – approximately 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions.

Retrofitting involves upgrading existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. For heritage buildings, this process is more challenging due to unique construction methods. At Artichoke, we understand these challenges and can advise our clients on appropriate methods for integrating energy-efficient measures such as renewable energy sources. We can also help develop strategies to upgrade building performance without impacting the buildings heritage or longevity such as internal insulation systems that maintain the building’s natural breathability.

Case Studies: See some of the successful heritage projects below which have delighted our clients and have been incredibly rewarding to be a part of:

Church Farm, Surrey – Contemporary Residential Extension to Grade II Listed Building

A 17 ^th century house which was originally part of Lord Lucan’s estate. It has a modern kitchen, dining and family space with a perfect balance of harmony and contrast providing a beautiful bright space to the delight of our clients.

The Weir Cottage, Maidenhead – Refurbishment and Extension within Conservation Area

An old coach house, originally around 1/3 ^rd of the size of what it was when we were involved. Unfortunately, it had previously been extended without much thought, so Artichoke had to be very creative to produce the bright open spaces the client needed whilst respecting the character and fabric of the house. Again, delighted clients and wonderful outcome.

Castle Peep, Windsor – Internal Refurbishment within Conservation Area

Very much like Weir Cottage, but in this case, there were no extensions and all the magic happened within the existing house. Even so, a truly dramatic and incredible transformation!

Manor Farm, Laleham – Refurbishment of Grade II Listed Buildings within Conservation Area

A charming heritage farmstead in the works. Artichoke is proposing the restoration of the house and barns, sensitively designed modern additions and a set of commercial units that blend into the context to ensure the longevity of the site.

Preserving England’s heritage buildings while adapting them for a sustainable future is a challenge that requires vision, expertise, and collaboration. Artichoke is equipped to guide clients through this process by ensuring compliance whilst achieving great design and functionality.

By embracing innovative solutions, Artichoke can help clients transform heritage buildings into energy-efficient spaces, demonstrating that conservation and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. For any heritage building owner, engaging a skilled architect is an essential step toward achieving these objectives.

We have a high-level service called ‘Conservation Kickstarter’ which might help you to get started if you’re not sure how or where to start. Please do get in touch if you’d like to chat more! We’d love to hear from you.

Why great architecture needs great landscape design

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:48:10 GMT

Why great architecture needs great landscape design

Artichoke is made up of a team of architects passionate about designing great projects for our clients such as our project near Guildford. We find that that, as architects, we create the exciting internal spaces and elevations, but it’s the landscape design that truly anchors a project to the site, bringing it into harmony with its surroundings.

Artichoke worked with the clients over a number of years to design and build a new house that replaced a worn-out house half the size. The finished house - as you can see - was a great success and the final mature landscaping helps deliver that total project package.

On this project, as the house neared completion on site, we are thrilled to see our projects take on new life when a talented landscape designer such as Maya at Flaura (https://www.flaura.design/) steps in. Her role isn’t just about “adding greenery” – it’s about weaving a vision that complements and enhances the built environment, elevating the whole project in ways that extend beyond just the building itself.

As with an Artichoke’s design process on a project, a good landscape design often begins with a spark of creative vision, this turns the landscape into an integral part of the architecture and making the structure feel as if it belongs exactly where it is.

As with us, their initial concept takes shape in the form of sketches, outlining different ways in which the outdoor spaces might integrate with the building, balancing lines, textures, and forms with the natural world. From these sketches, Flaura created 3D models (https://youtu.be/n8ON393iDuA?feature=shared), allowing the clients to truly see how their project will live and breathe in its surroundings. We find that on most - if not all – projects, this modelling of a scheme helps our clients to appreciate the design and understand how we are proposing the building go together.

These models reveal not only how greenery, water features, or pathways will enhance the architecture but how the landscape will evolve and mature. It’s in this stage that clients start to get a sense of how they’ll experience the space on a daily basis – walking a garden path in the morning, enjoying natural shade in the afternoon, or watching evening light reflect off a water feature that leads the eye towards the horizon.

Once the vision becomes a reality, the landscape design helped the house we designed achieve its goal as a truly liveable, inviting experience. Plants and trees don’t just enhance the home visually; they create a sense of calm and connection to nature, drawing people outside, grounding them, and creating a sanctuary within any urban or rural environment. For example, a thoughtfully placed garden or grove of trees can soften the lines of even the most modern building, while a carefully designed pathway encourages exploration and adds a sense of flow to the overall space.

It’s a joy to see our design for the house and the designers landscape come alive, as the building itself seems to blend into its environment rather than simply sitting on it. Great landscape design gives a project that special touch that’s hard to define but unmistakable when you experience it. A building with beautifully integrated landscaping feels like it’s exactly where it’s meant to be, effortlessly in tune with its surroundings.

When landscape design is thoughtfully woven into the architectural vision, it becomes the heart of the project, completing the story of the site. It turns architecture into a lived experience that engages the senses and grounds us in the beauty of the natural world. Every project deserves this finishing touch – the magic that happens when structure and nature align. With this thoughtful, layered approach, a building doesn’t just sit on the land; it becomes a part of it, creating spaces that are not only functional but inspiring.

Guest Blog -Architect or Interior Designer....or les deux?

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:55:08 GMT

Guest Blog kindly written by Katie Hyde owner of A T E L I E R id

So, you've finally decided to take the plunge....

That dream new house build you've been sketching on napkins for years? That long awaited extension that will make family life SO much easier? Or that ambitious renovation you’ve been saving the pennies for?

It's finally happening!

But as you dive headfirst into Pinterest boards and paint swatches, a big question pops up: Do I need an architect, or an interior designer, or both?

It feels like a fork in the road, where each path offers a unique version of your dream space. Let’s face it, navigating the world of design can feel like learning a new language. And who wants to end up with a "lost in translation" scenario for their haven.

That’s why we’re breaking it all down to explore and clarify the roles of architects like Artichoke and interior designers like A T E L I E R | id . Consider this your cheat sheet for understanding who does what and, more importantly, who you need on your team to turn your dream home into a reality.

Space dreams: when do I need an architect?

Even before you think about what home you might want, or how you might want to make it bigger, a good architect will ask you questions. They will want to know why you're doing it, what your priorities are and what your budget is. It's only by knowing these things that they can help you to understand what options are possible and achievable.

Architects are the experts in helping you to develop a brief and then turn that into conceptual and detailed designs - and then into reality. They are designers, so of course, they can help you with space, form and light, but they are also organisers, so they will make sure that you have the right team to make sure that you have the right experts on board to achieve your priorities.

If you're planning a new build, an extension, or a major renovation, an architect should be a non-negotiable consultant. They'll collaborate with you on everything from the overall layout and flow of your home, to the strategic placement of windows to maximize natural light. In essence, Artichoke are the conductors of your home's symphony, ensuring every element is in harmony.

Beyond the walls: what does an interior designer bring to the table?

Once the architect has started the creative juices flowing, the interior designer joins in, working with you and the architect to infuse your space with even more personality and style. Think of them as the artists who paint life onto the architect's canvas.

Interior designers like A T E L I E R id focus on maximizing functionality while reflecting your unique style. They guide you in selecting everything from the perfect paint colours and flooring to furniture, lighting, and those essential finishing touches that make a house a home. But their expertise goes beyond just aesthetics.

A skilled interior designer will work with the design team to consider your lifestyle, needs, and budget to create a space that's both beautiful and practical. They can produce lighting designs to compliment the architects design, but without compromising functional light. They can develop bathroom s to be aspirational spa envy spaces, and they can take cabinetry design to the real max. Not to mention they're also pros at sourcing unique furnishing pieces! Interior designers can take the stress away from you and manage the often-overwhelming logistics of an interior design project.

The power of collaboration: can an architect and interior designer work together?

Absolutely! Having both an architect and an interior designer can be a fantastic combination. They work together seamlessly to create a home that not only has the best design and space (and of course will be structurally sound and functional) but also visually stunning and perfectly suited to your needs.

When an architect and interior designer collaborate from the get-go, they can bounce ideas off each other, ensuring that the buildings' design and spatial elements and the intended interior design complement one another.

For example, the architect may specify an opened up space that requires new structural steel required for an extension, while the interior designer may suggest leaving this exposed to create a bold feature within a slightly industrial and eclectic interior.

This collaborative approach ensures a cohesive and harmonious design, where every detail, from the grand architectural gestures to the smallest decorative accents, work together to create a truly exceptional space.

Budgeting bliss: is hiring both professionals realistic?

I know what you're thinking:

"This all sounds amazing, but can I afford both an architect and an interior designer?" It's a valid concern, but the answer isn't as black and white as you might think.

Firstly, keep in mind that both architects and interior designers offer a range of services. You may opt for full design service for both, or take a more collaborative approach, working with the architect on structural elements and then bringing in an interior designer for specific rooms or aspects of the project.

Secondly, consider the long-term benefits. While hiring both professionals might seem like a significant upfront investment, it can save you money in the long run. Their expertise can help you avoid costly mistakes, ensure your project stays on budget, and ultimately increase the value of your home.

To make sure you're aware of how far your budget can stretch and that all designers are maximising the spend of every penny, it can be well worth adding a Quantity Surveyor to the team. Then, just as you would for your personal budget, you can decide where it's best to allocate your budget and critically that you know from day 1 that someone is keeping an eye on the spending. By doing this, you significantly reduce the chances of running out of money and having to chop out beautiful bits of the designs.

Finding my dream team: tips for choosing the right professionals

Whether you decide to go with an architect like Artichoke, or an interior designer like Atelier ID, or both, finding the right professionals for your project is crucial.

Here are a few tips to guide you:

Do your research: Look for local professionals with an established client base in your area who will have great relationships with local trades and supplier expertise.
Check out our portfolios: This will give you a good sense of our varied aesthetics and the wider expertise across different styles that we can bring to your project.
Read reviews and testimonials: See what past clients have to say about our experience and approach on our websites, or ask to talk to our previous local clients for a real second opinion.
Look for Professional Affiliations: Independent industry bodies like the British Institute of Interior Design have Codes of Conduct that reflect the quality and experience of its members that guarantee professionalism.
Schedule consultations: This is your chance to get to know Us, ask questions, and see if there's a good fit, and whether our approach resonates with you.
Trust your gut: Ultimately, you need to feel comfortable and confident with the professionals you choose.

Building or renovating a home is a significant undertaking, but it's also an incredibly exciting journey.

By understanding the roles of architects and interior designers, you can assemble the perfect team to bring your vision to life, creating a space that's not just a house, but a true reflection of you.

So get in touch to discuss your dream project further and together we can create your perfect home!

https://www.atelierinteriordesign.co.uk/

“Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light”

L E C O R B U S I E R

Guest blog kindly written by Katie Hyde, owner of A T E L I E R id

Let the planning package commence!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 11:16:32 GMT

Let the planning package commence!

We’re beyond excited and honoured to have been appointed on the next chapter of this phenomenal project to revitalise and develop Manor Farm – a charming, partially Grade II Listed heritage farmstead in Laleham.

We’ve been working on this project with our clients, Step Property, for over two years; they have a strong local connection and a true passion to make it something that will be a positive contribution with architectural merit and care.

After two positive rounds of pre-application advice with Spelthorne Borough Council and another with 2 councillors directly – the button has been pushed and it's now full steam ahead!

Working on any one of these projects individually would be good, so it’s incredible to be working on 11 separate buildings, all of which need special attention given the site’s planning constraints: Conservation Area, Flood Plain & Green Belt.

- Farmhouse – Grade II Listed

- 2 Hay Barns – Grade II Listed

- A Sensitive Modern Extension to the Hay Barns

- Granary – Grade II Listed

- Milking Parlour – Curtilage Listed

- A Replacement Commercial Barn/Office

- 4 New Light Industrial Barns with extra architectural finesse

See a short video of the listed part of the site (link in bio) - https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/manor-fa rm

Artichoke will be leading the designs of the buildings & site and are very lucky to be working with the following expert consultants to ensure the project will have the consideration it needs to maximise its chances of planning permission being granted.

- Planning Consultant – Andrew Black Consulting

- Heritage Consultant – Heritage Fusion

- Highways Consultants – Motion

- Flood Consultant – Motion

- Ecology Consultant – Ecology By Design

- Structural Engineer – TBA

Step Property have been insistent from the outset that this development should not just be a commercial venture to maximise space to gain the maximum return. They have truly embraced the opportunity to create a ‘place’ which not only aims to have a unique & special character not only with careful thought to the restoration of listed buildings or the creation of sensitively designed modern barns but most importantly something that has longevity both in itself and as an asset to the local community.

Consequently, a huge amount of thought has already gone into the conceptual design and the client’s instructions to progress the planning information couldn’t be more attractive as a passionate practice of architects – to spend the time that we need to spend to ensure a beautiful set of buildings set within a sympathetically developed site – all of which of course should lead to a far greater chance of planning success.

It is always the case that you should consider the existing context; and often the case that you should work with it – especially with Listed Buildings and in Conservation Areas. That doesn’t always mean just to create pastiche copies of anything that’s already there. In this case it does mean that we spent months understanding the site, buildings and surroundings before we explored how we might resolve the designs, which concept was unanimously supported by the client, the entire design team and the local authority; which included a conservation & heritage expert, a senior planning officer and senior conservation office (and consultant in their own right).

At a high level, the site will be split into two distinct Character Zones:

1. Heritage – Conserved, refurbished & new buildings – to match existing materials & style

Images: Manor Farm dilapidated house & barn

The heritage side of the site will require intense detailed design but conceptually it is reasonably straight forward as the designs will broadly match the existing. The exceptions here are the extensions to the original Grade II Listed Farmhouse and Barns; both of which will draw on materials & massing from their hosts but to ensure there is integrity showing the period when new elements have been designed, will not be thoughtless pastiche but sympathetically designed modern additions.

The hard & soft landscaping around this part of the site will maintain the ‘farmyard’ feel with a greater degree of planting and loose gravel parking areas.

2. Modern – Rebuilt or enlarged buildings – to receive a modern interpretation, drawing on agricultural pallet of materials & styles

Images: Manor Farm modern agricultural buildings

The modern side of the site is also within the conservation area hence there is a need to preserve and enhance, although there is not the same need to retain any existing building fabric or appearance. Although the existing green metal clad barns are honest and maybe appropriate for their context and function, there is the desire to significantly improve the site. The proposal here is still to draw on an existing and or agricultural palette of materials and forms but to introduce more refined architectural features and detailing. This might for example be protruding timber profiles to accentuate windows & doors; dark aluminium window frames; or feature metal entrance canopies.

This is and will be a functioning site employing and facilitating local businesses, hence the main access road will appropriately be hardwearing tarmac with permeable paving and pockets of landscaping with native shrubs & trees to ensure there is a softness that reflects the countryside that surrounds.

Flood - Much of the site is within flood zones and we are working with experts to ensure the project complies with Local Authority and Environment Agency requirements.

Vehicle Movements & Parking – For local residents this can be one of the most important aspects of a large redevelopment, they want to know that any proposal isn’t going to cause additional congestion or problems to their journeys. Working closely with highways experts the access to the site, movement around it and parking have all been designed to provide a more than adequate provision to ensure that there should be a negligible impact on the local highways.

We’re near the start of the process so don’t have too much more information or images to share but we will be creating 3D visuals and lots of beautiful plans, which will convey the stunning project which we’re working on to submit for a planning application.

So – watch this space for more updates!!

Bright potential for Grey Belt Development

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 11:09:05 GMT

Understanding Grey and Green Belt in UK Planning: a guide for self-builders

Beautiful, Chilterns AONB home

The new government has recently announced some of its pro-development reforms to liberalise planning and encourage housebuilding, focusing on developing ‘Grey Belt’ areas as well as other strategies to address the housing crisis.

When it comes to planning and development in the UK, the terms ‘Green Belt’ and ‘Grey Belt’ often come up, especially in discussions about housing and land use. For those who are interested in self-building—a rewarding but challenging journey—it’s essential to understand these terms, as they can significantly impact your plans.

In this blog, we’ll explore what Green Belt and Grey Belt land are, how they differ, and why Grey Belt land might be a hidden gem for self-builders. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of these concepts and the potential opportunities they present for your self-build project.

What is Green Belt Land?

Green Belt land is a well-known term in UK planning, and it refers to areas of open land around cities and towns where development is highly restricted. The concept was first introduced for London in 1938 before the 1947 Town and Country Planning Act enabled local authorities to designate the status themselves and to prevent urban sprawl, preserve the countryside, and maintain the character of rural areas.

The primary purposes of Green Belts are:

To Prevent Urban Sprawl: Green Belts act as a buffer, stopping towns and cities from merging into each other, preserving the distinct boundaries between urban and rural areas.
To Preserve the Countryside: By limiting development, Green Belts help to protect the natural environment, including agricultural land, forests, and open spaces.
To Encourage Urban Regeneration: By restricting development on the outskirts of cities, Green Belts encourage developers to focus on brownfield sites within urban areas, promoting regeneration and efficient land use.

The Characteristics of ‘Green Belt’ Land

Green Belt land is characterized by its strong protection from development. Planning policies within Green Belts are stringent, and any proposals for new buildings or changes of use are generally refused unless there are exceptional circumstances. This is because the primary aim of Green Belts is to keep land permanently open.

However, it’s important to note that not all land within Green Belts is necessarily ‘green’ in terms of being picturesque countryside. Green Belt land can include a variety of landscapes, from farmland to wasteland, but what unifies these areas is their protected status.

What is ‘Grey Belt’ Land?

‘Grey Belt’ land is a newer and less commonly known concept in UK planning is a concept introduced by the new government to identify poor-quality, underutilised sections within the Green Belt.

These areas don’t have significant levels of biodiversity and aren’t used for public enjoyment and as such, are seen as potential sites for new housing developments to address the UK’s acute housing crisis. This includes previously developed land and/or areas of Green Belt that make a limited contribution to the Green Belt’s key purposes.

The government’s aim is to utilise these Grey Belt lands to contribute to their ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes. These plans are intended to address the housing crisis while also preserving the integrity of more valuable Green Belt land.

In the new draft NPPF ‘grey belt land is defined as:

‘For the purposes of Plan-making and decision-making, grey belt is defined as land in the Green Belt comprising Previously Developed Land and any other parcels and/or areas of Green Belt land that make a limited contribution to the five Green Belt purposes (as defined in para 140 of this Framework) but excluding those areas or assets of particular importance listed in footnote 7 of this Framework (other than land designated as Green Belt).’

With it being a new draft definition, we assume this will mean areas might include former industrial sites, underutilized land, or areas where the landscape has been altered by previous development but has not been fully reclaimed or regenerated.

We imagine that Grey Belt land may include disused fuel stations, disused golf courses, car parks, old shopping centres and wastelands.

How big is the Grey Belt ?

As the Grey Belt will be a new category, there is no official data on how much of it exists.

However, estate agent Knight Frank has previously carried out its own analysis: https://www.knightfrank.com/research/article/2024-01-26-how-can-britains-grey-belt-boost-housing-numbers

It has identified 11,000 previously developed sites, making up less than 1% of the existing green belt.

The Times highlights that 6% of the Green Belts in Birmingham and Blackpool could be classified as grey belt. Similarly, Cheltenham and Gloucester, have 5% and South and West Hampshire have 4% of Green Belt land that could be deemed grey .

Overview of the Green Belt reform

The relaxations in the planning process for building within the Green Belt will be introduced very soon. These will be guided by new ‘golden rules’ which include:

Brownfield first: w ithin the Green Belt, any brownfield land must be prioritised for development.
Grey belt second: poor-quality and ‘ugly’ areas of the Green Belt should be clearly prioritised over nature-rich, environmentally valuable land in the Green Belt. At present, beyond the existing brownfield category, the system doesn’t differentiate between them. This category will be distinct from brownfield with a wider definition.
Affordable homes: plan s must target at least 50% affordable housing delivery when land is released.
Boost public services and infrastructure: plans must boost public services and local infrastructure, like more school and nursery places, new health centres and GP appointments.
Improve genuine green spaces: Labour rules out building on genuine nature spots and requires plans to include improvements to existing green spaces, making them accessible to the public, with new woodland, parks and playing fields. Plans should meet high environmental standards.

Why ‘Grey Belt’ land could be attractive to self-builders

For self-builders, finding the right plot of land is one of the most challenging aspects of the project. ‘Grey Belt’ land offers several advantages that make it an attractive option for those looking to build their own home. Here’s why:

1. Greater Availability of Land:

Green Belt land is highly protected, making it difficult to find plots that are available for development. In contrast, we imagine that Grey Belt land once identified should be more readily available, particularly in areas where local authorities are keen to see redevelopment or where there is a push to address housing shortages.

2. Fewer Planning Hurdles:

While Grey Belt land is not without its planning challenges, if the governments ambitions are realised it should be easier to obtain planning permission compared to Green Belt land. This can be a significant advantage for self-builders, as it means there is a higher likelihood of getting the green light for your project.

3. Potential for Affordable Land:

Based on what we see Grey Belt land being designated as it has the potential to be more affordable than other types of prime residential development land, particularly compared to land within fully urbanized areas or desirable rural locations as there is work still to do to demonstrate to the planning authority’s development is appropriate on those sites. This affordability makes it an appealing option for self-builders working with a budget.

4. Flexibility in Design and Use:

Because potential Grey Belt land will be underutilized or derelict, there may be more flexibility in terms of what can be built and how the land can be used. This can be an advantage for self-builders who want to create a bespoke home that meets their specific needs and preferences.

5. Opportunity for Innovative and Sustainable Builds:

Potential grey Belt land, particularly those that have been previously developed, could be an ideal location for innovative and sustainable self-build projects. Many self-builders are interested in creating homes that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and unique in design. We believe that Grey Belt land, with its potential for redevelopment, can provide the perfect canvas for these kinds of projects.

Navigating the Planning Process for Grey Belt Land

While the definition and potential of Grey Belt land is still in its infancy it has the potential to offer significant opportunities for self-builders, it’s important to approach the planning process with care. Here are some tips for navigating planning when considering a Grey Belt plot:

1. Engage with the Local Authority Early:

Before purchasing a plot, it’s a good idea to speak with the local planning authority to understand their views on the land and the likelihood of obtaining planning permission. Once the planning legislation is in place some authorities may have specific plans or priorities for Grey Belt land, and being aware of these can help you tailor your proposal to meet local needs.

2. Consider the Environmental Impact:

Even though Grey Belt land may appear to have fewer restrictions than Green Belt land, it’s still important to consider the environmental impact of your project. Proposals that incorporate sustainable design, energy efficiency, and measures to protect the local environment are more likely to receive positive attention from planners.

3. Be Prepared for Negotiations:

The planning process can involve negotiations with local authorities, particularly if there are concerns about the impact of your development. Being flexible and willing to make adjustments to your plans can help to secure approval.

4. Work with Experienced Professionals:

Navigating the planning system can be complex, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. Working with experienced architects, planners, and other professionals can make the process smoother and increase your chances of success.

Conclusion: Grey Belt Land—A Hidden Gem for Self-Builders

For self-builders, finding the right plot of land is often the first major hurdle. The government’s proposed Grey Belt land could offer a unique opportunity: it has the potential to be affordable, with fewer planning restrictions than Green Belt land, and be ripe for innovative and sustainable development.

While the term “Grey Belt” may not be formally designated yet as is “Green Belt,” it represents a significant potential for those looking to create their dream home. By understanding the differences between these types of land and carefully navigating the planning process, self-builders can take advantage of the benefits Grey Belt land offers and contribute to the regeneration and revitalization of underutilized areas.

Whether you’re a seasoned self-builder or just starting out on your journey, potential ‘Grey Belt’ land could be the key to unlocking your dream of building a bespoke, sustainable home that reflects your vision and values.

At Artichoke we have years of experience working on Green Belt projects and we’d love to learn more about your project and discuss how we might help you and how possible your vision is.

Inspiring future architects

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:28:19 GMT

Inspiring future architects: Artichoke Work Shadowing

“Jackson is still raving about his work shadow day with you, Chris! He loved doing his own blueprints and chatting with your super friendly team amongst other things so thanks so much!!”

Being passionate about something often also means caring about it. This obviously means caring about our clients and the buildings we design for them but also nurturing future architects through work shadow placements. At artichoke we all relish the opportunity to guide the next generation, believing that by sharing our expertise and enthusiasm, we can champion better architecture, ultimately resulting in better buildings, spaces & towns and happier, healthier communities.

Fostering Talent Through Experience

Work shadow placements are designed to provide aspiring architects with hands-on experience in the field. We believe it’s better to go beyond mere observation, immersing students in the real-world processes of architectural design. This is not just passive mentoring; we actively involve students in project discussions, site visits, design sessions and give them their own pretend project. This approach allows students to witness firsthand the complexities and challenges of the profession. By engaging with various aspects of architectural practice—from sketching initial ideas to refining final plans—students gain an understanding of what it means to create meaningful and functional spaces.

Championing Better Architecture

The team at Artichoke is driven by a belief that better architecture leads to better living environments for our clients. Through work shadow placements, we share these values with our mentees, hoping to inspire a new generation who foster quality and sustainability.

Where students are with us longer, they learn about the importance of considering the environmental impact of their designs and the value of creating buildings that enhance the well-being of their occupants. By encouraging these principles, we aim to do our bit to encourage a generation that will push the boundaries of traditional architecture and lead the way in creating sustainable, liveable spaces.

Building Better Communities

One of the most rewarding aspects of offering work shadow placements is the potential to influence the future of architecture and hence our built environment. Today's students are tomorrow's architects, planners, and community leaders. By providing a platform for these young talents to explore and develop their skills, we are investing in a future where buildings and spaces are respected, designed with thoughtfulness and responsibility.

The feedback from students who have participated in these placements is overwhelmingly positive. They often highlight the invaluable insights gained from working alongside experienced professionals. These experiences often solidify their career aspirations but also broaden their understanding of the responsibilities that come with being an architect.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of Artichokes passionate approach to work shadow placements will hopefully extend beyond the immediate experience of the students. It creates a ripple effect, where inspired young architects carry forward the principles and practices they have learned, which will have a positive influence on their own future projects and will improve the chances of a better built environment.

By nurturing talent and championing better architecture, Artichoke is trying to help build a better physical and educational environment —one that values both aesthetic beauty and functional, sustainable design. This commitment to education and mentorship underscores the vital role that work shadow placements play in shaping the future of architecture and, by extension, the quality of life in our homes and our communities.

Offering work shadow placements is not just a professional duty; it's a commitment to cultivating passion, responsibility and excellence in architecture, ensuring that future generations continue to create spaces that inspire and uplift us all.

Success! Thames Valley Build & Design Live 2024

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 29 May 2024 11:20:05 GMT

Thames Valley Build & Design Live 2024 - success!

It was brilliant to get an opportunity to talk at length with people who are planning an extension, renovation or garden project at our recent Thames Valley Build & Design Live event. They were seeking help, advice and inspiration for how they might go about their projects with the professional support and guidance from us and our fellow consultants and suppliers.

Everyone who came along to the event said how brilliantly helpful it was. Not only because of the advice from each of the consultants and suppliers they spoke with, but also being able to meet with more than one consultant on the same day, in the same place. This provided the answers they needed, giving them the confidence to push on with their project.

By attending the event, they now have a much better understanding of the steps along the process, which professionals they need to engage with and an understanding of the costs involved.

Easthampsted Park Hotel was the perfect venue, providing a beautiful, relaxing & spacious backdrop to the event. And the sun shone all day so our visitors were able to take a stroll in the landscaped gardens.

We also had an unexpected performance from Chris’s son’s barber-shop quartet who were absolutely brilliant and provided some incredible entertainment.

The consultants who attended the event were:

Artichoke: Architectural Consultancy

We love design! There’s nothing more rewarding than the buzz we get when a client is beaming with joy at what we’ve helped them to create.

From our studios in Windsor and Reading, we work with private homeowners and commercial clients across East Berkshire and surrounding areas including Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey.

Investing sometimes millions of pounds in your own home or a commercial project is a major undertaking. Using our empathy, skill and experience we take as much of the stress out of building design and construction as possible.

We’re easy to talk to and great at listening. And, we ask all the right questions, challenging you when we need to. We want to understand you from the outset, deal with your concerns and offer solutions and enable you to make educated decisions.

Our service is reassuringly transparent and entirely personal to you.

01753 830422

office@artichoke-design.co.uk

www.artichoke-design.co.uk

Atelier Interior Design

A T E L I E R | id believes that well-designed spaces are not just an expression of a vision,

but should function effortlessly and enhance the well-being of the user.

Katie and her team have the invaluable knowledge of ergonomics, spatial planning, and creative vision that is needed to form good interior design.

A T E L I E R | id can help open your eyes to ideas and possibilities you may not have thought of,

enabling you to make informed decisions about all aspects of your project.

Their strong client-facing intuition and industry experience mean that Katie and her team are able to understand and respond to you or your brands’ emotional and physical needs

and envisage your aspirations.

Put simply, A T E L I E R | id will make your space work.

We want to enhance your experience of a physical space in a positive manner - as your unique creative art.

It's all about the emotions a space can invoke and how it can ultimately make you feel.

We're all about aesthetics, performance and cohesion. We want Form and Function to unite in a big warm hug!

Great design can deliver all of this!

01753 479492

hello@atelierinteriordesign.co.uk

www.atelierinteriordesign.co.uk

Concept-Two: custom-builder

If you've been looking for the perfect home without success, it's most likely because it doesn't exist...until now. Partner with us to build your perfect home. Established in 1971, we are a family-owned Custom Build home specialist working across the Home Counties.

As experienced multi award winning developers and bespoke house builders, we recognised a gap in the market for home buyers with specific lifestyle aspirations that simply weren’t being addressed. Our solution? To create fully bespoke, luxury homes with fully customisable interior finishes and floor layouts, designed and built from the finest materials to the highest standards.

Most importantly, in addition to building a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle, we like to build a strong relationship with you. Nothing is more rewarding than making your property dreams a reality. Come and see us at Thames Valley Build & Design and we can show you our selection of available plots, explain our process and answer all the questions you are bound to have.

0118 449 2848

hello@concept-two.co.uk

www.concept-two.co.uk

ET Planning

ET planning is an independent town planning consultancy providing expert planning advice to land and property owners, developers & investors. The company was founded by Emily Temple in 2017 following 12 years of experience in the public & private sectors at Test Valley and Wokingham Borough Councils and a national, multi-disciplinary consultancy.

Our friendly and approachable team includes fully qualified Chartered Town Planners who have worked for many Local Planning Authorities including Wokingham, Bracknell, London Borough of Ealing, Hertsmere, Wycombe, South Buckinghamshire, Chiltern, Test Valley, Hart, Chichester, Portsmouth and Shropshire as well as various private consultancies.

We offer a personalised service to help you to navigate the planning system, including strategic planning advice, site appraisals, planning applications, planning appeals and the resolution of enforcement disputes. We negotiate on your behalf as your planning agent to find solutions.

01344 508048

crowthorne@etplanning.co.uk

www.etplanning.co.uk

Linsey Evans Garden Design

Garden design practice specialising in designing sloping gardens. Linsey has been working as a garden design in Berkshire and the home counties for 20 years. She has extensive knowledge of the technical aspects of garden construction and creates bespoke contemporary gardens to the highest possible standard.

Gardens are designed with passion, flair, creativity, and attention to detail for clients who want something really special. Each garden is a unique response to the client’s brief and the site conditions, ensuring that no two gardens are the same.

Linsey’s focus is on creating outdoor spaces that function as an extension to the house, with a seamless indoor/outdoor flow. A strong structure to the hard landscape provides a cohesive link between house and garden, and a skilful combination of plants provides a soft and elegant overall aesthetic.

07901 852731

linsey@linseysgardens.co.uk

www.linseysgardens.com

Mark Taylor Design

Mark Taylor Design is a British manufacturer of high-end bespoke furniture, cabinetry and specialist joinery. Our ambition is to create extraordinary environments for our clients that are beautiful, useful & personal.

The company has a deep understanding of form, technique, design process & materials. We specialise in Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Studies, Bars, Home Cinemas and individual furniture pieces.

As well as bespoke kitchens, Mark Taylor Design has also developed a concept kitchen range MeThD. Mark Taylor is renowned for their use of innovative materials and for transforming client’s homes into truly extraordinary spaces.

01628 486707

mtd@marktaylordesign.co.uk

www.marktaylordesign.co.uk

Pro-Teck

Pro-Teck is a growing family business with a passion for the exciting, innovative electronics technology of the future.

Established in 2008 in Woking, Surrey, we have over 10 years of hands-on experience, employing the best & most creative electricians southwest London has to offer.

Our expansion into ‘ Smart Homes’ began 9 years ago and has become our flagship work. Home automation technology is an exciting, new way of living and we are proud to be at the vanguard of its’ home installation. We can make your home into an ‘intelligent’ home with technology that enables your home to ‘think’ as you do and run itself.

Our electricians are specialists in installing cutting-edge smart systems for your home and your office alongside our clever software.

01483 822555

electrician@pro-teck.co.uk

www.pro-teck.co.uk

Xpert Energy

Xpert Energy offers bespoke solutions for individual property energy requirements.

This can include specifying systems to provide heating, hot water, ventilation with heat recovery and electrical production & storage and then installing the whole system commissioning & testing. Once the system is running, our service engineers will look after the system to ensure correct working & operation. So, it really is a turnkey solution for building energy.

We employ a team of consultants who 3D thermal model buildings & design, supply & model new or replacement systems. We also employ a team of specialist engineers from a wide range of backgrounds to carry out installation projects within new-build and domestic sectors.

As you would expect, we are fully accredited under the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme). We are certified by CHAS, Construction Line, RECC, F-GAS, Trustmarked & Gas Safe Registered.

0118 930 3600

installs@xpertenergy.co.uk

www.xpertenergy.co.uk

Thames Valley Build & Design Live 2024

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:58:27 GMT

Thames Valley Build & Design Live 2024

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.

About Artichoke

We love design! There’s nothing more rewarding than the buzz we get when a client is beaming with joy at what we’ve helped them to create.

From our studios in Windsor and Reading, we work with private homeowners and commercial clients across East Berkshire and surrounding areas including Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey.

Our service is reassuringly transparent and entirely personal to you.

01753 830422

office@artichoke-design.co.uk

www.artichoke-design.co.uk

About Atelier Interior Design

A T E L I E R | id believes that well-designed spaces are not just an expression of a vision,

but should function effortlessly and enhance the well-being of the user.

Katie and her team have the invaluable knowledge of ergonomics, spatial planning, and creative vision that is needed to form good interior design.

A T E L I E R | id can help open your eyes to ideas and possibilities you may not have thought of,

enabling you to make informed decisions about all aspects of your project.

Their strong client-facing intuition and industry experience mean that Katie and her team are able to understand and respond to you or your brands’ emotional and physical needs

and envisage your aspirations.

Put simply, A T E L I E R | id will make your space work.

We want to enhance your experience of a physical space in a positive manner - as your unique creative art.

It's all about the emotions a space can invoke and how it can ultimately make you feel.

We're all about aesthetics, performance and cohesion. We want Form and Function to unite in a big warm hug!

Great design can deliver all of this!

01753 479492

hello@atelierinteriordesign.co.uk

www.atelierinteriordesign.co.uk

About Concept-Two

0118 449 2848

hello@concept-two.co.uk

www.concept-two.co.uk

About ET Planning

01344 508048

crowthorne@etplanning.co.uk

www.etplanning.co.uk

About Linsey Evans Garden Design

07901 852731

linsey@linseysgardens.co.uk

www.linseysgardens.com

About Mark Taylor Design

The company has a deep understanding of form, technique, design process & materials. We specialise in Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Studies, Bars, Home Cinemas and individual furniture pieces.

01628 486707

mtd@marktaylordesign.co.uk

www.marktaylordesign.co.uk

About Pro-Teck

Pro-Teck is a growing family business with a passion for the exciting, innovative electronics technology of the future.

Established in 2008 in Woking, Surrey, we have over 10 years of hands-on experience, employing the best & most creative electricians southwest London has to offer.

Our electricians are specialists in installing cutting-edge smart systems for your home and your office alongside our clever software.

01483 822555

electrician@pro-teck.co.uk

www.pro-teck.co.uk

About Xpert Energy

Xpert Energy offers bespoke solutions for individual property energy requirements.

As you would expect, we are fully accredited under the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme). We are certified by CHAS, Construction Line, RECC, F-GAS, Trustmarked & Gas Safe Registered.

0118 930 3600

installs@xpertenergy.co.uk

www.xpertenergy.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions about Thames Valley Build & Design Live 2024

Q: Is Thames Valley Build & Design free to attend?

A: Yes, the event is completely free and includes tea, coffee, biscuits & fresh fruit

Q: Who is the event for?

A: It’s for anyone thinking of extending, refurbishing or building their property or for anyone who needs advice, ideas and inspiration in the short or long-term at whatever stage of the process they are.

Q: I don’t live near Easthampstead Park, is the event relevant to me?

A: Most people attending the event live within 30 minutes’ drive of the venue and are coming from all over the Thames Valley including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Surrey. Everyone is welcome, whatever your postcode.

Q: Do I need to book a time-slot in advance to meet a consultant or supplier?

A: No, but pre-booking is recommended to ensure you get to sit down with the consultants and supplier whose help you would like. You can book your one-to-one time slot with one or more consultants or suppliers by following this link

Q: How do I book a time-slot to meet a consultant or supplier?

A: You can book your one-to-one appointment with one of more consultants or suppliers by following this link

Q: Am I able to meet with more than one consultant or supplier on the day?

A: Yes you can, when you book online, you will need to book one consultant or supplier appointment at a time. Simply select May 11 ^th then the company you’d like to meet with and the time slot. Then you’ll need to provide your contact details, agree to the booking terms and click ‘confirm booking’

On the next page, you’ll see links to be able to cancel or amend your booking, add the booking to your calendar and ‘book more’.

Q: I’ve booked but can no longer attend. What should I do?

A: If you can no longer attend, we’d be very grateful if you could let us know in advance so we can free up a time slot for someone else. There is a cancellation link in your confirmation email. Hopefully we’ll see you next time!

Q: I haven’t received a confirmation email of my time slot, what can I do?

A: Don’t panic! Firstly, please check your email spam or junk folders & if you can’t see it, please email office@artichoke-design.co.uk

Q: Is there any obligation to buy anything?

A: No, not at all. Thames Valley Build & Design Live 2024 is an opportunity for you to meet build & design professionals who can offer free expert advice and creative ideas to help you transform your home. It is free to attend with no obligation.

Q: Do I need to prepare anything in advance or bring anything with me?

A: No, not at all. You can simply come along and have a chat with the consultants and suppliers you wish to see. It will be helpful if you can think in advance about how you want to build or transform your home. The consultants and suppliers you book to meet may also ask you to consider specific things in order to get the most out of your meeting.

Q: That seems like a lot to take in, how will I remember everything?

A: We’ll give you a helpful booklet with contact details for all of the consultants & suppliers at Thames Valley Build & Design Live. The consultants and suppliers can also send you further information, after the event & you can certainly ask them to do that in your meeting.

Q: What happens after the event?

A: If you meet a consultant who you think is able to help & provide you with the services you need, you can leave your contact details with them and they will be in touch to arrange a further meeting with you.

Q: Do I need to bring a ticket with me?

A: No, if you tell us your name and let us know who you’ve booked an appointment with, you’ll be able to cone straight in. Of course, if there are time-slots still available, you’re also very welcome to come in.

Q: When is the event?

A: Saturday May 11 ^th 2024

Q: What time does it start & finish?

A: It runs from 9.30am – 5pm

Q: Where is Thames Valley Build & Design Live being held?

A: It’s in the Trumbull Room at the newly refurbished & magnificent Easthampstead Park Hotel, a Victorian mansion set in 80 acres of woodland, parkland and formal gardens.

The address is: Easthampstead Park, Off Peacock Lane, Wokingham, RG40 3DF.

Q: Is there parking available?

A: Onsite parking is widely available and is free of charge

If you have any more questions about the venue for Thames Valley Build & Design Live 2024, please contact Easthampstead Park directly on 0118 974 7576

The Building Safety Act

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:37:51 GMT

Navigating the Building Safety Act implications for architectural clients

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.

Did you know Artichoke does commercial property architecture?

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:40:22 GMT

Did you know that Artichoke does commercial property architecture?

We love building design! This often involves designing a refurbishment or extension to a clients home. Or, designing a brand new house.

But, we also work with commercial clients across East Berkshire and surrounding areas including Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey. Our commercial clients operate in the hospitality sector, in healthcare, industrial property and commercial development.

Over the next few months, we’ll sharing more information about this exciting and growing side of Artichoke. Here are two examples.

Oxford Blue / The Loch & The Tyne

The Oxford Blue pub was originally two game keepers cottages that became a cosy but eventually run down local in Windsor. The pub was bought by a group of investors and we were brought in to help transform it into a contemporary gastro pub with the long-term aim of achieving a Michelin star.

We worked closely with the new investors and their experienced hospitality management team to ensure the building was extended and refurbished to the highest standards, including a half million pound commercial kitchen.

Project challenges

This commercial project had a multi-million pound budget and at team of 10 stakeholders, including investors, chefs, the management team, specialist contractors and consultants. We managed this team throughout the design and construction phases ensuring a balance between sometimes conflicting requirements. Weekly team meetings were used to address concerns and highlight opportunities and this was a successful way of managing what was a highly complex project.

Another factor that added to the complexity of this project was its location in the Green Belt. Gaining planning permission for anything other than the simplest development in sensitive locations is rarely straight forward. We were able to secure planning for this project based on our condition survey, which highlighted the poor state of the pub, and our relatively modest and appropriate extension plans.

The end result

After a successful design and build process, it’s truly delightful to see how far the pub has come since it was a tired old local in dire need of love.

The pub has gone from strength to strength and has now been taken over and renamed The Loch and The Tyne, run by Adam Handling. It’s now on the Michelin guide and on Estrella top 50 Gastropubs. Visit www.lochandtyne.com

Manor Farm

The farm includes a listed farmhouse and historic barns, a granary and a milking parlour, and a number of modern agricultural barns. Our role is to develop a viable and feasible scheme at Manor Farm that is capable of securing planning permission. We have worked with planning and heritage consultants and with our client to consider all the constraints and opportunities on site.

Project challenges

A number of challenges will need to be met to get planning permission. The farm is in green belt, in a conservation area and includes listed buildings. This means there could be significant restrictions to the amount and type of development allowed. The farm is also on a floor plain in an ecologically sensitive site. The development will need to show it won’t increase the severity of floods and will protect the site’s ecology. All of this may impact the financial feasibility of the scheme.

The end result

We developed a concept proposal to show a significant planning gain around the refurbishment of the damaged and decaying heritage assets. The was submitted to Runnemede Council and feedback has been broadly positive. Further designs have been prepared and submitted for a second pre-application consultation.

The key to any project is to consult with key stakeholders and this is even more important in a project like Manor Farm. We’re looking forward to working towards a full planning application in the near future.

The perfect match: are you the ideal client for Artichoke?

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 12:10:13 GMT

Are we the right architect for you? Are you the right client for us?

Finding the right architect for you might seem a daunting task. And a good working relationship between a client and architect is crucial to the success of a project. So here are our thoughts on the ideal client-architect relationship…

Our ideal client is someone who appreciates the uniqueness of custom design, the creative process and the value both can bring to their project. You don’t need a clear-cut plan, but a willingness to trust our expertise and journey with us through the design process is key!

Collaboration

Working with Artichoke is wholly collaborative. We look for clients who are eager to engage in a creative partnership and we especially love clients who are responsive and engaged, providing insights and feedback to ensure we shape the project together. Your involvement is crucial – it is your project and we want it to echo your aspirations.

Collaboration is important at all stages of a project. It’s especially important at the initial design phase, prior to regulatory approvals and construction.

Understanding and establishing your brief is fundamental so we can develop designs to suit you. We ask the right questions and we listen so that the outcome is something beyond your expectations.

At Artichoke, we love to invest time in the sketch design process. Sketching helps us present several design proposals quickly and effectively so that we can collaborate with our clients to tweak and refine the design.

Trust

Mutual trust and respect is at the core of our client relationships. We value the confidence you place in our skills, and we wholly respect your opinions and decisions.

Aside from adhering to ARB and RIBA codes of conduct (see below), we hope to foster your trust through continual communication from the outset.

ARB Code of Conduct = https://arb.org.uk/architect-information/architects-code-standards-of-conduct-and-practice/
RIBA Code of Conduct = https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/code-of-professional-conduct#available-resources

Transparency and Budget

Money! Without it, we wouldn’t have clients and projects wouldn’t be realised. We fully understand the sensitivity around discussions about funds. But, transparency about finances helps us align your aspirations with practical possibilities. Being upfront about your budget allows us to tailor our designs and ensures the project is achievable.

Unsure about an exact budget for your project? No problem. We have developed our ‘Kickstarter Consultation’ to help guide clients for them to understand potential costs and constraints for their project at broad brush level, which is often all that is needed. Follow this link to our website https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/kickstarter where you’ll find information on how it works but do get in touch if you’d like more information.

Passion for Quality

We find a shared enthusiasm for quality incredibly rewarding. Clients who have an invested interest in the quality and intricacy of finishes and details often leads to the creation of spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also rich in craftsmanship and functionality. Attention to detail ensures longevity and sustainability of a design, resulting in a building that not only meets current needs but also ages gracefully over time.

As Architects, we are required to stay up to date with current industry standards via a Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme monitored by both the ARB and RIBA. Through this, we can ensure that we implement design that is of the highest quality.

Why Choose Artichoke?

Choosing Artichoke means partnering with a team who are committed to bringing your vision to life. Your project is personal to us and we commit to creating an environment that realises your vision whilst exemplifying well-considered design. The most successful projects are born out of collaboration, trust, transparency, and mutual passion for quality design. Above all else, we want you to enjoy the process!

Have a look at some of our past blog posts for a snapshot of our process and projects:

https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/another-incredible-3-storey-atrium

https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/wraysbury-river-house

https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/be-brave

https://www.artichoke-design.co.uk/new-meets-old

It's been a busy 2023 here at Artichoke!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:30:41 GMT

Here's a summary of what we've been up to in 2023.

Artichoke news

Happy 15 ^th Anniversary Artichoke!

It was in the summer of 2008 when Chris Dale was in a (seemingly secure) role with a bespoke house builder in Maidenhead when – CRUNCH – a global financial crisis hit. Chris was made redundant with a week’s notice and with another child on the way!. It certainly focussed his mind and Artichoke was born. Initially Artichoke delivered very small projects and freelance work for other local architects and grew over the years to be working on projects over £5m with an incredible team of five. The approach has been the same from day 1 – do a great job for every client.

New office for Artichoke

For 12 years, we worked in an office affectionately known as 'The Shed'. We had a year (or so) working from home during Covid and a year working out of Chris's living room (Chris has an incredibly understanding wife)!

So, we were delighted to move into a purpose-built office. Being our own client showed first-hand the worries and considerations our own clients have. Budget is always a big one, but as with every project, simple and cost-effective materials like agricultural cladding, rough-sawn roofing battens and plyboard were detailed to create a refined finish.

We welcomed Esther back from maternity leave!

It seems like a long time ago that Esther left with the exciting news that she was having a baby! Nathan is now a year old and we couldn’t be happier to have Esther's experience, enthusiasm and skill back at Team Artichoke.

And we welcomed a new super-Admin Assistant

We were sad to see Ola leave back in November as she was Artichoke's first Admin Assistant and was fabulous. Nevertheless, we couldn't be more delighted to welcome Juliette to the team who is already embracing the role and making an incredible difference!

Artichoke hosts ‘Windsor Designs’ Live #1 & #2

Being a client isn’t easy and there are a lot of different professionals for them to consider when planning their own grand design.

To try and help, Artichoke created and hosted ‘Windsor Designs Live’ at the stunning Thames Hospice near Bray. Eight different consultants attended including - Architects, Interior Designers, Builders, Smart Homes, Eco Consultant, Planning Consultant and Landscaper. They were all available for clients to meet in person and one-to-one so they could all ask those questions they need to to give themselves the knowledge & comfort they need.

The feedback from both guests and consultants was that it was a huge success, so much so that we’re already planning to host another event in 2024.

The Singing Artichoke

It’s definitely not all work, work, work making Chris a very dull boy. Since January, he’s been singing with the Royal Harmonics, who are one of the top five A Capella Barbershop Choruses in the country. Chris was also asked to sing in a quartet at the prestigious Cowarth Park Hotel and for dinner guests at the RAC Club in Epsom as well as various charity events in and around Windsor. It's a steep learning curve, but great fun!

We delivered some exciting projects too

Sonning, Contemporary Pavilion – PLANNING APPROVED!

Planning permission for one of Artichokes most stunning projects was granted before it was put on hold because of the clients personal circumstances. Adrian then came up with the idea of transferring the basement accommodation to an outbuilding, which would save the client a lot of money and mean an incredible project could still go ahead. Planning was granted without any hiccups and the project is due to start in 2024.

Contemporary Chilterns AONB Home – Completion!

It was pure delight to see this incredible project completed on site.

The design's two splayed wings allowing virtually 360 degree views of the surrounding Chilterns' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty through the floor to ceiling panoramic doors, windows and first floor roof terraces.

The interior is as stunning as the views. The double-height entrance hall has a vaulted roof with a huge rooflight spanning the entire central crown making it bright and spacious. All other spaces lead from the central hall, which also has views through an internal glazed screen into the dining room to the fields beyond.

Manor Farm Pre-app 2

We submitted an updated design to Spellthorne Borough Council for a second pre-application on one of the most incredible sites which we have the privilege to work on.

The site comprises a listed house, a barn, a granary and a parlour. It's in a conservation area, greenbelt and flood plain. But with expert heritage and heritage consultants in the team, the Local Authority's initial concerns have been addressed.

We’re now awaiting their response and aim to be preparing and submitting a full planning application for the site in 2024, so watch this very exciting space!

New Build: Wraysbury Riverside – PLANNING APPROVED

This amazing project was approved the first time partly because our fabulous client took our advice and put together a team of experts to ensure we were fully prepared for the application (and of course in no small part thanks to the great design). That due diligence will be even more important as the project progresses to minimise the chances of any unpleasant surprises. We couldn’t be prouder of the design, which speaks for itself and achieves everything that the client dreamed of.

Slough Medical Surgery extension completed

Thuis surgery was one of two run by the same medical practice. in 2017, they took the decision to close the smaller surgery because it was no longer fit for purpose and extend their main surgery which has been built in the late 1990s.

This surgery building had a very strong architectural language and was built in the heyday of medical rebuilding where budgets were generous and architectural endeavour was high. In 2018 we worked with the client to prepare a scheme for two extensions to the existing surgery. One is a single-storey providing an additional 4 consulting rooms around a private and calm garden area. The other is a two-storey extension containing a new pharmacy.

Following a successful planning application and detailed design the project was interrupted by Covid and subsequently the volatility in materials and build costs. Works started on site and completed in early 2023.

The completed scheme references the very strong architectural detailing and design of the original building undertaken within the client’s budget. Particular attention was taken to form, roof detailing of pitches and overhangs and to the choice of brickwork. We think the design of the extensions successfully blends into the original, complementing it and not competing with it.

Local Authority Design Guides - What do you think?

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 13:08:08 GMT

Which would you rather – you can only pick one!
��️ – Some incredible architecture and some terrible architecture

Or

��️ – No incredible architecture and no terrible architecture

Our love of great design is plastered all over our website and (hopefully) seeps through everything we write and do.

We’re passionate about the built environment but there is a perpetual obstacle…

Local Authorities (Planning) perform a vital function; to ensure that proposed developments are appropriate and don’t harm our build environment or the people that use it. That’s not an easy job and carries an awful lot of responsibility, after all, who can actually decide what is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ design?

Many iconic pieces of architecture, that are now cherished and loved were loathed when they were originally built. Guggenheim, Tour Eiffel, Sagrada Familia to name a few and not just quiet discontent, Pablo Picasso wished those responsible for the world famous Spanish landmark would be “sent to hell” while George Orwell described it as “One of the most hideous buildings in the world!” How can it be that buildings that are held as beautiful and iconic were so utterly scathed when they were first designed??

The answer is (I think) quite simple; people are afraid of what they don’t know or understand and almost by definition, this is what contemporary architecture (and art) tries to do, to push design boundaries.

How on earth are Local Authorities supposed to assess a design proposal or style of which they have little or no experience, or anything to compare with? Again, the answer is (or seems) simple in principle but not in practice; those judging design should be suitably qualified to do so (although seemingly – even designers can’t agree on good (contemporary) design – see Sagrada Familia!). Nevertheless – whilst there will always be disagreements between (qualified?!) designers and the general public, there seems some logic in having someone, who is qualified (?!) and experienced to make such a critical decision. For larger more significant building, there are review panels, attended by architects, amongst others – which on balance seems to be a sensible approach because it hopefully means on balance there will be more good decisions than bad.

This is all very well for larger projects, but what about all of the tiny projects that make up the majority of the residential streets that make our towns and villages where we actually spend most of our lives?

This is where (from most of our experiences) the system seems to fall apart. Obviously, Local Authorities, which are already stretched to say the least, do not have the resource to allocate an experienced or qualified designer to every single smaller project (for small, read a handful of dwellings or less). The solution is seemingly quite logically, intended to help the less experienced officers to assess the wide variety of proposals they must consider by creating some design guidance for them (also to try and ensure consistent decision making).

In principle this sounds very sensible, however, trying to distil the almost infinitely broad ranges of sites, situations, clients, desires and hence (viable and good) possibilities into a single design guide is not possible. The result is a design guide which is based on a very narrow set of ‘typical’ and ‘traditional’ instances of examples or situations that are known to work well. That also actually sounds great…doesn’t it?

This is where my heart sinks and genuinely sometime brings me to the verge of tears.

Because it’s typically placed in the hands of junior officers (see LA resourcing issues above) without design experience the well intentioned ‘guidance’ is taken as gospel and 99% of the time they then also do not have the confidence to deviate (at all) from the well-intentioned document. The consequences, in my eyes are truly catastrophic. Without the realistic opportunity for designs, which don’t conform to the guidance, to be approved, but which can still be full of passion, beauty and respect for the built environment – the variety, diversity, interest and creativity of the built environment is already suffering.

In all but the most historic densely populated towns (where there is generally less scope for development), you usually don’t have to walk very far to see how many buildings and extensions there are which are so ‘safe’ and so ‘magnolia’ – pastiche copies of styles gone by, that there is nothing that looks new, interesting, breaks any moulds or inspires anyone.

Full circle - here we go right back to the start of this blog. There is no doubt, a risk of allowing anything new or different, as inevitably there will be new building(s) that are labelled as ‘carbunkles’ - and some of them may be. But, others (and the appreciation can take time!) will be seen as iconic and will be loved and this even (especially?) applies to the smaller projects, in the streets which make up the majority of our villages, towns & cities.

What it really comes down to is trust and it’s no different with the planning system than it is in everyday life; we have to make decisions whether to trust someone or something. Most of the time we’ll probably get it right – other times we won’t and it might have a small consequence or it might have significant consequences. As in life though, it’s a choice and a fight not to allow the let-downs to make you cynical – who wants to live in that world??

Of course, I’m not recommending blind or uneducated trust, that just leaves a big wide open door to abuse but without some more trust in the ability of experienced and passionate designers to do what they’re (generally) good at, what a hideously bland world we will all live in.

The thing that led to this blog was reviewing once small element of RBWM’s Borough Wide Design Guide regarding one of the smallest types of development – the dormer window.

This is an example of their ‘guidance’ – you can read the rest in full here https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/home/planning/planning-policy/planning-guidance/adopted-supplementary-planning-documents-spds/borough-wide-design-guide-spd

Not surprisingly there are probably hundreds of instances of designs, which would probably not accord with the guidance but which I think are beautiful and some of which have won awards. Had this guidance been applied – they would not exist – and our world would be architecturally that little bit poorer and less diverse.

As with every one of our clients, we do not tell them what they should or shouldn’t like. We try and inspire them and we try and help them to understand what the options are, what might suit them and why. Thereafter, they make the decisions.

The same applies here. By writing this blog, I’m not trying to tell everyone that they should like modern architecture. What I am trying to do is ask them (you ;o) to decide for themselves whether they would rather accept a safe but inspirational and cynical world or whether it’s better to have faith, trust, be susceptible to things that aren’t great but allow the potential to be inspired and to allow our built environment to flourish.

Windsor Designs Live #2 – a second success!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 13:35:23 GMT

The event was so well received both by visitors and the consultants whom attended that Artichoke will be running another in Spring 2024.

Building a new home, extending or renovating is riddled with the unknown and hundreds of questions.

It’s no surprise that so many people in exactly that position came to speak to the array of experts available to start getting help, advice & inspiration how they might start (or continue) with that journey to take away some of the stress.

Everyone who has come to either of the two Windsor Designs Live has said how incredibly helpful it was. Not just to get guidance from one of the consultants but rather than having to try and see each individually it was possible to meet them all in one place at the same time. This enabled them to deal with virtually all of the big questions they had to help them push on with their projects, in some cases after months of not knowing where to start.

The Thames Hospice couldn’t have been a better venue and building for this event as it embodies design that will have factored all of the input from consultants similar to those that were there on Saturday:

• Planning Consultants – Critical where the proposal is likely to push planning policy. Even a small amount of initial guidance can avoid wasted design time. Then ensuring an application is worded in the strongest way to show compliance with multiple policies.

For more help contact: www.etplanning.co.uk

• Architects – Typically the main consultant, both helping the client to establish the best possible design, ensuring initially that the brief is right and then co-ordinating (with) the wider team to bring the design proposals as close to it as possible. The requirements might be more or better space(s), light – to improve the wellbeing of the user, specific technologies – environmental or audiovisual or cost. It’s likely to be a combination but the artichoke will help assemble the right team.

For more help contact: www.artichoke-design.co.uk

• Main Contractor – As with the architect being the design lead & co-ordinator, the main contractor will lead and manage the build project on site and co-ordinate materials, the subcontractors, be they groundworkers, roofer or one of the ‘Designer Contractors’ attending Windsor Designs Live.

For more help contact: www.thekingbrothers.co.uk

Although not employed on every project there are significant benefits in seeking the guidance of other’s who attended, especially if their field of expertise is something which is important to you and your project. Most of what they do will be evident by their title, the key thing to remember is that they have a lot of experience and can ensure not only that the design and specification are exactly what you need but that they will be properly implemented and suit your budget.

• Landscape Designer & Contractor – www.johnpadwick.co.uk

• Interior Designer – www.atelierinteriordesign.co.uk

• Bespoke Furniture Designer & Contractor – marktaylordesign.co.uk

• Smart Home Consultant & Contractor – www.pro-teck.co.uk

• Energy Consultant & Contractor – www.xpertenergy.co.uk

Even though it’s often clear that our clients are desperate to push on with a project, we wholly appreciate the amount of different things to consider can make it so daunting and overwhelming that sometimes the project just stalls before it even starts. Whether it’s at one of the Windsor Designs Live events or separately, Artichoke and all of the other consultants will be more than happy to talk to you to help you to better understand what you need to consider and who would be best placed to give the guidance to ensure your project is a success.

If you want to arrange a call or a meeting, please do give us a call or email and we’d be delighted to discuss your project with you.

We couldn't have done it without the help of my team and of course, my amazing wife - Emma, whose idea it was to have the event at the Thames Hospice, as she works for this great company.

Windsor Designs Live #1

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:13:07 GMT

Windsor Designs Live #1 was a huge success!

The backdrop was a scorching day at the stunning Thames Hospice, with views over Bray lake and the early morning swimmers slipping though the water; glistening in the morning sun.

Our first visitors arrived punctually just before 09:00 in time for a fresh coffee and a Jaffa cake, for the first of two Windsor Designs Live events we’re hosting, which aim to help anyone at any stage of their project of which there were quite an array.

• Two new build dwellings; in the flood plain in Windsor; and in Holyport

• Early developments of a school boat club on the banks of the Thames in Windsor

• Several extensions and a loft conversion

• The remodelling of houses and gardens

• The refurbishment and remodelling of a fire damaged listed property in Old Windsor

Every one of our visitors met with at least 2 of the consultants and in some cases they met with 5 or more and all said how incredibly useful it was to be able to arrange meetings with so many different experts in the construction industry all in one place on the same day. The meetings gave them the confidence to progress with their projects, where some of them felt that they had been stuck before the day.

Because all of the consultants know the development process and what help the others had to offer, where some guests had only booked in to see one or two consultants, it was possible to quickly understand the guests’ project’s and suggest that they might benefit from speaking to one or more of the other consultants there. Again, the feedback from our guests was that this was hugely helpful and they ended up getting much more help and guidance than they had realised was relevant or even necessary.

All of the guests, all of whom had projects in mind said that they would definitely encourage any friends with projects to come along to the next Windsor Designs Live on Saturday 7th October.

The feedback from our consultants was similarly positive. Not only did they have very enjoyable days in a stunning environment they were also able to spend time with the other consultants making and strengthening connections, all of which of course helps with fluidity and confidence when they are working with clients in the future and need advice or services.

Consultant Insights

We’ll be running a series of posts delving into each consultant in turn so that you can decide whether to come along to the next event and get the help of one or more of them with any project that you might have in mind.

Thank you

We’d like to say a big thank you to the team at Artichoke and at The Thames Hospice lead by Ola and Annie (respectively) that put in lots of hard work organising the event, my wife, daughter & her friend for being charming and helpful ushers, all of whose help made the event run so smoothly and successfully.

Also, the 6 other consultants or the flow of cheer and all of the great advice they gave:

Emily Temple Planning – Planning Consultant

Mark Taylor Design – Bespoke Joinery and Furniture Design

King Brothers Builders & Decorators – Builders & Decorators

John Padwick Landscapes – Landscape Design & Construction

Atelier Interior Designers – Interior Designer

Xpert Energy – Renewable Energy Solutions

And of course – to all of the guests who came!

The first event was quite daunting, we wanted to make sure that everyone giving their time felt it was worthwhile, which was unanimously the case, so we’re now very excited about the next Windsor Designs Live and hoping to see many more of you there so that the expert team of consultants can help you with all the questions and worries you have about your project.

Experience the Day in Stunning Pictures - Click the Arrow!

Windsor Designs Live

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 13:46:03 GMT

Windsor Designs Live is here!

Transforming your home with an extension or refurbishment, building a new one or redesigning your garden are major undertakings. And they can be a huge worry!

Artichoke Architectural Consultancy has created Windsor Design Live to help take some of the stress out of the process, by bringing together a group of partner consultants and suppliers who can offer you expert advice and creative ideas to help you on your journey to transform your home.

Windsor Designs Live 2023 will take place on Saturday 9th September and again on Saturday 7th October at Thames Hospice’s The Education Centre in Bray.

This is an in-person event where you can book a one-to-one meeting with the consultants and suppliers who can help you transform your home with no obligation. You can ask lots of questions and receive free expert advice and guidance alongside ideas and inspiration. This is all about alleviating your worries.

You can meet a wide range of consultants and suppliers who can help you transform your home, with complimentary refreshments throughout the day and a brochure to take home with contact details for all the consultants and suppliers.

Pre-booking one-to-one meetings is highly recommended. All you need to do is follow this link .

About Artichoke: Architectural Consultancy

Artichoke loves designing homes! Most Artichoke clients live in East Berkshire, including Windsor, Maidenhead, Bracknell, Ascot. They also work on projects in Buckinghamshire and Surrey and are happy to work much further afield. The team at Artichoke understands that transforming an existing home or building a new home is a major undertaking for most clients and a huge financial investment. It can quite understandably be a huge worry. Artichoke’s priority is to take as much stress out of the process as possible. They are easy to talk to, great at listening and they ask all the right questions. They want to understand their clients from the outset and deal with concerns and offer solutions as the design and construction process unfolds. Artichoke: Architectural Consultancy delivers a reassuringly transparent service that is entirely personal to you.

About Mark Taylor Design

The company has a deep understanding of form, technique, design process and materials. We specialise in Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Studies, Bars, Home Cinemas and individual furniture pieces.

As well as Bespoke kitchens, Mark Taylor Design has also developed a concept kitchen range, MeThD.

Mark Taylor Design is renowned for their use of innovative materials and for transforming clients’ homes into truly extraordinary spaces.

www.marktaylordesign.co.uk

mtd@marktaylordesign.co.uk

Wilton Farm, Marlow Road
Little Marlow

Buckinghamshire SL7 3RR

01628 486707

About Atelier Interior Design

Atelier Interior Design is all about aesthetic performance and cohesion. We want form and function to unite in a big warm hug! It's all about the emotions a space can invoke and how it makes you feel.

Katie Hyde set up her studio in 2015 following twenty years of industry experience in the design, interiors and styling field. Katie spent time working in Paris in her early years - honing her craft and refining her eye. Over the course of her career she has collaborated with many industry figure heads, been published in the international press as well as appearing on the small screen.

Katie believes that well designed spaces are not just an expression of a vision, but should function effortlessly and enhance the wellbeing of the user. Katie has the invaluable knowledge of ergonomics, spatial planning, and creative vision that is needed to form good interior design. Put simply, Katie will make your space work.

www.atelierinteriordesign.co.uk

hello@atelierinteriordesign.co.uk

01753 479492

About John Padwick Landscapes

John Padwick started landscaping in his summer holidays when he was studying at Lancaster University and set up his landscape and maintenance business in 1987.

Based in Datchet near Windsor, John and his team are dedicated to designing and creating beautiful gardens and drives and are proud of their strong reputation for quality work.

Why choose John Padwick Landscapes? We have been trading since 1987 with hundreds of happy customers, we have written testimonials and references available on request. Our clients are our best advertisement.

www.johnpadwick.co.uk

johnpadwicklandscapes@hotmail.com

44 London Road
Datchet
Berkshire SL3 9JR
01753 540376

About Thames Hospice

The venue for Windsor Designs Live 2023 on both dates is The Education Centre at architecturally inspiring Thames Hospice, overlooking Bray Lake. The venue address is Thames Hospice, Windsor Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2DN. For more information on how to find the venue please follow this link. Thames Hospice is one of the leading hospices in the UK, providing inpatient and community palliative and end-of-life care services across East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire for people from the age of 16. Proudly serving its community for more than 30 years, the hospice’s modern facilities include a 29-bed inpatient unit, a wellbeing centre offering day therapy services, physiotherapy, complementary therapy, lymphoedema services, counselling and bereavement support.

About ET Planning

ET Planning is an independent town planning consultancy providing expert planning advice to land and property owners, developers and investors. The company was founded by Emily Temple in 2017 following 12 years of experience in the public and private sector at Test Valley and Wokingham Borough Councils, and a national multi-disciplinary consultancy.

We offer a personalised service to help you navigate the planning system, including strategic planning advice, site appraisals, planning applications, planning appeals and the resolution of enforcement disputes. We negotiate on your behalf as your planning agent to find solutions.

www.etplanning.co.uk

crowthorne@etplanning.co.uk

200 Dukes Ride

Crowthorne RG45 6DS

01344 508048

About King Brothers

King Brothers is a family run building contractor established in 1986 and based in Windsor. We are proud of our customers relationships and we make sure they are involved every step of the way during their projects.

Our professional team is highly motivated and totally committed to delivering the highest standard possible. We undertake all types of contracts, either domestic or commercial, with experience from extensions to refurbishments, conversions to maintenance.

To maintain our good reputation we have brought together a team from local trades and craftsmen. Our customers appreciate our commitment to quality workmanship and with their support our business has continued to develop and grow. New customers are always welcome so please do not hesitate to contact us on the details above for free estimates and advice.

www.thekingbrothers.co.uk

info@thekingbrothers.co.uk

68 Clewer Hill Road

Windsor SL4 4BW

01753 858883

About Xpert Energy

Xpert Energy offers bespoke solutions for individual property energy requirements.

This can include specifying systems to provide heating, hot water, ventilation with heat recovery and electrical production and storage and then installing the whole system, commissioning and testing. Once the system is running our service engineers will look after the system to ensure correct working and operation. So it really is a turnkey solution for building energy.

We employ a team of consultants that 3D thermal model buildings and design, supply and model new or replacement systems. We also employ a team of specialist engineers from a wide range of backgrounds to carry out installation projects within new build and domestic sectors.

As you would expect we are fully accredited installers under the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme). We are certified by CHAS, CONSTRUCTION LINE, RECC, F-GAS, Trustmark and Gas Safe registered.

www.xpertenergy.co.uk

install@xpertenergy.co.uk

2 Hercules House

Calleva Park, Aldermaston

Reading

Berkshire RG7 8DN

0118 930 3600

Frequently Asked Questions about Windsor Designs Live 2023

Q Is Windsor Designs Live 2023 free to attend?

A Yes, the event is completely free and includes tea, coffee and biscuits!

Q Who is it for?

A Anyone thinking of extending or refurbishing their property, or needing advice, ideas and inspiration in the short or long term at whatever stage of the process they are.

Q I don’t live in Windsor, is the event relevant to me?

A Most people attending the event live within 30 minutes’ drive of Windsor, from Marlow to Bagshot to Twyford. But you are more than welcome to attend wherever you are from.

Q Do I have to book a time slot in advance to meet a consultant or supplier?

A No, but pre-booking is recommended to ensure you get to sit down with the consultants and suppliers whose help you would like. You can book your one-to-one time slot with one or more consultants or suppliers by following this link .

Q How do I book a time slot to see a consultant or supplier?

A You can book your one-to-one time slot with one or more consultants or suppliers by following this link .

Q Can I see more than one consultant or supplier on the day?

A Yes you can. When you book online, you need to book one consultant or supplier at a time. Choose the date, the company you want to see and the time slot. Then provide the contact details required, agree to the booking terms and click “Confirm booking”. On the next page you’ll see links to cancel your booking, add the booking to your calendar and “Book more”. You can also click “Back to services” to choose a different date.

Q I’ve booked but can no longer attend. What should I do?

A If you cannot attend, we’d be very grateful if you’d let us know in advance so we can free up your time slot for someone else. There is a cancellation link in your confirmation email. Just click it and follow this instructions. And hopefully we’ll see you next time!

Q I haven’t received a confirmation email of my time slot, what can I do?

A Don’t worry. First, please check your email spam or junk folders. If you can’t see please email office@artichoke-design.co.uk

Q Is there any obligation to buy anything?

A No, not at all. Windsor Designs Live 2023 is an opportunity for you to meet consultants and suppliers who can offer expert advice and creative ideas to help transform your home. It is free to attend with no obligation.

Q Do I need to prepare anything in advance or bring anything with me?

A No, not at all. You can simply come along and have a chat with the consultants and suppliers you wish to see. It will be helpful if you can think in advance about how you want to transform your home. The consultants and suppliers you book to meet may also ask you to consider specific items in order get the most out of your meeting.

Q That seems like a lot to take in, how will I remember everything?

A We’ll give you helpful booklet with contact details for all the consultants and suppliers at Windsor Designs Live. The consultants and suppliers you book to meet may also send you further information and you can certainly ask them to do so.

Q What happens after the event?

A If you meet someone who may be able to help you, you can leave your contact details with them and they will get in touch to arrange a further meeting with you.

Q Do I need to bring a ticket with me?

A No, if you tell us your name and you’ve booked (or if there are still slots available) you’ll be able to come straight in.

Q When is the next event?

A Saturday 9 ^th September and again on Saturday 7 ^th October.

Q What time does it start?

A Windsor Designs Live 2023 starts at 9.30am on both Saturday 9 ^th September and Saturday 7 ^th October. The event finishes at 5.30pm on both days.

Q Where is Windsor Designs Live 2023 being held?

A The Education Centre at architecturally inspiring Thames Hospice, overlooking Bray Lake. The venue address is Thames Hospice, Windsor Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2DN. For more information on how to find the venue please follow this link .

Q Is there parking available and what is the cost?

A Onsite parking is available free of charge.

If you have any more questions about the venue for Windsor Designs Live 2023, please contact Thames Hospice directly on 01753 848964.

Exciting News at Artichoke: Thinking Architecture

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:21:07 GMT

New Office, New Inspiration!

We are thrilled to unveil the brand-new office space that Artichoke has designed for its incredible team of architects! Our team has poured their creativity and passion into crafting space and structure that perfectly reflects our values of simplicity, functionality, and cost-effectiveness.

A stunning blend of minimalistic and understated architectural features that bring a unique charm to the workplace. The use of agricultural black corrugated metal and rough sawn timber cladding adds an industrial touch while the 3 sets of French doors maintain a connection with nature and the environment.

The oak-faced ply ceiling, wall lining, and window surrounds exude warmth and elegance, creating a comforting atmosphere that promotes creativity and collaboration among our talented architects.

The rough concrete floor gives our space a firm grounding as we continue to design and build for the future.

Our architects are buzzing with excitement as they step into this inspiring environment each day. It's incredible how a well-designed space can fuel our passion for crafting innovative and visionary designs.

At Artichoke, we really believe architecture not only shapes communities but can have a huge impact on their moods and wellbeing.

We can't wait to welcome clients, partners, and friends into our new home. Why not come and visit us and experience first hand the simple space and exceptional team that we’re so proud of!

We learned a lot about being a client and how stressful the process and all the decisions can be, so it has not only given us a space to work but has helped us to be even more empathetic with our clients, having had first hand experience!

Another (incredible) 3 storey atrium!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:03:48 GMT

Second to the kerb appeal of an imposing, beautifully designed symmetrical, house with feature stonework, behind a huge gate and a spacious gravelled forecourt...

Second to the kerb appeal of an imposing, beautifully designed symmetrical, house with feature stonework,

behind a huge gate and a spacious gravelled forecourt - has to be the first impression you get when you walk into an equally impressive house.

In this case you’re blown away by the quality of the space – the natural light that’s cascading down through the full height of the house through the bank of 3 large roof windows and the rear windows to the first floor, to the centre of a plan that’s 15m deep (that’s the length of a long articulated lorry), that can often be quite dark – definitely not in this case!

This is the kind of review of a house you might read in an estate agents’ literature. It perfectly describes the amazing architecture and spaces. What it doesn’t convey is the challenges that were overcome so that the project surpassed the client’s expectations.

With a brief to double the size of a house, it is a significant challenge to ensure that all the incidental spaces (such as hallways and staircases) are proportionate to the final, enlarged design and not just to end up with long, narrow corridors between bigger spaces tagged onto the existing house.

This is what many homeowners would do to avoid the need to demolish and re-arrange so much of the existing structure. We’ve written other blogs & articles about this Quantity or Quality ? Usually, when a client is bold (and of course has the financial luxury to be bold) and is prepared to consider a holistic approach and revisit the masterplan, it is possible to achieve something outstanding. Then – rather than just the new spaces being outstanding – all of the existing spaces (and the house as a whole will be outstanding. This includes the incidental spaces, which can shine and ensure wherever you are in the house that you have the same experience and joy and don’t ever feel that you’re in a part that has been forgotten.

Whilst it’s very easy to try and justify a bold and destructive approach that leads to more significant construction costs – the good architect will take a step back and review the initial proposals to see if there are ways of achieving the great and bold design but retaining as much as possible of the existing structure – that’s clever design and ensures that there is a practical balance between budget and design, and the client’s purse is not seen as an easy way of achieving big, bright and beautiful spaces by being lazy.

The wows don’t stop there…

The fine marble floor throughout, the sleek contemporary kitchen,

dining & family space to the rear, again with no shortage of natural light from the roof lanterns in this space and the full height

– full width sliding doors to the rear, overlooking a generous patio and green lawn surrounded by mature trees.

From the rear the house and the single storey extension are subtle and refined,

giving the owners all the space (and light) they could ever want but without the house feeling unhomely

– on the contrary, to their credit the property feels calm and welcoming.

The end results are beautifully and enthusiastically described in italics above but critically, it is having faith in the carefully considered process of establishing a brief and constantly challenging and reworking it, which leads the designs to that point.

The clients were a delight to work with and as with others that have had faith in bold decisions have been equally delighted with the results.

Will I be able to extend my home (or build a new one)?!

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 13:17:35 GMT

We know that there are some really big worries when buying a new property:

• Will I get a good design from an architect?

• Will I get planning permission?

• Will I be able to afford it?

• How long will it all take?

Well – unless you can answer these questions, then you might need some help – typically from an architect.

We know that it feels like a huge commitment to appoint an architect with thousands of pounds of fees with a project that’s likely to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds with very little idea of what you’ll get or whether it’s even feasible.

The truth is that the more you’re time & money you’re willing/able to commit, the more accuracy and certainty you’ll gain regarding your project.

However, we appreciate that sometimes all that’s needed is a very high level, broad brush appraisal that will give you an initial clue whether the project is even viable – without having to spend thousand of pounds on fees and avoiding buying a property, where you might not be able to do what you want to do. In many cases even if you can’t do what you had hoped to do, there can still be creative solutions which might make it worthwhile.

Because we hear these concerns so frequently, we’ve developed a service specifically for these reasons, which we call the Kick Starter Package . Rather than committing in a big way, for a relatively low initial fee you’ll get an introduction to the practice to see if you’re comfortable working with us as well as a report to try and help you decide how and whether to progress.

What’s typically included:

We’ll review your need and provide a very high level report, which will include:

• A site meeting to establish your brief and requirements

• Planning history & constraints

• A single hand drawn design option (if plans are available)

• An outline build budget (based on a range of rates)

• An indication of any consultants that may need to be involved

• An indication of timescales and different stages of the project

I. Concept Design

II. Planning Applications

III. Building Regulations Application

IV. Production (construction) information

V. Tendering

VI. Build Process & Contract Administration

• A quote for any further services if you need them

(all above subject to information available)

We know it’s very stressful buying a property with so much uncertainty, so please do give us a call if you’d like to chat with one of our architects, who would be happy to explain in more detail how we might be able to help you to get a clearer picture.

Quantity or Quality

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 13:56:04 GMT

So, your house doesn’t flow, it’s a rat run of badly lit and badly planned spaces that don’t work the way you want them too.

Do you:

A – Spend all your budget building a beautiful new extension that will give you the bright modern space that you’re yearning after, but which will not fix the existing issues, meaning that the rest of your house won’t be up to the same quality as the extension?

Or do you:

B – Address the issues that compromise the existing house by improving circulation, opening up spaces and bringing in light which will mean that the extension may not be needed and make the whole house “work” and be brought up to a comprehensive high quality of design and finish.

This can be a surprisingly difficult call to make, especially when most property (on the face of it) is valued by amount of (floor) space – rather than by amount AND quality of that space. Hence for many people that have hundreds of thousands of their hard-earned money riding on a project, they often want to have a physical (spatial) return that has increased the amount of property that they have. Of course, what this approach will almost certainly mean (as indicated above) is that – yes, you will get more space, BUT all of the things that frustrated you about the house as it was – will still be there when you have your new addition.

As architects passionate about making our clients houses work for them, some of our most rewarding projects have had clients with exactly this predicament, where they could not see a solution to their problems without extending, where their home had been extended multiple times in the past without anyone, at any stage considering the masterplan and how to really fix it. This isn’t of course always straight forward from a design or a construction point of view as you’re usually having to figure out the best design to unpick what’s been done badly and which needs to be undone and put back together in a beautiful way but you’ll probably be spending a fair bit on design and construction in doing that.

In every instance where our clients have decided that they (more or less) already had the space they needed and decided to focus on re-organising and improving what they already had – they have been utterly delighted with the end results!

We are currently working with great clients in Twyford, Berkshire who approached us wanting a full width rear extension to give them a modern kitchen diner on the back of a house - that had already had 3 previous extensions… Our sketch scheme design process, involves working up their brief in detail and looking at all the options (extend and refurbish, extend only and refurbish only). Whilst always considering their available budget, we came up with a solution that did not extend but unlocked the potential of the house and allowed them to have what will be a very modern full refurbished house with no compromised, underused or wasted spaces, which they decided would be a better option than they had initially conceived.

We are currently on site with completion due in the next couple of months and as the old spaces in the house open up, and they see the new spaces forming they are utterly thrilled with the design.

We can’t wait to share the final photos!

Why Artichoke?

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:21:01 GMT

A question lots of people ask when we meet them for the first time.

A question lots of people ask when we meet them for the first time and they’re considering trusting us with their project – up there with what we do, how do we do it, how much will it cost etc etc!!

Obviously when I was made redundant in 2008, and decided that was the sign to start my own practice - as well as clients, I needed a name!

Really, I have to thank a chap called Scott Black, with whom I used to work as it was him that lead me to it; he used to say things like “Have you chased the artichokes?” when we were working with external architects on projects.

Although Scott planted the seed and it popped into my head straight away, I needed to test it, as I would with any design project. The more I thought about it – the better and more suitable it became.

It’s d i f f e r e n t & P L ay F uL – probably what appealed to me the most. This stands for a general way of life and approach to find solutions to problems – be creative, offer unexpected alternatives. We had a go at reimagining our logo (image 3) for the Bauhaus Centenary
– see our post P lay explore make mistakes it's okay .
It begins with an A – in the olden days when people looked in big yellow books for their services, which were in alphabetical order – it was helpful to be near the top to be seen more.
It’s green – although it was over 15 years ago, we were already becoming aware that we needed to have a lot more consideration for our environment.
It’s an attractive logo - 1. although I suppose you can turn anything into a logo, when I started looking at images (image 1) , I was immediately taken by it. Each grows and forms with the same process and (like every project) ends up beautiful and unique ;o)
It’s HARD WORK to prepare (but worth it) – to get the best out of anything takes effort, often the greater the challenge, the greater the effort needed but the more rewarding the end result.
It’s err….um…. M E M O R A B L E ! – like the service, the designs and the projects, we’ve been told that our logo (image 2) sticks in people's minds.

Quite a lot of that thought process happened in fractions of a second and some came to me over time but as the relevance & meaning just kept growing and growing – we stuck with the logo. Maybe one day it will bloom as it’s actually not a vegetable but a bud for much of its life before it finally flourishes into a beautiful purple flower (image 4) .

Which of these appeals to you the most or can you think of another aspect of the artichoke that makes it relevant to what we do?

Wraysbury River House

Thu, 18 May 2023 09:47:55 GMT

What an exciting project this is, we can’t wait till it’s built, but how did it start?

What did the final planning application for this early sketch, end up looking like?

We started this exciting journey for a new dwelling on the banks of the Thames in Wraysbury just over a year ago.

As is the case with every project, it started as dream in the heads (and hearts :o) of our clients – it was then our job to translate them; first into a workable brief and then through trial and error through the design process, through numerous iterations, into the final solution – balancing a host of different requirements. We included a very early concept 3D view, which was very useful, both to help us develop the design but critically to help the client to visualise something that is definitely not traditional!

It has taken this long as quite rightly our client took our advice to pre-consult with a comprehensive list of experts to ensure we avoided as many unpleasant surprises as possible, which should mean a smoother, quicker & more accurately costed process going forward.

Planning Consultant – Ensuring throughout the process that the proposals developed with a thorough understanding all of the Local Authorities relevant policies.

Flood Consultant – Ensuring the designs comply with flood policy as the site abuts a river.

Structural Engineer – Ensuring a practical, buildable proposal as the contemporary design is partially on stilts to raise it above the 1:10 flood levels.

Energy Consultant – Ensuring that the proposed building is both energy efficient and with large areas of glass can function in the warming climate without the need for expensive cooling equipment.

Basement Specialist – Initial proposals included a basement pool, a specialist field, especially when it’s proposed adjacent to a river and in a flood zone!

Quantity Surveyor – Possibly the most fundamental aspect – to ensure throughout that our proposals are constantly cost checked, to enable the client to make design decisions based on empirical evidence (rather than “ooh let’s not do that stair/rooflight/etc – it ‘sounds’ expensive”)

It’s still a long way to go but with the preparation and work that has already gone into this stunning project – this is certainly a big milestone!

We’re looking forward to updating you in a couple of months (subject to LA timescales…)

Please do get in touch if you’ve been dreaming of your own project and we will be delighted to discuss it with you and help you make it reality!

Smart House? Our top tips!

Thu, 04 May 2023 10:34:58 GMT

We were on site last week on our project for a replacement house in Reading, which is our first fully “smart” house rather than a refurbishment one.

It was great to see progress on site and also to see what the smart install is actually like on site. We have worked hard with the client and the Smart tech installers from Pro-Teck Electrical It was amazing to see the installation process of all the equipment!

On the project we used the Loxone system which controls everything in the house including music, lighting, heating, front door, security cameras, window blinds and TV. Below is a photo of the current state of the install (only one of the two racks).

Based on our experience of our first fully smart house we thought we pass on our top 11 things to consider if you want a smart house:

Connectivity: Your smart home will require a reliable internet connection to work properly. A strong Wi-Fi network is necessary for all your smart devices to communicate with each other.
Compatibility: Not all smart devices work together, so you'll need to make sure the devices you choose are compatible with each other. Check the specifications of each device to ensure that they will work seamlessly with each other.
Security: With the increase in smart home devices comes an increased risk of cyber-attacks. Make sure to invest in robust security measures to protect your network and data from hackers.
Control: Choose a platform that allows you to control all your smart devices in one place, whether it's through an app, voice control, or a central hub.
Budget: Smart home devices can be expensive, so consider your budget and prioritize which devices you want to invest in. Start with the basics and add more devices as your budget allows.
Privacy: Make sure to read the privacy policies of the devices you're considering and choose ones that prioritize your privacy.
Energy efficiency: Smart devices can help you save energy by automating tasks like turning off lights and adjusting your thermostat. Consider investing in energy-efficient devices to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
User-friendliness: Choose devices that are easy to use and set up. Complicated devices can be frustrating and might not get used as much as simpler ones.
Maintenance: Smart devices require maintenance and updates to ensure they continue to work properly. Make sure to factor in the time and cost of maintenance when considering which devices to buy.
Futureproofing: Technology is always changing, so choose devices that are future-proof and can be upgraded as new technology becomes available. This will ensure that your smart home remains up-to-date and continues to meet your needs in the future.
Space: as we note above its amazing how much space a smart home system takes up both in terms of cabling routes and the “brains” of the system. Therefore, when you are planning your system you make sure to allow an appropriate amount of well-ventilated space for the brains and for cable runs through your property.

By considering these factors, you can create a smart home that fits your needs and lifestyle.

BE BRAVE!

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 10:49:46 GMT

If there was one thing I would wish for my kids, it’s that they are brave.

I don’t mean fight the biggest person in the class and get a bloody nose, I mean follow your heart regardless of what other people will think of you – stand up and sing your song – or regret it! The fear of the shame of getting things wrong and being mocked is (in my view) the greatest and saddest obstacle in our lives.

Design is very much like this – it’s why so many developer houses are painted magnolia – you stick year head above the parapet and do something different and you’re immediately exposing yourself.

If only it were as easy as that eh?! When it comes to architectural design, the proposals (quite rightly) have to be approved by the local authority to ensure they don’t cause any (unreasonable) harm to the amenity of neighbours and the surroundings of the property. The problem is that there is no incentive for the Local Authority to be brave – why would they risk accepting an individual modern design, for which they might be criticised, when they can play it safe and make everything new look like – everything old! The truth is that they rarely (seem to) take the risk.

I was going to say we got lucky with one of the most beautiful buildings we’ve ever designed, when the (temporary) conservation officer was a firm believer in the continuing the story of historical style to reflect the time in which it would be designed and built, which gave the local authority the confidence they needed to support the proposal. It was not just luck though as without fear of arrogance – this is a stunning design – and that is because of the amount of time we spent on it – being brutally critical with ourselves until we couldn’t see any way of making it any better.

In the end, I was grilled by a senior planning officer for 45 minutes about the design – it was the easiest test of my life as I’d been so utterly immersed in the project that there wasn’t a single question that I hadn’t already considered and they granted the proposal a delegated approval.

It certainly isn’t for everyone though and although I might adore modern architecture (I also love heritage architecture (just less of a fan of mock-anything!)) I appreciate the time, commitment, cost and risk that it takes to go for it, so whole heartedly support all of our clients, in whatever they want to do.

If you do want to stick your head above the parapet and sing your song though – give us a call – we’d love to work with you!

The main materials we used for the design:

https://www.equitone.com/en-gb/materials/natura/

https://www.cor-ten-steel.co.uk/index.php/corten-cladding/

More boys say they want to be Architects than girls?!

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:10:00 GMT

According to this BBC article – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zhsbkhv – wanting to be an Architect ranks number 10 for boys but doesn’t rank for girls.

More boys say they want to be Architects than girls?!

According to this BBC article – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zhsbkhv – wanting to be an Architect ranks number 10 for boys but doesn’t rank for girls.

It seems like very old news that girls and women can do anything (including becoming Architects) as well or better than boys & men, it’s just such a shame that for whatever reason they don’t want to, or perhaps don’t believe that they can or should (even worse and of course NOT true!).

It’s truly a loss.

Other than of course the simple fact that everyone really should be treated equally, there are significant benefits of diversity (at @Artichoke or any company) is that, as a team, we have a greater breadth of thought, empathy and understanding, all of which are a massive help, given that we work with so many different people, from different sexes, races, religions, nationalities (etc).

I’m delighted to say that not only do we have the creative, experienced and skilled Esther (follow the link & scroll down) working with us (albeit currently on maternity leave but we’re looking forward to having her back soon!), we also had the bright, enthusiastic and talented Ella with us for work experience last year – follow the link and see our blog about her.

I suspect we’re all responsible in some way (unconsciously) by propagating our own, marketing and media’s stereotypes, leading young women and girls to believe that any male dominated industry is not for them. Anecdotally, the number of female architects is rising year by year but until it’s a level playing field, we all need to do much, much more. This includes perhaps challenging ourselves not to default to dressing our baby girls in pink rather than a high vis vest and buying them dolls rather than a lump hammer!

As a husband, parent & business owner I’m committed to support #diversity and #equality by focusing on what people have to offer above all else.

A GUEST BLOG by Katy: When should I engage an interior designer?

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 12:11:39 GMT

We’re always thrilled to work with specialists, especially when they’re as passionate and skilled in their field as we are.

Katy Mitchell is an experienced interior designer who kindly offered to write a guest blog for us. Please have a read and learn why it might be worth hiring a professional to make sure the inside of your home will be as beautiful and well crafted as the parts, which we’ve created.

Many people ask me where an interior designer fits in the design process when they first start thinking about a project. Should they wait until they are ready to start furnishing their new home? Should they wait until they are ready to decorate? As a designer I am always excited when a client engages me at the very beginning of a project. That way I can work in conjunction with the client and architect to create the perfect home. After all, the interior is what you will be ultimately living in, what you will come home to after a hard day at work and where you family will make special memories. I may be biased but to me the interior should be given as much thought as the layout and build process and should definitely be given a big enough budget. So many times, my clients get to the end of their project and have to compromise on the interior fit our due to financial constraints.

I love working with architects such as Artichoke. They are experts at designing the building and spaces and I love to hear their ideas and see them come to life. What I want for my clients is for the space to ultimately work as a home for them and their families. As a designer I consider the ‘softer’ details. Where will the dog sleep at night, what about Grandma staying as she gets older or futureproofing the house for a growing family? For me it is essential at the very early stages you start to think about how you want your home to function and what you what from it, these are of course things that the architects will also consider but at a more spatial level, where as I love scrutinizing every last colour, texture and pattern as well! For me the home is so important to your personal happiness and contentment that getting it right, for you, can make all the difference. Having a place to be calm and relaxed, or a space to exercise or just a space to come together with family. Whatever is most important to you the home is the place to do it. After all, home is where the heart is!

Once we have had discussions about how the home will work for you it is important to consider the furniture items you will have in your space at an early stage. As a designer I can then work with the architect to position these items on the floor plan and this in turn enables smart and calculated decisions to be made about positioning of sockets, lights, radiators, bathroom fittings etc. The most frustrating thing for me is when my clients get to the end of a project and there isn’t an outlet for a lamp, or the sideboard doesn’t quite cover up the sockets. Often, I find radiators get in the way and we have to put sofas in front of them which prevents them from functioning at maximum efficiency (which is the last thing you would want in today’s climate!). Getting the layout of furniture right from the very early stages can avoid any of these mistakes. Working closely with the architect to get these items positioned carefully on working drawings can make the whole process much more seamless as everyone, including the builder and all the tradesmen, knows exactly what they are doing.

So my advice is engage the designer early, take notice of their ideas even if it does seem like a world away that the furniture will actually be delivered. Then throughout the process have this layout in mind. Clear and careful early planning will make the build process easier and may even save you money by stopping you make expensive mistakes!

Needless to say, feel free to get in touch directly or via Artichoke if you have a project in mind that you’d like to discuss!

Katy M x

https://katyminteriors.co.uk/

Inspiring the next generation

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 13:59:19 GMT

At Artichoke, we believe great Architecture is fundamental to the built environment we all inhabit and affects the way we feel and live. We want to ensure not just that we try to inspire our clients but also the next generation. We recently had the honour of mentoring our third work placement student, who was fantastic and says we’ve confirmed to her that she wants to become an Architect!

In the summer, I received a fairly typical email out of the blue from a local year 10 student asking if they could do work experience at Artichoke. I replied asking her to explain the why’s in a bit more detail.

The response she sent was so beautifully articulate, considered and particularly mentioned that the 'Bin Philiosophy’ was unique and appealed to her as being something that she could take into her future!

It was a yes with bells on and having had Ella here for a week, her approach in the office was the same as the thought that had obviously gone into her emails. We set her a sample project, where the clients were her parents and the project was her own house. We guided her though it and she thoroughly excelled at everything she was doing. I’m certain she will make an incredible architect one day and needless to say we’ve offered to keep in touch to help where we can with her journey and who knows – we might see her again one day!

“As architecture is a line of work I am interested in, I was able to spend some time at Artichoke in order to see how it works. After getting to know everyone’s stories
of becoming an architect - which gave me an insight in what education to get in order to become a qualified architect - they explained to me the stages that the job includes, which made me realise how significant the architect is in the development process. I was also able to go on site visits which enabled me to see architect’s work in progress and how the designs are conveyed to the clients, while being open to feedback in order to end with a design the client loves.

Something great about architecture is that you can be creative and use your imagination to design one of the endless possibilities for a specific brief the client has given you. Overall, this experience has been an eye-opener that’s made me confident that I want to pursue architecture.”

Ella

Architecture in terms of what we’re able to do for our clients is of course important to us as a business, at a base level, it pays the bills. It is so much more to use though and we’re lucky enough to thrive on the process and the projects but as well as this, we feel that it is important to champion the industry and what we do, which includes not just inspiring each other and our clients but the next generation of Architects.

Corten Carport

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 13:40:53 GMT

This (virtually) New Build House was one of our favourite projects!

It was hugely challenging, creative and fulfilling for us. Not to mention that our clients both enjoyed the process and were over the moon with the outcome. So much so that when they wanted a special carport that needed to have the same beauty and finesse as the house (as it would be the first thing you see as you approach) – they asked us to help.

Although it was ‘only’ a carport, it was critical that we went through the same thought process as we did with the house. Perhaps even more so, as we now had the added context of the house with its forms and materials to consider as well.

To add to the challenge, the frontage is littered with trees covered by ‘Tree Protection Orders’ (TPOs) which restricted the placement of the carport. Throughout the process we worked closely with an Arboricultural consultant, who advised us on our opportunities and limitations. This ensured that we could reach the most ideal solution possible without risking the health of the trees, as they are so fundamental to the setting and context (and of course we don’t want our clients to have a criminal record for killing a protected tree!).

The (accommodation) brief was for a two bay carport with secure store and possibly some storage in the roof. The (design) brief was for something that had architectural interest in its own right, but which complemented the existing house and didn’t detract from it in any way.

We developed some initial concepts, for which we prepared hand-sketched 3D proposals. These were to communicate to our clients what they might one day expect to see when returning to their beloved home. Given the four prominent pitched slate gables of the house, and the need to make the carport as low as possible, the need to take that lead for the majority of the mass was fairly apparent. Given the low slung eaves and the need to have access, it was necessary to have a way to increase the height locally.

The conceptual solution is actually fairly simple and you’ll have seen it on many residential properties–basically a flat roofed dormer (canopy) was cut into the pitched roof. This also gave us the opportunity to create the subtle (subservient) design feature our clients were after.

We took a long time to decide on the most appropriate material for the canopies for the car (and person) access to the carport (and store) – looking at tens of different options. We finally decided that as this was an opportunity to have something contrasting, and that we could be bold with this choice. Corten steel is basically steel that is allowed to rust, so by no means is it a modern material but its use in architecture is relatively modern. Given that rust is a natural process, this actually ends up softening the appearance of the material, whilst having a bright, almost autumnal orange finish that fitted perfectly with the surrounding trees and the timber clad elements of the house.

It's not quite finished yet, but I was so excited to see it as I drove past that I had to stop and get a photograph of it and share it. There will of course be a full update to the project on our website when it’s finished, and we can get a professional photographer to visit and do the stunning development justice!

Small is Beautiful…

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 14:52:58 GMT

This incredible exhibition I visited with my family highlighted two things for me:

It’s astonishing how much time, effort and skill can go into such small things.
Great design makes you smile!

There were a staggering array of different subjects, although of course scale and great design were the common denominators – both things that are fundamental to great architecture. Great design is a vital thread which runs through several of our blogs, as it’s so important to all of us and truly features in all aspects of our lives–whether it be through striving to create, or appreciating works created by someone else.

Some aspects of this exhibition are witty, some beautiful, some just downright incredible–given how truly tiny they are. But whatever their special quality, you can guarantee that someone has spent hours or days deliberating how to make them what they are, exploring and discarding many ideas and versions that aren’t quite as good as the last.

Everything in the exhibition was extraordinary, but there were a couple of artists and pieces that (ironically) made a big impression on me:

Frank Kunert

This artist is my–perhaps slightly obvious–first choice, as his topics are largely (again, no pun intended!) architectural. He creates small models of typical rooms, buildings and structures and with usually simple twists; creating absurd and usually humorous scenarios, which he then photographs. This stood out to me as it’s very easy as a designer to believe you’ve created something that’s great and to overlook the obvious parts of the design that don’t work or could be improved. This is what makes Kunert so brilliant: he makes a play on this by making something that so obviously doesn’t work as the main feature of the piece.

A very modern Museum Of Contemporary Art, whose main access stairs begin at first floor; a brutalist concrete Hotel (Charles would love this one!) which sits on a slim concrete post, where rooms can only be accessed by climbing external metal ladders–some even on the underside of the hotel! Of course these are jokes, but it’s very easy to design something and gloss over things that could be improved or even to try and justify them as ‘Architectural Features’! Whereas of course, any good designer will be critical and start again to ensure anything that doesn’t work is eliminated.

Vincent Bal

My second choice, just because of the charm and alternative viewpoint of his pieces, is Vincent Bal. He titles his work ‘Shadowology’ and it’s easy to see why. They say that being musical is about being able to hear. Well in the same way, being an artist or designer is about being able to see (okay, and hear what your clients have to say!) It’s about seeing things, finding solutions, trying to see the best things, trying to find the best solutions–and repeating that process until you do.

For Bal, the product is something that is beautiful, memorable, charming or funny. He will use very ordinary objects to see what kind of shadows they cast and playfully add his own drawings to make it into something completely different. Not just different, but clever and appropriate. The character Charlie Brown, formed by the shadows cast by a pile of peanuts; a menacing dentist with a drill in hand, whose head is created by a bracelet made of sweets.

Why I Loved Them

I could so easily carry on appreciating and applauding what these artists do so well, the main reason being that as a designer myself, I get it – I really get just how passionate they must be to spend endless time doing something that can look like it took minutes. However, I know that to make it so small and so simple, they spend hours, days & months perfecting what they do.

I can’t recommend this exhibition enough, especially if you have kids. As you might gather, I was blown away and inspired by it–the continuous freshness of exhibitions like this reflects the challenges we have with our projects and clients. Though these can be tough at times, they’re what keep us going and make what we do so much fun.

Other Artists

There are tens of artists at this exhibition. I’ve written about a couple that seemed most relevant to what we do, but there were also many others that were incredible. In particular, the tiniest of them all:

Lucia Dolgopolova , who creates miniature crochet
Jasenko Dodovic , who illustrates beautiful pencil art
Dr Willard Wigan MBE , a world-famous micro artist

New Meets Old

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:24:06 GMT

You may be noticing a theme – well, that’s because it’s something that really excites us as it’s such a challenge with such rewards – when you get it right!

We’ve been working on a very modestly scaled facelift to a gob-smackingly-beautiful old Coach House in a conservation area in Windsor, attached to a listed building–in the form of two existing single storey extensions.

There is nothing wrong (per-se) with the existing extensions; they match the white painted brickwork and provide additional space. However, they do not come anywhere near continuing the charm & character of the Coach house, nor do they really continue the flow or integrate with it.

As is always the case when we have a great client – one who embraces the process and is happy to allow us plenty of time to explore ideas – time after time, the results are incredible and worth every penny and minute we put into them!

Initially we were asked to start with something very bold and modern, which was a proposal (after many discarded iterations!) that the client fell in love with. But, one which they then felt might be pushing the ‘contrast’ and the cost a little too far for their comfort. We then paired the design (options) right back (many more discarded iterations!) and reached a solution which they now feel balances all of their priorities.

We’ve put together a handful of options for you to see (there isn’t space or time to show every part of the design evolution!) We have a firm favourite, and we’re sure you will too!

We are still in the relatively early stages of the whole architectural process. But, we’re very excited to see this project progress and get into the nitty-gritty of the detailed (constructional) designs, so that we can make them as well thought through and beautiful as the concept design.

We love a challenge – so are still debating the curveball the client gave us, which was to include references to the famous celebrities that once partied in the house. Details to follow…

Goodbye Sam: "My Time at Artichoke"

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 14:25:19 GMT

After accepting an offer from Manchester University to continue my studies (Master’s in Architecture), I will sadly be leaving the Artichoke team at the end of August. The end of the month marks 18 months at the practice and I’ve been amazed at how much I’ve developed and have taken on board in such a short amount of time.

My advice to any part 1 about to take their first steps into practice would be firstly to ask as many questions as possible. The experience fly’s by and you’ll want to absorb as much information as possible before you go back to university and forget everything.

Secondly, it would be to find a practice that is openminded and unprejudiced about what a part 1 can be. To my benefit Artichoke had never hired a part 1 before and out of curiosity I was put on to tasks to see exactly where my limitations led. With an unwavering support network, a lot of perseverance and the occasional google search I was amazed to see exactly what I was capable of. Constantly, I’ve been pushed to step outside my comfort zone, taking on tasks and roles that I would have never of expected to be part of at this point in my career.

I am beyond grateful to the team and everyone else who have made my time at Artichoke both enormously beneficial, but also incredibly enjoyable. The biggest complement I could give Artichoke and the team is that this experience has undeniably confirmed to me that I am in the right career, it’s kept the passion burning and I can’t wait to see what’s next. I’ll definitely be coming back down from university to see all our exciting projects progress on site and to catch up with the team.

If you are interesting in joining our team as our new Part 1, Please get in touch:

It's a moving experience…..

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 09:50:08 GMT

After delays due to covid and client workloads, we are pleased to say that our new extension to the Village Medical Centre in Slough has started on site.

This project has been designed to allow a surgery house in an outdated “life expired” building to be combined with the parent surgery in a purpose built surgery building.

The extension has been designed to respond to the very strong architectural qualities of the host surgery, and aims to compliment it without being overbearing.

One of the two extensions is situated on the location of the temporary pharmacy on the site. To enable the construction works, we had to move the Portakabin unit.

Now, I have worked on many projects in my architectural career and they say you learn something new every day. But, I think this is the first and probably the last time we will have to relocate a fully functioning pharmacy unit from one side of a site to another, whilst ensuring it will be up and running the same day.

Thanks to the crane crew and a lot of forward planning from the client, the pharmacy, and Artichoke, it went seamlessly and the site is ready to welcome the addition of the extensions.

Game, Set and Match! Definitely No Double-Faulting

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 13:47:19 GMT

It’s not often you work on a project that is so inline with events of the day, but we at artichoke are working on one at the moment. We are just finalising the designs for an amazing client in Wimbledon, just down the road from Centre court.

The site is an ace one but is both within a conservation area and listed, so we have to be at the top of our game and not allow any of the advantages of the project slip by. The brief was to provide a slice of contemporary architecture served up with the retention of the listed house’s strong architectural features–a hard baseline to achieve.

It’s been an exciting project to work on as we have been able to lob ideas at the client with nothing being too out rageous to be looked into.

The works are predominantly set at the rear of the house and include a steel mesh mezzanine deck overhead of the kitchen area with doubles up as the main social space in the house. The point at which the new extension and the house meet has been opened up over two stories so the client’s love of the original house features are retained rather than the extension smash ing into the original house. See what you think of our concept:

The client being game for a very modern design solution has let us use green roofs (alas not big enough for a game of tennis) and modern materials such as black timber cladding.

We like to think we have smashed the brief out of the park.

P.S. the hardest part of this project has been to fit 17 tennis references into this blog!

Design On The Brain! (Le Mans 24 Hours – Porsche 911 – Coca-Cola)

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 13:58:20 GMT

Firstly, please don’t read this expecting anything too deep or significant, it’s a bit of fun. What it does hopefully highlight is that for me, design isn’t just a job (cheese alert) it’s a way of life! Working with clients on projects is an immense amount of fun and hugely rewarding. Running a business is hard work, so it’s great to have a break (from business but not from design).

I’m a regular at the Le Mans 24-hour rally (the iconic motor race for Steve McQueen in a Porsche 917), so it was great fun to get away with a few good friends; another architect, an IT guru and an ex RAF pilot. The common link is of course cars, not necessarily just fast (yes, we all like looking at and driving them) but equally importantly beautifully designed iconic cars.

I’m lucky enough to have been able to save up and buy myself a Guards Red, Porsche 911 (997.1 2S manual for anyone that’s vaguely interested!), which is of course one of the most iconic and long lasting car designs that there is (58 years), where you can still very clearly see the curves and shapes of the first one that was produced in 1963. The design has been honed, refined and improved year after year, so it’s no surprise that an architect might drive one given that that is exactly what we do for a living (the designing and honing, not the driving)! The other car in the group was a Guards Red Porsche Boxster (987 S manual for anyone that’s interested and still reading!) which has very similar lines. How it looks is important but how it functions is critical . This has been the core of the 911 and its refinements and it is at the core of good architecture. More on that topic here .

It’s a tradition to decorate your car with stickers for Le Mans; most people will get some ready made from eBay, and it’s great to see so many making the effort to do this. For the drivers of our two cars - being architects (and design fanatics) - that wasn’t quite good enough, so we turned it into a project! It doesn’t of course take a giant leap to figure out what branding/graphics might look good on a bright red car, so I can’t claim that we were exceptional in any way coming up with the idea of Coca-Cola. Like the Porsche 911 the logo is an iconic design, which has withstood the test of time and which hasn’t changed much for 130 years other than an almost geological level of evolution.

In the same way that we would with an architectural project, we roughly laid out on a drawing, what the livery concept might look like on the car(s) [Livery Design]. We then got the help of an amazing young electrical engineer and entrepreneur who runs a local company called Bandgap who’s core work is Electro Luminescent paint (it’s an incredible thing if you have never seen it, click here ) – that good that you might see a giant glowing artichoke driving around at some point in the future! He also of course prints on & cuts sticky vinyl decals – which was very handy. We spent a lot more time than we anticipated working on the layouts, adding more logos (including his by way of thanks for his efforts) and trying to apply them all without there being too many bubbles. It was well worth it though, it all looks amazing – how could it not though – iconic logo(s) on iconic car(s)!

Le Mans was great too by the way, it’s basically a giant camping-car-show-barbeque-race and hanging out with good friends talking nonsense event. It’s the Centenary next year and Porsche and a handful of others are planning to return to the main race (Hypercar – if you’re interested!) and we'll definitely be going again, probably along with an ever growing crowd.

We’ll hopefully be meeting up with some of our clients & contacts who I didn’t manage to see there this year (in their 911s), who obviously have great taste both in car design and in architects ;o)

Quantity or Quality?

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 08:00:01 GMT

Probably the most extreme example of a house where there were no little fixes, the client had engaged with another architect previously, but it hadn’t resulted in any designs which they felt worked, as they were ‘little fixes’ which fell short of the brief.

When I first saw the house I could see why they were having so much trouble coming up with ideas – and it is a very common problem, which we understand why our clients struggle in these situation.

The problem is often that when you’re spending a lot of your extremely hard earned money on your property, you want to get something physical for it. If your house doesn't work for you, you want more space, more area to fix the issue, but that isn't always the right answer.

If your current house doesn’t flow, doesn’t get the light in the rooms that you want, the layout doesn’t work and perhaps it feels like it’s all corridors or rooms off rooms, then no amount of extending is going to fix those problems. You’ll often just exacerbate the problems and end up not fixing the things that bothered you, but simply making the problem areas bigger.

The difficulty is that what you really need to do is spend money improving the quality of the space(s), not necessarily the quantity of space(s). Therein lies the problem for most people – what tangible thing do they actually have to show for their money?! But, either the things that bothered them in the first place will still bother them, or they will just move to the new spaces and ignore the dark or badly designed spaces that used to bother them, which will sit there unused. To me this sounds like a terrible waste and a false economy.

The other difficulty is that often, if the existing situation doesn’t work, it means much more design time and much more destruction of existing structures and building, so it really is a giant leap, especially as ‘quality’ (rather than quantity) can also be so subjective and requires you to place a large amount of trust in whomever is doing the design work for you.

We’ve had a handful of clients who completely understood this and trusted us to help them sort out the problems they faced. Although our approach is always to start with as light a touch as possible, sometimes you have to be more brutal with the design – always bearing in mind that the stroke of a pen can result in increasing costs.

The property in the picture didn’t work at all and I told the client that we’d need a lot of design time to try and come up with good solutions. Because the previous designer had done so little, they had also not charged very much, so initially I had to explain that we could reduce our fees but if we only had a small amount of design time, we probably wouldn’t be able to do much more than the last practice. The client understood this and appointed us to do the work. They were very engaged in the process and great fun to work with. The design took months to evolve and we meticulously discussed, adjusted, tested etc until they were confident that it was exactly what they wanted.

It's great to see this project on site after such a long time and even amongst the bricks, rubble, massive holes in the floor etc you can see what a profound difference the work will have on the ‘Quality’ of the spaces. Okay, in this instance there is a fair bit of extra ‘Quantity’ too, but as I mentioned earlier, this house will work as a whole because of the ‘Quality’.

Mentoring at Artichoke

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 08:13:42 GMT

Artichoke as a team is made up of a diverse range of characters, all of whom have different experiences, qualifications and educational paths that got us to where we are now.

Through all of our careers we have been given time by some amazing mentors who have helped to improve our skills, instil good habits and learn more about what it takes to be a good designer of buildings, as well as being a good, boss, employee and workmate.

Artichoke prides itself in trying to give back to the architectural education system as much as we can, from the first buds of an interest in architecture at school to providing a place for graduate students to undertake their work placements. We do this by giving talks at school careers evenings explaining what its like to be an architect and how you become one. We host secondary school work experience students in the office either directly or via established school systems including ones from local international schools, partaking in the RIBA’s Student mentoring system where we spend 5 days over a year with a final year degree student. We also have post graduate year out students in the office.

The year our students have been so successful for us, including Sam (our current Part I student), that we now are looking to take on both a Part I and a Part II student from August this year.

Now this enthusiasm for having students work with us is not just about what we can offer them but also what they bring to the office. We believe we learn a lot about what we do by explaining to others and their young enquiring minds tests us on a daily basis both technically and creatively – both about what we do and what we don’t.

Most importantly they are a breath of fresh air and bring a passion for modern design into the office whilst suggesting some very random music for the office playlist!

New Office - Teaser

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 15:01:03 GMT

The build is flying, and on the home straight!

I recently re-posted an article about the charm of Tin Tabernacles , the honesty and simplicity of the materials and how with good design you don’t [necessarily] have to spend the earth on expensive materials.

Like most people, the new office build is being done on a tight budget so I wanted to use simple honest materials.

The majority of the exterior is clad in agricultural black corrugated metal; around the entrance doors and wrapping up, and underneath an overhanging canopy I chose rough sawn larch. Materials don’t get much cheaper or more basic than this. Of course, I am a design fanatic and have the entire Artichoke design team to consider, challenge and rework everything we’re doing, which regardless of the cheapness of the materials has enabled us to give them finesse and beauty. The critical part of that, which is also the case with the most expensive materials, is that without every junction and detail being considered and given enough design time, they might look okay but they’ll never look amazing.

Consider, design, challenge – repeat.

The more often you repeat – the better the design gets. There are of course diminishing returns as with everything, but it is almost exclusively true that if you only do one version it will fall significantly short of the second or third.

The other consideration is where it is worth spending that little bit extra on materials, in areas they make a big difference. Often this is doors, door handles etc – the things that you ‘feel’. In the case of the office, I chose full 2.4m x 1.2m oak veneered ply, with 8mm black shadow gaps on the ceiling and the rear wall. It looks stunning. Again though, it is only on the ceiling and rear wall, which means you experience the quality and design as you enter but the plastered side walls are still more cost effective but without design compromise – they offer a contrast, which makes the oak finish sing even more.

I really can’t wait until it’s finished, when I can not only use it but share the full experience and photos of all of the detailed design features that resulted from the immense amount of thought that went into it.

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the materials & junctions, inside & out.

Our First Part 1 - Architectural Assistant

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 16:07:58 GMT

Congratulations to Sam on his Graduation, with a First Class Degree in Architecture

As with anything, when you’re first starting out, you generally don’t know much and don’t have much experience. Relatively speaking, even after your degree, you have a lot more design experience but no office or practical experience. At this point you’re a “Part 1 - Architectural Assistant.” You may find it difficult to get a job in a smaller practice, as with no career track record, it can be a risk that can have a big positive or negative impact.

Until 17th March 2021, Artichoke had not taken that plunge – and then we did.

Sam approached us after having spent months trying to find a practice that would give him a chance. We hadn’t actually been considering it but his approach was so positive and enthusiastic that after a chat, we agreed to a trial period.

The rest (as they say) is history. We’re very grateful that we took the plunge, Sam has been nothing short of spectacular, bringing freshness, energy, curiosity to the practice and hopefully getting as much as he gives. Especially at this stage, the practice has a lot of responsibility to ensure they play a part in a Part 1’s continuing architectural education & experience.

We’re so proud to congratulate Sam on his Graduation from Oxford Brookes School of Architecture, with a First Class Degree in Architecture – WELL DONE SAM!

Sadly, Sam will be leaving us in August to continue with the next part of his education and will be off to Manchester University for his Masters Degree.

Having taken the plunge, we’re already looking for Sam 2.0!

If you’re interested, you can find out more here

Manor Farm: A Grade II Listed Farmstead

Tue, 31 May 2022 15:52:14 GMT

It can feel like Christmas has come early when you get the opportunity to work not just on a listed building but to help bring back to life an entire grade II listed farmstead, comprising a farmhouse, two barns and a grain store on stone mushrooms.

We’re working closely with our team of heritage & planning specialists, to ensure that what we start conceptualising is not only entirely sympathetic to the heritage buildings, but balances this with the special consideration needed for the conservation & greenbelt setting, as well as ensuring it is viable for our client.

We’ve had an incredibly positive pre-application meeting with the officers of Spelthorne Borough Council and will be developing a proposal for further discussion with them, so that when we do submit the planning application, we’ll already have an understanding of what will be acceptable balance of all the key elements.

When New Meets Really Old - Contemporary Room for 17th Century Farmhouse

Wed, 18 May 2022 07:42:31 GMT

This is one of our favourite kind of projects, where really new meets really old. One thing is for sure on all projects like this, finesse and attention to detail are absolutely critical.

Here we were approached by a fantastic client with a 17th & 18th Century Grade II Listed Farmhouse in the Laleham Conservation area. They wanted to create more space so we designed a very sleek, simple, contemporary room to the rear, as well as a comprehensive refurbishment of the property. It was originally home to the Bingham Family – Earls of Lucan, built for the Bailiff of the estate, so has an incredible amount of history and we’ve been privileged to continue the architectural story.

What particularly attracts us to this kind of project, is not only the ability to really add to history by continuing the story ( not copying it ) but the way that the very clean lines of engineered materials contrast so beautifully against the aged and wonky original, which oozes character.

Watch this video to get a true feel for the finished space:

Quirky Architectural Design from Historical Oddities

Wed, 11 May 2022 07:48:49 GMT

The oddities of history create an amazing patch-work of character and interest. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes interesting, sometimes not.

So much of planning policy & design guidance tends to a uniform right & wrong approach. What visual diversity & character will our cities, towns & villages have if everything always has to fit such a narrow version of what is ‘right’ – shouldn’t there be space in the world for quirky and different – it all tells a story.

Check out this article on the 'visual beauty' of bricked-up windows:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-57349499

Images replicated from BBC article with individual credits and references available there via: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-57349499

We're Hiring! Part 1 Architectural Assistant (Aug Start)

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Fri, 06 May 2022 08:00:03 GMT

We're looking for someone with a passion for design, a willingness to have a go, a critical eye for checking work and a friendly disposition...

What a year it has been? It has for many reasons been an interesting time, but for Artichoke it has included employing our first Architectural Assistant in the form of Sam our current Part I student. The experience for us has been amazing and has reminded us of how having a questioning young mind in the office makes us better at our jobs and brings alternative views and opinions. Therefore, with Sam’s return to full-time education in the summer as he starts his Master’s in Architecture at the Manchester School of Architecture, we have decided to again take on a Part I student for 22/23 but to also take on a Part II student to join our busy happy team in Windsor.

Therefore if you are either a Part I or Part II student or know someone who is, who is looking to work at a design lead, residential focused practice in Windsor, has great IT skills (Autocad, Rhino, Adobe etc), keen to get involved in everything we do (from architecture to social media contributions), has an appropriate technical experience and ability and are willing to take on the role of office “musical director” (we are trying to avoid our default position of too much 80s and 90s music!) then please drop us a line for a chat.

Download our full job details and apply within our careers section:

Watch Our NEW 3D Flythrough For This Incredible Project

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 14:42:04 GMT

We always get very excited when working on this project...

Trying to prepare a 3D flythrough takes an incredible amount of thought and detailed consideration, not only of the shapes and materials of the building and the internal spaces but with the client’s character in mind. We have to consider what soft furnishings (including art) to include and even what movie they might be watching, which all help conjure a truer sense of what it might be like for them to one day be walking through their dream home for real.

Whilst the below video is already very detailed, it's important to note that much of it is still at a conceptual level to help make some key decisions. For projects like this which require large budgets and incredibly detailed project plans with associated budgets, a 3D flythrough is a massive help both for the client to start visualising the project but more critically to enable us to see what every last junction, space and detail looks like. From there we can hone it and hone it a bit more until it is all as good as it can possibly be!

See what you think of this sped-up version of their walk through to give you a flavour for what we can do:

When our clients and their family walk around their new home for the first time, we want to have designed and considered it all, so that everywhere they look, it is perfect for them. If you have your own grand plans, get in touch to see what our talented team of architects can do to bring your new dream home to life.

We're Hiring! Part-time Accounts/Admin Assistant

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:47:53 GMT

We're looking for someone who is a confident communicator and self-disciplined to join us...

Artichoke is a very busy small design focused practice with an excellent local reputation and our aim is to weave as much joy and architecture into the process and design as possible, so that it’s an enjoyable place to work. We’re a friendly, diverse, enthusiastic and hardworking team but appreciate that there’s life and family outside of work too, which we embrace and value, and work around whenever we can.

We’re ambitious to continue to grow and to keep generating opportunities to win the new work that makes architecture fun and challenging and our jobs enjoyable and rewarding.

You will need to be a confident communicator and be self disciplined to help the senior team and make sure all your tasks are pushed through. You will be filling a key role in the studio helping the architects with projects and administration. Critically you will have experience setting up organisational systems and ensuring they are updated, maintained and followed.

Download our full job details and apply within our careers section:

New Windsor Garden Office Update

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:00:35 GMT

First glimpse of a new garden office - This time it's personal!

Over the years we’ve prepared hundreds of Planning Applications and Permitted Development Applications for clients across the UK. As you would expect, it's relatively bread and butter to us (as it should be) but it's certainly helpful to be conscious of all the stresses and emotions our clients go through when we’re working with them. Well, we recently got exactly that level of insight as we submitted an application for the boss here at Artichoke! Yes, practicing what he preaches, our MD Chris Dale has signed off on a new development at his home. With a family who are fast growing up and who’s teenage kids now want more space to hang out with their mates – this requires more space to put the drum kit to jam along with the band – and more space to put his training equipment so that he’s ready for his next epic bike ride. Equally, we have to factor in Mrs Dale (the actual boss!) who needs somewhere to enjoy a G&T with her friends. See what you think:

The slab went down before Christmas and the SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) were delivered from Poland in January, it has all been assembled, the roof is on, electric first fix is in, now waiting for the sleek black aluminium doors & windows before finishing off inside!

It is of course possible to buy these buildings off the shelf, but if you want something completely bespoke, with your selection of materials, refined architectural detailing and perfectly tailored in every way to your needs, you might want to get Artichoke to do it for you ( contact us ).

Something of this size (which is 51m2) will also need planning justification and building regulations approval. Thankfully as already stated, this is relatively straight forward for our experienced team and we'd be happy to discuss any plans of this nature with you.

If you need a little (or a lot of) extra space and would like to see if you could build something like this in your garden and we’ll be happy to see how we might be able to help. Get in touch to discuss your options and the key considerations.

Esther Joins the Artichoke Architectural Team!

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 11:11:31 GMT

Welcome Esther - Our Newest Artichoke Architect!

We’re exceptionally pleased to welcome another passionate architect to the Artichoke team.

Esther is an experienced architect, who previously worked a multi-disciplinary practice in Reading before joining us. She has hit the ground running and is already involved in several projects, including an extension to a grade 2 listed property overlooking the Long Walk in central Windsor. She joined us all for an outing before starting, where we enjoyed an escape room and a Turkish meal in Windsor.

Having passed her probation period with flying colours, Esther is now a permanent member at Artichoke and we are extremely happy to have her as part of the team!

MEET ESTHER

Having always been a stickler for detail, I find producing clever design that is both aesthetically pleasing but also technically innovative, the most rewarding part of the job. Since qualifying as an Architect in 2019 from the University of Westminster, I have spent much of my time working in the residential sector for a variety of clients. It is important to me to bring enthusiasm, organisation, and creativity to each project to help our clients reach a considered design.

Outside of the office, I spend most of my time with my young family enjoying the outdoors – whether that be out for walks or following my husband to obscure climbing spots.

Interested in joining us? Visit our careers section .

Discover The Changes To Permitted Development Rights - Build Up-to Two Extra Storeys

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 06:16:20 GMT

Release untapped potential in your property without the need for planning permission.

As of 31st August 2020, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2020 enabled some homeowners to extend their houses upwards – without planning permission . We've collated a summary here to cover everything you need to know as it stands (at the time of writing) for 2022.

The key one for us is that, provided you meet certain conditions, many homeowners will be allowed to build up to two storeys onto their existing property without submitting a full planning application. This is really significant as it opens up a huge amount of potential, avoiding additional expense and time delays. Here's what you need to know:

Overview of Changes

These changes to the PD rights provide an opportunity for homeowners and developer to add floor space that they may never have been able to previously:

BUNGALOWS
Could now be extended upwards by one storey.
DETACHED HOUSE (TWO OR MORE STOREYS TALL)
If you live in a detached house that is two or more storeys tall, then you could add a further two stories.
SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE
You can build up to 3.5 metres higher than the house you share a party wall with.
TERRACED HOUSE
A similar rule applies if you live in a terrace – you could build up to 3.5 metres higher than the rest of the terrace.

Can All Homeowners Have Upwards Extensions?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. As with a lot of recent Permitted Development (PD) Rights changes, you have to meet certain conditions. You can however take advantage of the revised PD rights if;

Your house was built between late 1948 and late 2018 (before 28 October 2018).
There is an Article 4 direction in place in your area.
You live in a conservation area or in a listed building.
The house has already been extended upwards.

One thing that is required, is that you will need Prior Approval from your local council to make sure that your new extension complies with the law, and it’s wise to get a Lawful Development Certificate , so that you can prove it is lawful, to avoid future problems.

Here at Artichoke we have a vast experience of submitting applications for Lawful Development Certificates and we can talk you through the process and what you might be able to do.

One thing we have found with this sort of application is that councils are not keen on the changes to the PD rights and applications are often being refused for non-compliance. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you use someone who has experience of these types of applications and understands the opportunities they present.

Changes to Permitted Development Rights in Action

Last year we were approached by a lovely couple, who were looking to buy and extend a 1970s low pitched bungalow situated within the designated Green Belt and also an Area of Attractive Landscape. Following the initial meeting on site, the couple employed us to undertake a “Residential Kickstarter Package” ( contact us for more information) of the house prior to purchase (we also provide a Conservation Kickstarter Package), to see if it could be made to meet their requirements on the available budget.

They were looking to make the house a modern living space with a master suite, a large airy family kitchen space and additional bedrooms possibly over two stories.

Here are our 3D views of the existing house (click to expand):

What the Kickstarter identified was that on a previously refused planning application, the case officer identified that the overall percentage increase of all the previous additions combined amounted to an increase of 99.85%. which massively breached the standard 50% limit used to assess the maximum extension allowance within the Green Belt.

This meant that no further additional floor area - especially at attic level - would be acceptable via a planning application. However, we did identify that the client's brief could be met by using the house’s ground floor Permitted Development rights (at the time) extending at the rear and sides.

Concept design of the approved additional floor volume (click to expand):

Following our work, the clients purchased the bungalow and we began the scheme design. During this time the changes to the PD rights set out above came into force and we looked at using this to add a storey over the “original” bungalow rather than extending sideways. This has the advantage of not reducing what is a lovely west facing garden, reducing the build cost as extending over existing floor area is traditionally more economic than building new floor area at ground floor and avoids the pitfall of many bungalow extensions where the floor plans get so large you end up with many “Internal” spaces that are poorly lit and there is a disproportionately large amount of circulation space.

Following the scheme design we submitted on behalf of the clients, an application for an additional storey under the revised PD rights which was approved without any issues from the planners. The clients now have approval for an additional 120m2 of floor space at first floor, whilst still retaining the houses Permitted development rights to extend at ground floor as well, which if they pursue these, could add an further 175m2!

With the additional floor space “in the bag” we are preparing an householder application using it as a “fall back” case for the approval of a more contemporary design for the additional floor with additional windows in the side elevations as shown (which were not allowed under PD).

How Can I Add Over 200% Floor Space To My Property?

What the above project has shown is that these changes to the Permitted development rights of your house could allow you to add over 200% of your original bungalow’s floor area over 2 stories without submitting a planning application (as mentioned, you do require a number of certificate of lawfulness applications).

On a house where you can potentially add an additional 2 stories to a detached house this amount of increase is also achievable.

How Can I Take Advantage

If you are interested in exploring what you could do to your property or one that you are thinking of buying, please contact us and we can talk to you about a Kickstarter Package to assess the potential that your house has considering both planning policy and Permitted Development legislation.

Tel (Windsor Studio): 01753 830 422

Tel (Reading Micro Studio): 0118 907 5874

Email us: office@artichoke-design.co.uk

Recent Commission: 286 Dedworth Road, Windsor

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 12:28:00 GMT

Project update:

Site works begin on 2 new dwellings on Dedworth Road, Windsor

Artichoke were pleased to work on a prominent local project of a dilapidated site which was a disused old builders yard. We're delighted to say this is now on it’s way to being completely revitalised with a pair of charming small homes to match the character and detail if the existing dwellings.

A great deal of care and attention was taken whilst working with a local planning consultant, in consultation with the Local Authority. This has ensured the prominent site remains sympathetic whilst maximising the opportunity for our client, who are also an excellent and established local builder.

See our presentation board:

If you have any Architectural requirements , please get in touch to discuss them and find out more about how we can help.

Another Incredible Journey Begins…

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 13:09:25 GMT

New Riverside Architectural Design Project in Wraysbury

After working hard to show a prospective client how we can help bring to life the project they’ve been dreaming about for years, we finally received the call to say that they have selected us to go on the journey with them to build their new home!

In this case, we're talking about designing a stunning, modern, detached house (with a swimming pool too), on the banks of the River Thames. Imagine soaking up views of the river and the tree-lined banks beyond, sitting and watching the sunset and no doubt sipping an ice-cold G&T - but let’s not get carried away just yet!

This is an incredibly exciting blank canvas onto which we can allow our creativity to explode and, of course, an incredible amount of hard work and diligence to make sure it’s right in every way for our client.

We are looking forward to sharing the project with you as it progresses! Keep an eye on our social channels for regular updates.

Below is a glimpse of the space, how would you use it if you had the opportunity to build your dream home here?

We're Going Bold With This Loft Conversion

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 16:27:34 GMT

For when it's time to go up in the world...

This is what can happen when we’re approached by bold clients who share a passion for special and unique architecture – what a joy it is to be able to let the creative juices bubble over and critically create something that the client finds equally exciting.

Because this project is in a conservation area, it is critical to allow plenty of time to finesse every material and every junction to ensure they all marry perfectly and harmonise with the heritage setting.

This project is still in it’s early stages but we’re excited to be in involved and will be sharing further updates as they emerge!

If you'd like to discuss your own plans, get in-touch to speak to our friendly team at either our Windsor or Reading studios:

Merry Christmas from Artichoke

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 23:29:03 GMT

After a very busy year the Artichoke team are looking forward to a nice break over the Christmas period and the studios are shut from Mon 21st Dec and re-open on Tue 5th Jan 2021. If you have any plans you would like to discuss, please email us and we can arrange to go through them in the new year.

In the meantime we hope you have a great break and here's to 2021 being a great year, especially if you do have a particular project in-mind.

Chris & all the team

As 2021 draws to a close, we reflect on another incredible year. It started with a bit of a bump (to say the least) with more lockdown restrictions imposed to help fight the pandemic and we are certainly grateful for all the keyworkers who have played such a vital part.

As we look ahead to 2022, it's certainly with great optimism as we think about all the incredible homes we are yet to design and places we are set to transform. Our office will be shut from Christmas Eve through to Tuesday 4th Jan 2022 so we hope you have a great Christmas break and happy new year.

Keep an eye on our social media (links in footer) for more exciting updates throughout next year and if you have any plans in mind, don't hesitate to get in-touch.

With all of our warmest wishes,

The Artichoke team

We're Hiring! Project Architect (Part 3 + 1-2 years) Wanted

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 15:31:12 GMT

We love working on beautiful projects and we need a Project Architect or Technologist who would share our passion to join our friendly and enthusiastic team to help us to deliver these and to help the practice to grow.

Have you got design flair and attention to detail?

Have you got design flair and attention to detail?
Do you walk around looking for amazing buildings and details?!
Yes? Why not get in touch for a chat?

Click here to find out more.

Why Not to Choose the Cheapest Subcontractor

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 12:51:22 GMT

They lure you in with a cheaper quote, but here's why the price could end up being the same - or even more expensive - if you choose a cheaper subcontractor (not to mention the additional headaches).

A tale as old as time itself: You have a project on site and have provisional sums in for various items, such as glazing. The contractor gets a perfectly good figure from a subcontractor they have used 100 times before and knows they are reliable and will do a good job - but they are not the cheapest.

"That’s too much", says the client, "He just isn’t trying. I can get it much cheaper than that."

At that point, the builder and Architect groan; they are only too aware of the world of pain that’s coming next.

Things are normally cheaper for a reason

Apart from the obvious, which is the possibility of a reduced quality of product, there are lots of troublesome things that make a quote cheaper and are repeated time and time again on projects:

They want to use the builders scaffolding for free . Er no. A builder won't let an unknown subcontractor use their scaffolding for insurance reasons. They need to either supply their own or the client has to take that under their own remit (not advised), which equals extra cost.
The delivery and installation are separate : The builder is expected to supply to labour to unload and store the materials again for a subcontractor they don’t know (an extra). Or, the truck turns up for the client to receive it and no one is on site as they weren’t told. The client suddenly realises that he has to unload a rooflight singlehandedly as it isn’t the drivers job. Yes, this has happened. Builders do a lot of coordination and its not a headache I would recommend the client takes on.
The goods are being shipped from Outer Mongolia as they are cheaper to produce there . Well, watch that install date move 50 times over. Bye-bye project programme.
The install teams are not directly employed by the company, which reduces their overheads. Again, watch those install dates move repeatedly as they can’t get an installer in busy times.
They don’t include lots of things: The builder automatically checks that certain things like opening prep, survey, window boards etc. are included - a client doesn’t. Watch that figure climb.
They want to use the builders skip for free - nope. They will then need to provide their own skip which is either an extra or you may struggle on site with space.
They want to use the site facilities for free.
Impact on project programme: An unreliable subcontractor that you got on the cheap holds up project programmes. The builder can fold their arms and basically say that the delay isn’t their fault and the clients subcontractor is holding them up.
Damage on site: If a builder takes responsibility for a subcontractor they take responsibility for any accidental damage too - and it does sometimes happen. Otherwise, if plasterwork or fascias, for example, are damaged by a subcontractor on an install they just point at each other and say the other did it, which is unhelpful for writing defects lists!
They have no follow up services: Sometimes things go wrong for a whole array of reasons. You need a subcontractor that will come back and put things right if something goes wrong, not that will disappear over the horizon.

More often than not, if a client takes the cheaper option the overall cost is either the same or more. Builders and architects choose subcontractors for a reason and its never just to annoy a client or because they are not trying very hard.

Introducing Our New Architectural Assistant, Sam Watts!

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:39:45 GMT

Welcome to the team Sam Watts, our enthusiastic and passionate new Architectural Assistant.

The A-Team’s growing!

We’re really pleased to have found and employed a young chap who’s as enthusiastic and passionate about architecture and design as we all are here. Actually, it was after his thorough research of local practices that he decided he liked the way we work and the projects on which we work, and so he approached us. His CV and portfolio were super but reading his bio shone as being a perfect fit for team Artichoke:

"As a person I pride myself on trying to be as approachable as possible, with the attitude that a smile can go a long way. I have an optimistic and balanced outlook on life which is reflected in my attitude towards architecture. Crucially though, I have an infectious can-do attitude and a real passion for a rchitecture that I would love to share with you.”

He is a recent graduate from Oxford Brookes University and is fascinated by sensitive material palettes and innovative detailing. He also enjoys exploring how previously overlooked and shunned parts of our homes can be transformed into completely re-imagined spaces, whilst still retaining their odd and intriguing forms.

We’re looking forward to having him here and we hope he enjoys his time with us.

Caring for Yourself, Your Family, Your Team, Your Business & Your Clients

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:59:10 GMT

Here are a few tips on how to juggle the pressures of work, family, friends, lockdown & whatever else may come your way in the current climate, based on my personal experience as a business owner, husband, and father.

Although we care about our clients and their projects at a professional level, we’re not really tasked with their welfare - other than, of course, the care we show to every other human being. They do, however, form part of the equation, as sometimes taking the time to care for yourself, your family, your team and your business will have an impact on them.

With the difficulties and ‘new normal’ we’re facing, this has become acutely apparent. It’s not new news, but achieving ‘balance’ is, for me, one of the most difficult things I try and do.

Currently, my focus has been on trying to make sure the business & team are set up for remote working. In some instances this is all new, and in others the social distance has highlighted where there were deficiencies in the business process, which when we were in the same office we were able to muddle through. I’m not talking about the architecture by the way – that has always been and will always be amazing! ��

We all face numerous pressures to perform in some way or another. For me, it’s as a business owner, as a boss, as a husband, as a father, as a friend and personally – and perhaps the order of those is already highlighting a flaw in my prioritising abilities. When you’re in a plane at 10,000ft and the masks drop, you would put yours on first - because if you’re not okay, how can you fix or deal with anything else properly? (Of course, that’s a very black and white scenario; in reality, I think many people put themselves at the back of the queue). In my attempts to try and make our business processes technically proficient, I was focusing on the obvious things that were in front of my face - remote file access, web cameras, weekly project progress meetings etc. - instead of a more holistic approach.

I’m not the most emotionally aware, or at least wasn’t when I was so focused on making the business work. I’ve had some exceptionally useful Personal/Business Coaching sessions with Sarah Wicks, which have been immensely helpful at highlighting areas that needed attention and how to focus on them. I told her about the weekly progress meetings I had been having with my wonderful team, and that in some instances they felt a little tense and not as positive as they should. After I ran through my concerns in a bit more detail, she pointed out that perhaps I hadn’t been utilising my greatest assets - “Positivity & enthusiasm” (her words) - and had only been focusing on the projects & processes that needed attention, rather than on what we were trying to achieve and the common goal(s).

The point I’m trying to make is that, with so many things demanding your attention and care, it’s really easy to lose sight of what the priorities are.

In my mind, I’ve always chosen a path that would bring me joy – which is why I run a practice of architects. I believe you should treat other people as you want to be treated, so I aim to make sure that everyone that works with me gets joy and a sense of achievement from working at Artichoke. The final link in the chain is the client, to whom of course we show the same care and thought. But actually, other than time pressures, that’s the easiest part; because it’s the project work for our lovely clients that makes us tick.

Christmas & New Year Opening Information

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:00:02 GMT

In the meantime we hope you have a great break and here's to 2021 being a great year, especially if you do have a particular project in-mind.

Chris & all the team

After an unusual - but nevertheless busy and exciting - year, we’re all very much looking forward to a Christmas break with our families.

Artichoke’s Studios will be shut from Monday 21 ^st December and will re-open on Tuesday 5 ^th January 2021.

If you have a project in mind, please do email us and we look forward to chatting through them with you in the new year.

In the meantime, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas & New Year. We are very excited to see our existing projects progress in 2021, and look forward to the new clients & projects it will bring.

With all of our warmest wishes,

The Artichoke team

Merry Christmas from Artichoke

office@artichoke-design.co.uk (Chris Dale) — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:25:16 GMT

Merry Christmas from all the team! This year, instead of sending cards, we're supporting a great cause...

As architects we love working with clients to make amazing and fun changes to their houses. It’s our passion and we always want to improve and extend our clients existing living and working environments.

A recent survey found:

Nearly three quarters of homeowners (73%) who have a dream home improvement project said their main motivation was to make the most out of their home as a place to live.
One in ten homeowners (12%) seeking to improve their property want to make it more environmentally friendly or energy efficient, while just 8% were hoping to improve its value.
Kitchen extensions are the most popular home improvement (13%), closely followed by conservatories (12%) and attic conversions (10%).

These statistics show what an exciting and busy time it is for home owners and the Artichoke team, b ut there is other set of statistics that we cannot ignore either. Earlier this year our local paper “The Royal Borough Observer” revealed that homeless in the the borough had increased by a massive 264 percent with 40 people sleeping rough in Autumn 2019. The Children’s commissioner for England published research showing that 124,000 children are living in temporary accommodation along with 92,000 living in “sofa Surfing” families. Shelter too published a report last year about Generation Homeless-ness .

These are only a few statistics on an issue that as architects we at Artichoke hold dear to our heart. We believe that everyone should have a safe permanent home they can sleep, play, study and thrive in whatever age you are.

Therefore, this year Artichoke has decided to donate our “ Christmas Card Fund ” (the amount we would have usually sent getting nice funky Artichoke Christmas Cards printed and posted) to a local homeless charity; The Windsor Homeless Project .

We hope that this will help those in need and equally that showing support might enable someone to move on and be in the position to make amazing and fun changes to their own home one day.

Have a great Festive season and stay safe.

As architects, we love working with our clients to make amazing and exciting changes to their houses. It’s our passion and we always want to improve our clients' existing living and working environments.

A recent survey* of homeowners discovered:

73% who have a dream home improvement project said their main motivation was to make the most out of their home as a place to live.
12% seeking to improve their property want to make it more environmentally friendly or energy efficient.
8% were hoping to improve its value.

And the most popular home improvements are:

13% - Kitchen extensions
12% - Conservatories
10% - Loft conversions

These statistics show what an exciting time it is for homeowners and Artichoke.

But – there is sadly another set of statistics that we cannot and do not want to ignore:

264% - The massive increase in homeless in the borough, revealed earlier this year by our local paper, The Royal Borough Observer, with 40 people sleeping rough in Autumn 2019.
124,000 children are living in temporary accommodation.
92,000 people are 'sofa surfing' with different families.

*Published research by The Children’s Commissioner for England.

These are only a few of the tragic statistics on an issue that, as architects, we at Artichoke hold dear to our heart. We believe that everyone should have a safe permanent home in which they can sleep, play, study and thrive, whatever age they are.

Therefore, this year Artichoke has decided to make a donation to The Windsor Homeless Project, in place of what we would have spent getting Artichoke Christmas Cards printed and posted. Please accept these Christmas wishes from our team to you and your family.

If it’s important to you too, you can donate here: www.windsorhomelessproject.org/donate

We hope that this will help some people to find proper homes soon and, who knows, they might be in the lucky position one day to make amazing and exciting changes to their own homes.

Have a great festive season - stay safe, be kind and give a little if you can.

Planning Failure?

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 08:23:00 GMT

People often think that when they submit a planning application and it is rejected that the process has somehow failed and that they have nothing to show for their time and their money.

Unfortunately, the planning system is becoming tougher (perhaps because there are more buildings and less space) so unless it is a very straight forward project, there just isn't a quick-fix option.

Learn from failure

The truth is that the approach to planning, is like training for high jump, you don’t start off with the bar high and keep knocking it off and work your way down, you start low and work your way up when you can clear the bar, you raise a little at a time. You are not failing or wasting your time until you get to your highest - you are training to get there.

The planning system is a lot like that - you can learn a lot from your "tactical failures."

Bear in mind that if there are insurmountable issues, which should become obvious after the first application/appeal, there is no point in banging your head against a brick wall and wasting further time or money on the process. An architect or planning professional should be able to advise if this is the case.

Strategic planning

A planning refusal can still have significant value as it can tell you a lot and establish some lines in the sand. It will specify what aspects of the proposals the Local Authority (LA) considered didn't comply with their policy, meaning you can consider these and amend the designs accordingly (if they didn't let you do it during the application). The other massive benefit of having a set of reasons for refusal is that if you submit a similar application the LA cannot impose new reasons for refusal for a very similar scheme, so effectively you have established parts of the design that are acceptable (and will be for the next application).

For most applications we would not expect to have to make more than two applications but if you’re trying to push the planning policy boundaries, it might be that your first application tests the water and subsequent applications try to pick off the more difficult items to get through.

Just like trying to win any argument, you must dissect and overcome each point, one at a time – the same approach works with difficult planning applications.

Give yourself time

As we’ve written in blogs & articles the best thing you can do to give yourself the biggest advantage is to start well ahead of when you think you need to. If you are pressed for time, you’re much more likely to compromise on what you want. The LAs know this by the way, which is why so few people appeal against their decision as it takes such a long time.

The new norm....

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:06:00 GMT

Today we prepared the house for ‘the new norm’ for the next few months and it made me appreciate how many different buildings I use during a normal week, or even during a day.

My house has now become… an office for two people, a school, a nursery, a library, a home gym … and somewhere in amongst all of that –a home! I normally use pubs, restaurants, gymnasiums, museums, science centres, libraries, the list goes on. Our world has shrunk very rapidly and I am now appreciating the huge range of different types of buildings (and uses) that made up my world of old.

It made me wonder – at the end of these insane Covid-19-times – how many people will think about their home a bit more, what works well, what doesn’t and maybe invest some time (and money if necessary) investigating how it could become a better and more pleasant place for their family to be.

As the entire family is home together in one space trying to use the house for so many different functions at the same time - this might be any, or a combination of 3 things;

Re-organise (furniture or functions) within the spaces;
Re-organise (the internal layout) within house; or,
Enlarge the house externally.

How many people will move house to get a garden for example after realising how much they really, really need one? How many people would really appreciate the ability to separate their home and working time?

We wish you the best of luck re-arranging your world as we are re-arranging ours!

Remember - we are open, we are working, and so is the local planning authority…….

If your home isn’t working for you as your world shrinks -talk to us, we might be able to help you fix it and make it a better place for your family to live and grow.

Play, explore, make mistakes – it’s okay!

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 10:00:00 GMT

Scrolling through the BBC website this morning, I came across some graphic design which grabbed my eye and made me smile.

To celebrate 100 years of the Bauhaus movement – a cornerstone of modern design – the collaboration online platform 99designs asked its members to re-imagine some of the worlds’ best known brand logos in the iconic style of the Bauhaus, with very clever results.

Bauhaus has always captured my imagination and seeing this made me wonder whether I could Bauhaus the Artichoke so gave it a go!

I came up with a couple of variants on a design pretty quickly that I quite liked and asked the lovely people in this office which they preferred.They made some comments, some of which I agreed with, so tried another alternative.I looked at the options again, compared them to the actual logo and made a further variant.

Although I felt that I was being a little bit naughty, playing about with frivolous designs, while the rest of the office worked hard, it occurred to me that there were a lot of parallels between this and the general office ethos.

We love design – it inspires us.
We play, we explore, we discuss.
We try new things; they might work, they might not.
We repeat; the design evolves.
That’s design(-ing) – that’s what we do!

We don’t always agree of course, my favourite is #4, Adrian and Gabrio liked #3.

Which is your favourite?!

This was just for fun and I could VERY easily have spent the rest of the day playing around with little green triangles and I would almost certainly have found a better design.Just like evolution – the longer you give it – the better it gets but just like a project with a budget – there’s a sweet spot!

Here's the original BBC article -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2ng4vd2sGyzHz75K1byMTxx/haus-work-famous-logos-redesigned-to-mark-bauhaus-centenary

So, how long does it take?

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 09:05:00 GMT

The majority of our prospective clients, will have some idea of what is involved in the process that leads to having an extension or new home designed and built. They range from some who think they’ll just need to tell the builder what they want to do, to others, who know they’ll need some drawings. Very few fully appreciate what is actually involved and how long it can take.

So, how long does it take?

There is no exact answer to this, theoretically, there are some types of projects (small, simple permitted development), where you could just call a builder and tell him you want to extend your house by 3m and he could make a start a couple of days later. Unless you’re very experienced or have a trusted builder who is also a designer, and knows exactly what you want, or you have experience in costing, detailed design and programming, (and I don’t mean you’ve watched Grand Designs etc back to back!) I would strongly advise against this!

Because there is no exact answer and because the time it will take depends on so many things, the simple answer is to give yourself way, way, way more time than you think you’ll need. And then some!

I’ll run through the typical steps process including an idea of the very approximate (realistic rather than optimistic) time each step (might!) take for a typical medium sized domestic extension (bigger projects will take longer).

The point is - it could take much longer than you think, and you’ll be in a much better position if you’re not forced into making rash decisions. This blog is more to help with timescales than to fully explain the process*, all of which will vary from project to project. It is possible and we can, have and will work to much shorter timescales but from my experience this drastically reduces the health and quality of a project.

MINUS 4 WEEKS - ESTABLISH AVAILABLE BUDGET & BASIC NEEDS

- Before involving construction professionals in the process, make sure you have an idea of what your overall budget is (not what you think a certain build might cost*) and some kind of wish-list of what you’re hoping to achieve. This should be the accommodation/rooms/spaces/features you’re hoping to create rather than how you think it should be done as that’s what your architect should do for you!

0 WEEKS - EXPLORE ARCHITECTS/DESIGNERS

- Call some architects/designers (ideally from referrals) and meet them to discuss what you’re hoping for and get them to explain what they will do for you, what they’ll charge, and whether this is right for you and your project.

- Ask them questions if you don’t understand anything about the process or the fees.

4 WEEKS - APPOINT ARCHITECT/DESIGNER & EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES

- Appoint your architect/designer and arrange a time for them to measure your house and prepare drawings of it. They will then work on initial designs.

8 WEEKS - REFINE DESIGNS

- Meet to chat through the first set of preliminary designs and take some time to give this thought if you need to.

- Let them know what you do/don’t like and they will prepare some additional alternatives if necessary.

12 WEEKS - PLANNING APPLICATION

- Once you’re happy with the designs, they will prepare and submit planning drawings to the Local Authority (LA) for a Planning Application.

22 WEEKS - PLANNING DECISION & BUILDING REGULATIONS PACKAGE

- *IF* (I really can’t stress that enough!) everything goes smoothly, your application will be approved.

- If not, you may need to negotiate with the LA to submit different schemes or a new application, which may take extra weeks or months. If you’ve given yourself oodles of time and you (and your architect) feel the decision is very unfair, you could appeal it, which may add an extra 3-6 months!

- Once you have an approval your architect will start the Building Regulations package, you will need to appoint other consultants (Structural Engineers etc) which your architect should help you to arrange but will then work with them directly.

- Your architect will co-ordinate the information and submit it to the LA for a Full Plans Application.

- The LA may require some additional information or minor changes, which the architect should deal with (you should receive an approval within about 4 weeks).

28 WEEKS - FULL PLANS SUBMISSION & BUILDER SELECTION

- These are the drawings/information that most competent builders could use to give you a quote and from which to build (although they’re not formally for tender/construction).

- You should meet with a selection of builders and ensure you’ve seen their

work and spoken to their recent clients.

- Select and appoint your builder, ensuring scope, timescales and costs are formally agreed in a contract)

40 WEEKS - START BUILDING (subject to all of the above falling nicely into place!!)

- During the build, you may need to deal with (or get help) other things such as: Party Wall Agreement, Thames Water Build Over Agreement or Discharge of Planning Conditions.

This process is sufficient for the majority of simple domestic projects.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION, TENDERING, CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

For more unusual, larger, or projects where you will not be able to deal with day-to-day site queries, we would strongly recommend employing your architect for a full service. This would include:

- A formal set construction (production) information.

- Selecting, tendering to and appointing your contractor.

- Deciding upon, completing and administering your building contract.

- Attending site regularly to advice on and deal with queries on your behalf.

This process is likely to take the site start date to about 44 weeks

No two projects are the same. This blog is intended to give a better idea of what is involved and highlight that as with anything, the more time you give yourself to progress through the various stages of the process, the better the results of the process are likely to be. It will also enable you to attempt alternative solutions where you can’t get what you initially wanted, rather than settling for something that you’re not completely happy with because you have set yourself unrealistic deadlines or have run out of time.

If you have a project in mind and have got any questions at all, speak to a few architects as soon as you start pondering and they should be able to help you. That doesn’t mean you need to start your project straight away or even necessarily start having to pay any fees, but it will mean that you will have a better picture of how to go about getting the best out of your project.

(Asterisked items* will be covered in future blogs)

Daddy Startup

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:00:00 GMT

I spent the last few weekends clearing out the shed, to make space for the archiving and general junk that has built up in the garden office over the last decade of business, so that it's as clean & uncluttered as it can be (given the diminutive size and the capacity!) for our new starter Michelle tomorrow!

Most things went straight into the bin without much of a thought but of course I came across lots of artefacts that made me reminisce! Some of these aren't worth sharing, although seeing some of the things the kids watch on youtube, I think there's actually a channel for this somewhere!! (I might also follow up with some of the "art" that has been created in the office by my children).

There are hundreds of blogs and articles about start-ups (and I'm sure there are similar articles to this out there) but it seemed relevant to me; although artichoke has grown since then, my values are still pretty much what they were when we started and fortunately the people who have joined me at artichoke seem to share the same values - both personally, professionally and where the two blur (life isn't black & white!!).

This isn't so much of a blog as the posting of a guest article I wrote for a local Family Magazine.

Click here to see the article or read it below.

Our guest writer, Chris Dale, was a hardworking Dad who found himself on the wrong side of the housing. boom. Here, he tells Families his story of how being made redundant changed his life completely.

This year we celebrated a really special anniversary, but not the kind you might think ... At the end of 2007 I was happily working for one the largest private house builder/developers in the country. My wife and I had a six month old daughter and the half an hour commute from our flat in Windsor to Harefield meant that I could spend a reasonable amount of time with them. I had a very good relationship with my boss, which is why he took me aside one morning to tell me that the office would be closing within four months. It was a bit of a shame as I hadn't even been there a year.

Nevertheless, I brushed off my CV and started forwarding it to all the recruitment consultants I knew. It wasn't very long before the calls started coming in with prospective employers. As there were so many, I felt that I could be relatively choosy. I decided that I didn't want to work for large house builders anymore, who generally tend to build the same thing. After three intense interviews I secured a position with a very small developer in Maidenhead, who built bespoke one-off houses. I had studied architecture at university and have a passion for design, so this job suited me down to the ground. They even offered me a share of the company's profits and being ten minutes from home was an added bonus.

I started in January 2008 and everything was perfect, I had the job that I had been seeking for years and a wonderful wife and daughter. The job was going very well and was quite well-paid. So, in March 2008, we decided that we could afford to move out of the flat to a modest semi-detached house with a lovely big garden for our daughter to run around in. My wife and I were concerned about the large financial commitment we were making. But the house building industry was still very buoyant and I thought that I would get work easily if I lost my job again. We moved into our new house in April 2008 and you know what they say: "new house, new baby..."

But then the housing market (and the economy) crashed, Although I was trying my utmost to make myself useful at work, there was no new work coming in and I knew bad news was just around the corner. In July 2008 I was given one week's notice of my redundancy. Not only that, but a week later we also found out that we were going to have a second child.

I tried calling recruitment consultants, who had all hung up their hats and I called all my friends in the industry. They all said that they were now getting 300 to 400 CVs for each post. We had some savings but because of our significant financial commitments I had to start earning money quickly.

It was then that I decided that I would start my own architectural consultancy. My degree and the five years I had spent working in architectural practice had given me the skill and knowledge base that I needed to work on my own and I had made a few contacts working for 5 years for major house builders, who would be very useful.

I wasn't sure where to start, so I started with the obvious, a name for my company. I remembered that the house builders I worked for used to refer to their consultant architects as 'Artichokes' - and so 'Artichoke: Architectural Consultancy' was born on July 7, 2008.

I put some adverts in the local paper and had some business cards printed. The day the first advert went out I had a call and secured my first commission to design and prepare the drawings for a covered dining and barbeque area for a big house near Binfield. It wasn't the scale of project I had been used to, but it was a fantastic feeling; I had earned my first £300!

It was a start but it wasn't going to be enough to pay the mortgage and feed the family. So I emailed everyone in ray address book and called everyone I knew and started to call local builders to offer my services. Slowly the work has started to come in. Our special anniversary came round recently and to celebrate my wife baked Artichoke's first birthday cake this July.

A lot of friends always say "I don't know how you have the discipline to work at home, I would just sit there and watch TV!" but knowing that I have to secure enough work just to pay the basic bills is an incredibly good incentive!

Our baby son is now five months oId and I share my office with him. Running your own business is very hard work and quite stressful and I haven't earned enough for a holiday yet. But the lifestyle of being surrounded by my family and being able to have breakfast, lunch and supper with them, is amazing.

To help make ends meet my wife has even qualified as a child minder, so it is often a little loud around the house and quite tough to concentrate but it's all good fun. Our son will need his own room soon, so I might be relegated to working in the garage! However, the sacrifice will be worth it, as, I feel so spoilt being able to spend so much time with my family, every day of the week.

To contact Chris about architectural work

please call 01753 830 422 or email

- www.artichoke-design.co.u

Which came first, the kitchen or the extension?

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:30:00 GMT

Our team at Artichoke have a lot of experience between us , which means we are able to give a lot of advice (or views); although we try not to be arrogant and understand that we neither know everything about architecture nor about our client’s needs and preferences.

However, there is one recurring piece of advice that we either are only able to give after the horse has bolted, is ignored (or of course isn’t relevant!). But as my dad has said many times whenever we’re going out on a boat, “If you see it - say it.”

Our approach to any project is as macro as possible (at the early stages) and then becoming micro as the client’s needs become more evident. We try very hard to understand what would benefit our clients the most, as well as what they tell us that they want (both in terms of service and design). That isn’t supposed to sound arrogant but in many cases our clients don’t know what might be possible, which can significantly narrow what they think they can do or even how they might do it.

The main point though is that in some instances, we’ll pop along to meet a prospective client and they will show us some work that they've done on their property, be that a new kitchen, bathroom or generally redecoration that wont be affected by the work with which they want us to help them… You might already see where this is going. Because we try very hard to understand how our clients use buildings and how it isn’t working for them currently rather than what work they want to do, our process of exploring a variety of options can sometimes result in solutions, which would affect work that they have already done…

In the majority of those cases our clients think (or say), “damn, if only we’d known!” as once you’ve spent thousands or tens of thousands of your hard earned pounds, it’s very difficult to convince yourself to scrap all the work that’s cost so much, even if it means compromising the overall design because it means you’ve limited the areas you’re willing to have work done on.

There are of course exceptions. It might be that you have a good understanding of what’s possible and do know that you won’t want to touch the areas that you’ve upgraded, or it might be that you’re happy to sacrifice some of the upgrades so that the property is improved while you’re waiting for the architectural & building process to take shape (as this can of course take a while, especially with larger projects or projects in sensitive areas like conservation areas).

In my view though, for the sake of the time it takes to appoint an architect and let them come up with some concept proposals, which should give you a much better idea of whether the areas you want to upgrade ahead of the main build, it’s worth waiting. Throwing a sketch in the bin is going to end up a lot cheaper than moving a kitchen!

Appointing an architect (or feeling like you are making a decision prematurely) can feel like a big step. We’re conscious that not only the building design should be tailored to your needs but also the process and the level of risks you want to take or avoid. Because of this we’ve started offering a ‘Kick-Starter’ service, which aims to limit the initial outlay and commitment but which will give a high level insight into the likely possibilities and likely process.

The intention of this blog wasn’t a sales pitch but coming to the end of it, it seemed to make sense to offer a service, which dealt with the main point of the topic.

Feel free to give us a call if you want an informal chat about your project and we’ll be happy to help.

Artichoke Blog

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To render or not to render...?

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Bright potential for Grey Belt Development

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The event was so well received both by visitors and the consultants whom attended that Artichoke will be running another in Spring 2024.

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Windsor Designs Live

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crowthorne@etplanning.co.uk

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New Office, New Inspiration!

Another (incredible) 3 storey atrium!

Second to the kerb appeal of an imposing, beautifully designed symmetrical, house with feature stonework, behind a huge gate and a spacious gravelled forecourt...

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We know that there are some really big worries when buying a new property:

Quantity or Quality

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BE BRAVE!

Which would you rather – you can only pick one!
��️ – Some incredible architecture and some terrible architecture

Or

��️ – No incredible architecture and no terrible architecture

Site works begin on 2 new dwellings on Dedworth Road, Windsor