Proposed Floor Plan for Change of Use to Holiday Let
After a lengthy planning process, Let's Design Architecture has recently obtained planning permission for the change of use conversion of a barn to form a holiday let. The barn had previously been used as a shop, although is now redundant storage space. The planning process took some time as we had to prove the viability of the potential use as well as giving reasons why there is no longer a requirement for a shop in this area.
I’ve been working very hard today, finishing off as many projects as I can before the weekend. I’ve completed two building regulations projects this week, drawn up a survey, done a little bit of design work and met some new people. Now working on another building regs project, it’s all go!
I looked up behind my screen to notice the beautiful, dramatic sky outside so took a quick break to rest my eyes. I have a lovely view from here in the late afternoons and early evenings, with the local church visible in the distance.
Have a good weekend all!
I had great night out with some old friends from university in Leicester yesterday - it was good to catch up and see what everyone is now doing! I’ll try not to leave it so long next time!
It’s amazing to see how much of the city has changed since I was last there over ten years ago, parts of it were unrecognisable and completely transformed. I finally saw first hand the shiny John Lewis building with its glass walkway above the road and patterned glass facades, adjacent to the silver metallic cinema complex. The urban design of the city has been transformed with a glossy new finish; roads and buildings having been removed making way for large, welcoming pedestrian areas and open spaces. Shops and bars are livelier than ever in the modernised parts of town.
What was sadly shocking though is that although the city has been transformed, the cost of living has escalated and there were a lot more homeless people on the streets than ever. I don’t remember passing so many in one area, other than on the streets of London.
I also felt very alienated, as it had been so long and I didn’t recognise my old home town, surrounded by today’s young students enjoying their Saturday night out, I have become suddenly very old! Fortunately I had my old friends with me who felt the same way!
Back home now and off to collect the boys from Gramdma and Grandad’s, back to normality and the home comforts of rural Suffolk.
So today I am working up a new first floor layout for an extension project I am working on. I needed to do some sketches on site. Who knew baking paper could be so versatile!
Stowmarket
Planning, Building Regulations, Principal Designer & Tender Documentation
My Client has recently gone out to tender on his project in Stowmarket, which involves a living room extension, conservatory and first floor extension. For this project I have obtained planning permission and building regulations approval, as well as having been appointed Principal Designer for the design stage and completing the preparation of tender documentation.
I have recently issued the invitation to tender to competing building contractors on the Client's behalf. This involved putting together a full tender package for the building firms to work from, including details of the planning permission, building regulations drawings, Principal Designer information and Structural Engineer's details.
The Client is hoping to make a start on the project in February 2018 and we aim to receive the quotations back mid-October.
Having had feedback from one of the Main Contractors to whom I issued a tender invitation, he thought that my tender package was very thorough and was impressed with the level of information provided.
This is the first project which I have completed as Let's Design Architecture through from design stage to tender submission, since becoming self-employed. I hope it is the first of many!
Further details of the project under my Projects page:
Benhall
9 House Development
I have been appointed to carry out a 9 house development in Benhall. The project is still in the preliminary stages - the 9 houses will incorporate a mix of house types, designed in a traditional Suffolk form with modern features including large elements of glazing and open plan living.
It is an exciting project to be involved with and I look forward to updating you on further development of the scheme.
Welcome to the new Let's Design Architecture newsfeed!
I've started a newsfeed to keep my followers updated with the projects I have been involved with as well as keeping you updated on recent developments within the business and anything which may be of interest happening within the building trade or local area.
Since becoming self-employed in early 2016, I have been involved with a variety of different and exciting projects. These include: -
I am currently also involved in a housing layout project for 9 new build properties, works to a shop with first floor flat as well as ongoing home renovation and extension projects.
I can undertake architectural services as required, from initial measured surveys, design concepts, planning applications and advising on listed buildings, to building regulations drawings and project co-ordination.
More information on some of my projects so far can be seen on the 'projects' page. I hope to soon be in a position to put up photographs of finished projects, when the building works are completed for the projects I have obtained consent for and am currently working on.
If you have any architecture related enquiries for your own home or new build site, please contact me to discuss your project in more detail and I will come out to you to provide a free quotation. I work from home so am flexible when it comes to meetings and site visits, so I should be able to fit around your schedule.
Zoe
