Best of Houzz 2025 Winner
Home & Design Journal: Best of Houzz 2025 – A Recognition of Thoughtful Design We’re delighted to share that CARL Architect has been awarded Best of Houzz 2025 for Design & Service. It’s an honour to be recognised, especially as this award reflects both the quality of our work and the experience we provide for […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links
Manufacturing in the City. Brighton. Despite its proximity, I hadn’t visited since 1999—no particular reason for staying away, though my memories of The Lanes were underwhelming. Back then, the narrow streets seemed overhyped, and the highlight was stumbling across a Starbucks, a novelty in the late 90s. After a recent visit, I see Brighton through […]
Thoughts for the Weekend
The Numbered List. After a few weeks of focused articles, I’m returning to a numbered list of random thoughts—covering what caught my attention this week. Warning: very little to do with architecture. Climate change, a dirty station, and the housing crisis are tackled instead. 1. Avoid room service pizzas at the Hilton in Belfast. They […]
Thoughts for the Weekend
The Emotional Blueprint. When people think of architects, they often imagine grand cathedrals, sleek skyscrapers, or avant-garde museums. It’s an enduring misconception that architects only design for the grandiose, not the everyday. But the truth is, some of the most meaningful work an architect can do happens on a smaller scale—in homes where lives are […]
Thoughts for the Weekend
Sliding Doors and the Garden Beyond. Sliding or bi-fold glass doors are one of the most requested features. They appear in glossy magazine spreads, aspirational Pinterest boards, and almost every “after” photo of a project. But why are people so drawn to them? Is it simply because they’re trendy, or is there something deeper at […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links
Design Protects Value. In architecture, there’s an undeniable focus on adding value. And rightly so—homeowners often see their property as their most significant investment, and a well-designed extension or remodel can boost its worth and appeal. But another perspective usually goes unspoken: good design doesn’t just add value—it safeguards it. Consider a home with an […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links
Emotional Power. When it comes to home design, we often think about practical elements—layout, flow, and functionality. But at the heart of every design decision is something much more profound: emotion. As architects, we don’t just create buildings; we create spaces that people connect with on a personal level. And that connection is often driven […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links
New Year, New Columns. It’s been a while since I wrote one of these. By October last year, I’d had enough. The columns had been flowing steadily, but as the year slowed, so did I. The slower things got, the harder it was to keep up the momentum. And, just like when you stop an […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links
One Penny. I’ve not had much time to write this week. I’m sure I could get ChatGPT to write me something in four seconds, but that’s not really the point, is it? I read that the government is knocking a penny off a pint. Big deal, right? Why even bother? The penny can’t be worth […]
Thoughts for the Weekend & this Week’s Links
Norman who?. After speaking to a group of students this week and seeing many blank faces when I mentioned Renzo Piano and Norman Foster, I figured it might be time for a refresher. Here are six architects from the last 100 years who everyone should know about. 1. Frank Lloyd Wright (American – 1867–1959) Wright […]
