This month Carl and I are sharing some personal reflections on topics close to both of our hearts. I’ve also been speaking to a chap from one of the companies Carl has been collaborating with for a number of years. He was very transparent (sorry – we’re talking about glazing and I couldn’t resist). And we have our regular wine feature from Lucy at Wines by the Sea. I can’t wait to try that orange Grüner Veltliner.
Rethinking architectural values: beyond design to assurance
In today’s risk-conscious world, my role as an architect extends beyond creating visually pleasing structures. Recently, I reflected on this while reading the April 2024 issue of the Royal Institute of British Architects Journal (RIBAJ). It featured two contrasting narratives: a design competition with a £2500 prize, which underscores the devaluation of the design phase, and an insightful article by RIBA President Muyiwa Oki titled ‘Confidence Trip,’ which emphasised the crucial role of architects in managing and mitigating risks.
The low prize sums in architectural competitions reflect the financial undervaluing of our creativity, often encouraging young architects and students to work nearly for free. This practice undermines our values and overlooks the professional rigor required in architecture.
Muyiwa Oki’s insights in “Confidence Trip” resonated with me, advocating for a shift in how we, as architects, are perceived and educated. I believe that my true value lies not only in delivering beautiful designs but also in guiding your projects safely and effectively, balancing aesthetic desires with practical risk management.
Having taught within a university engineering faculty for nearly two decades, I’ve seen firsthand the necessity of integrating practical skills with creative design. Architecture, like engineering, involves intricate problem-solving that goes beyond aesthetics.
With the Building Safety Act, my responsibilities as an architect have expanded to include the role of ‘Principal Designer,’ ensuring safety and compliance in your building projects. This role emphasises the need for a broader skill set, combining management and administrative capabilities with traditional design skills.
What does that mean on a practical level? I now need to sign off on the build before building control will. For homeowners, sign-off by building control is crucial for a smooth future sale or refinance. Moreover, it ensures that your most valuable asset has been remodelled or extended compliantly. Additionally, any changes that you and the builder might previously have made on the fly during the build now need to be reviewed by the Principal Designer to ensure compliance with building regulations.
As we navigate modern building requirements, my goal is to offer you a balanced approach that places equal emphasis on assurance, safety, and design. The integrity of your project and its safety are my top priorities. I recently gave a talk that touched on this subject, which I’ll share with you soon.
I’m always eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions on the topics discussed. You will always find me at carl@carlarchitect.co.uk.
Thinking about renovating your home? Me too!
Anyone else finding it overwhelming? I hear you! Embarking on a home renovation is exciting and daunting in equal measure. I speak from personal experience. My own plans, brewing since before lockdown, have still not come to fruition, thanks to a combination of rising costs, external influences beyond my control and – I admit – no little amount of procrastination on my part.
The cost of building has increased since the pandemic and price is an important factor for most of us. Wondering what it’s going to cost from the outset means it’s tempting to think that the first thing you should do is to get a quote from a builder. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from working with Carl for almost two years, and speaking with around a dozen builders, is that this is not the first step in the process. Not if you want the job to be the best it can possibly be and for the build to go well.
What do you actually want?
When I first started thinking about making changes to my home, I had a few ideas, mostly based on seeing what a friend had done. There’s nothing like a bit of good old fashioned envy to get the juices flowing. I wanted my friend had done because I’d seen it. And even though her home was a little larger, I knew it would make a difference and improve the layout of my long narrow terrace house. Then I got chatting to another friend, someone with a bit more vision, which sent me racing over to Pinterest for inspiration. It was there I saw exactly how my home could look with a side extension. This is it, I thought. This is what I want.
At this point I consulted Carl, who came round to see the house and spent time listening to what had in mind. He asked me how I wanted the house to work and what I was trying to achieve. In essence, more light, a bit more space than I have and for the whole thing to work better for how I want to live in it.
Now frankly, given the right budget, Carl could have turned my house into something from Grand Designs. In fact, I distinctly remember one of his ideas, which involved flipping my Victorian terrace upside down, with the bedrooms on the ground floor and a light, spacious open-plan living area occupying the entire upstairs and a terrace with steps down to my little Southsea garden. Or maybe it was a dream I had.
Flights of fantasy aside, the ideas he had were things I hadn’t thought of. How about switching the kitchen and the dining room, given that the latter was basically acting as a corridor for 90 percent of the time. With glazed panels in this area, you’ll get light to your new kitchen and rooflights here and here will bring light to your new dining/living space, which will be open right out to the garden. I’d recommend these doors on the back and oh yes, you can fit a downstairs cloakroom in that little bit of space back there. Bingo! We agreed a design and he submitted a planning application for me. This is something he will do for all clients by the way.
And what do you need?
Planning permission was granted but, in the interim period, personal circumstances meant my dream extension has required some rationalisation. Initially I was gutted, but once I’d got my head around things, I settled back and asked myself exactly what I needed. The answer was that I still needed my Victorian terrace home to work better for me than it does now. Re-enter one Mr Leroy-Smith, who realised this project isn’t the one where Kevin McCloud shows up, and who got down to brass tacks, as they say where I come from. In half an hour I felt happier about the house again and more enthusiastic than I’d done for months. Why? Because he could still see how the space can be improved and work in the way I want it to. Where I saw obstacles and he had a solution or an alternative. Of course he did, that’s his job and he probably redesigns homes in his sleep. So what next?
Designs and quotes
Now I know what I want, and we have a plan, Carl has done a design that builders can look at and give me a quote for. We know the size of the steel required when a supporting wall comes down. We know what’s required to level the floor between two rooms so the builder can estimate the cost of that, and we know how that will affect the roof height and what that means for materials and costs. The builders on our approved list all prefer to work with an architect’s design to be able to give the best estimate they can, which is helpful for me as the client.
I’ll talk to one or two builders and, with Carl’s design in hand, I’ll visit some kitchen companies and discuss layout and what will work within the plan. I might even consult an interior designer for some insights and another pair of eyes on it. This is a small project by most people’s standards, but for me it’s huge. It’s the most money I’ll ever spend on my home, and I want to get it absolutely right. Watch this space.
Featured company: Westcott Construction Ltd
“It’s been said that I never take the easy option. I like to think that I thrive on a challenge!”
Meet Jeremy Westcott of Westcott Construction Ltd, a title which he’s the first to admit is a bit of a misnomer these days. The company has been gradually transitioning from construction to supplying and fitting glazing. They now specialise in bespoke windows, doors and glazed extensions with a focus on Danish and German manufacturers.
The company was formed over 10 years ago when Jeremy decided to leave his full-time job with an engineering firm to focus on what was then a sideline – renovating properties. He worked with Carl as the architect on the kind of challenging jobs he finds the most rewarding; adding an extra storey and a roof terrace to a listed building in Old Portsmouth, creating a mansard roof and attic room on a fiddly property nearby and building this detached home in Southsea. The pièce de resistance was building his own home in the South Downs, on which the abundant use of remarkable glazing is notable. Maybe it was a sign.
In fact, it was when he was invited on a course by Danish glazing company, Velfac, that was the turning point. It led to more opportunities and eventually he opened his own showroom in Portsmouth. The products were so successful and demand so high that he decided to take on fewer building jobs and focus on developing the glazing business.
The other brands he partners with include Solarlux and Spitfire, and he’s genuinely passionate about his suppliers because he believes in the quality, the craftsmanship and the versatility of their products. “The design and quality are simply superb, and they will create the kind of things other manufacturers can’t fulfil, like outsized or pivoting doors, glass canopies and glazing for winter gardens and full glass extensions.”
I speculate that a large amount of glazing on a property means compromising on insulation, heat loss and thermal gain, but Jeremy is quick to put me right. “Glazing technology has come a long way since the 1980s and 90s – it’s had to evolve to meet building regulations and its inspired manufacturers to get creative and develop energy-efficient, climate-friendly products.
“The products we supply are designed to generate more energy than they lose, so rooms are always cosy in winter and don’t heat up excessively in summer.” As someone whose kitchen currently sports a small but poorly insulated glass roof and 20-year-old patio doors it certainly gets me thinking that it’s time for a replacement.
Talking of doors, he also tells me that not all folding doors are created equal. I need to consider the quality of the tracks required to support a heavy door and look for slim frames that create better sight lines, not to mention top-notch security. Noted.
I mention a new front door – something else on my list – and he’s got that covered too. In fact, he’s just back from a business trip to Greece, as part of a new collaboration with a company specialising in aluminium front doors made from thick thermally enhanced slabs with ultimate weather seals. Given our last UK winter this certainly sounds attractive.
Wines of the month, by Lucy at Wines by the Sea
This week I heard someone use the term ‘peekaboo summer,’ which seemed apt given yesterday’s weather behaviour, but Lucy has been convinced enough to select some summery numbers this week. These are also vegan, organic or both.
Solis Lumen Rose, South of France – vegan & organic
A blend of Grenache Noir and Cinsault – this is a crisp, pale-pink rosé showing subtle aromas of pear, pineapple and citrus through to a refreshing palate of raspberry, rose petal and citrus characters, layered with delicate minerality on the finish.
Wizner Orange Grüner Veltliner, Austria – vegan
Winzer Krems is situated in Wachau, Austria in one of the most beautiful stretches of river valley in Europe. The estate is owned by its 981 member winegrowers with 990 hectares of vineyards between them. Grapes are hand-harvested and subjected to strict quality controls, ensuring only the very best are used to produce the final wine. This Grüner Veltliner gets its pale amber colour from being fermented on the skins for 21 days, developing complex aromas of pepper and honey. The palate displays a rich, creamy and spicy complexity. A perfect match for spicy and strong-flavoured foods.
Ingeno Nero D’ Avola, Sicily Italy – organic
Intelligent winemaking inspired by nature produces expressive, organic wines from Sicily. This organic Nero d Avola has a vibrant ruby hue with aromas of blueberry and black cherry. The wine is beautifully integrated and concentrated with forest fruits and spiced plum on the palate and a long, warming finish. Ideal on its own or with chargrilled meats and rich pasta dishes.
All wines are available from Wines by the Sea, Albert Rd, Southsea.
This month’s links
See our article on should I have a house extension?
Anyone else love a bit of vintage in their home?
So, what is orange wine? Hint – it’s got nothing to do with fruit.
