RIBA East Awards

/in , /by

WE WON TWO AWARDS AT RIBA EAST AWARDS 2019!!

We attended the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) East Architecture Awards in May 2019 as our Eaton Socon Preschool Building was shortlisted for an award. The RIBA awards celebrate the best of British architecture and we attended knowing that the shortlist contained a great deal of wonderful projects from well established and respected architecture practices. We were therefore absolutely ecstatic to walk away with not one – but two – awards!

Our first was a RIBA East Regional award where we received some fantastic feedback from the judges. As you can see from this link, the standard of competition was exceptionally high. Our second award was for RIBA East Project Architect of the Year 2019 for our Director – Simon Devlin – who received amazing remarks for his commitment and effort relating to the project.

We were shocked and overjoyed with the awards and grateful for the recognition. We want to thank all of the design team, the client team and the contractor for their hard work and commitment to the project in making this scheme possible. Onwards and upwards!

The full comments from the judges are as follows:

EATON SOCON PRE-SCHOOL BUILDING:
In architectural terms, this was very much a one person show and demonstrated the demands placed on a sole trader at the start of their career in architectural practice. The concept designer, technical architect, project manager, planning advisor and telephone receptionist were all the same person.

A community pre-school project, surviving their inadequate and decrepit mobile classrooms, the architect was initially drawn in when his child was enrolled. Initial help developed and grew, throughout an epic journey that saw funding come and go, planning get mired and the chilling discovery on site of a redundant MoD refuelling pipe, to pick out just a few highlights from the project narrative.

Entrance is via a frontal courtyard, perfect for parents bringing their children for drop-off. Receiving staff can be easily seen and the children immediately engage with the large open play space filled with their friends. Entrance to the building for visitors is by the office on the end of one of the arms of a ‘U’ shaped plan. This is perfect planning, as the visitor is immediately welcomed by the school secretary in a strategic location that has two horizontal panoramic windows. The visitor can be tracked up to the entrance, and all the activities in the play courtyard remain under gentle, but constant surveillance.

A ‘U’ shaped plan works very nicely, with each arm of the ‘U’ forming a large classroom, all three of which can be opened into one flowing space. Stores, toilets and wet areas are tucked discreetly into the corners, allowing the three teaching spaces to dominate. A row of central glulam columns aligned with the ridge of the pitched roof, rather than interfering with the large open classrooms provide a nice architectural division, so more intimate reading, doing-and-playing sub-spaces can be created with furniture and cushions. Although lofty, the classrooms have achieved a child’s scale.

From the outside the building disguises the range of very cost effective materials that had to be used in a dark-grey-to-black unifying cloak. Routed slots have been cut in the darkened timber cladding, avoiding the clutter of screwed-on metal plates and other fittings. Despite the budget palette of materials, the result is a unified look and feel, which is brought to life with sparing use of bright colours in the window reveals. At a distance these bright colours look like a powder coated metal, they are so striking in the dark visual field; but in fact the effect has been achieved with a translucent stain. Again, the architect has managed to get maximum effect from very ordinary materials.

So often architects put their heart and soul into a project and get little thanks for it. Here the client is delighted with all they have gained from the brilliant management of a very low budget. Recognition is due for the dedicated and sophisticated design thinking that has made so much from so little.

LABC East Anglia Awards 2019

/in , /by

We recently attended the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) East Anglia Awards for our Ravens Court, Thornham project based in West Norfolk on the Norfolk Coast. Our first floor residential extension was shortlisted in the 2019 awards for the Best Extension or Alteration to an Existing Home category. This project is a contemporary design incorporating a double pitched zinc roof with sweet chestnut cladding. You can see more about the project here.

It was very exciting to be a finalist in this category and a great evening was had by all. It was also good to meet up with the people from CNC Building Control – West Norfolk. Thank you for the lovely evening. Next time we hope to go further and win!

Here is a link to all the shortlisted and winning projects. LABC East Anglia Awards 2019.

Meet – New Staff – Darren Silk

/in /by

We would like you to meet Darren Silk who joined Devlin Architects Ltd in May 2019.

Darren has joined us as a Part Time employee whilst he continues his studies at the University of Lincoln School of Architecture where he is undertaking a Part 2 Masters in Architecture (M-ARCH).

Darren was working for Waterland Associates Architects in Oundle, where he contributed to numerous projects including residential houses, developments and schools. These projects allowed him to gain a great deal of experience that he has employed already at Devlin Architects Ltd on several residential projects since May.

“I felt the work Devlin Architects Ltd undertake were different and really interesting. The work is not conventional and it was apparent to me that there was a lot of thought behind each project. I was attracted by the sense that the traditional detailing and architectural style was present, but that this was done in a completely fresh way! The standard of work seems to be something that a larger practice would produce and I know that this role will provide a real learning experience that I am excited to undertake!”

Welcome to the team Darren!

RIBA East – Shortlist 2019

/in /by

We are pleased to announce that we have been shortlisted for the RIBA East Architecture Awards 2019 for our Eaton Socon Preschool project in Eaton Socon, St Neots. This project was a real labour of love for us as the Architect, lead designer, and contract administrator. However, we would not have been able to complete this project without the assistance and dedication of all the parties involved:

– Eaton Socon Preschool CIO – [Client] – Caroline Allanson, Nick Walker, Jaqueline Hacking and all the staff (past and present). All worked tirelessly throughout the process from initial small conversations of extending to the final big push to complete. This project would not have happened without their commitment and belief in us to get them the building they wanted.

– Gill Associates Ltd – [Quantity Surveyors] – Matt Woollard, Oliver Adams and Julian Harvey – all helped throughout the process to track the costings, monitor the budget and assist in the cost analysis of the build.

– Constant Structural Design Ltd – [Structural Engineers] – Brian Constant and Tom Ashton. We developed the cost effective and aesthetically pleasing timber structure of the building.

– Robert Barker Design – [Landscape Designer] – Robert Barker. Although the overall plan of the landscape has not been fully utilised due to funding restrictions, the help assistance Robert gave during the process was very much appreciated.

– Mixbrow Construction Ltd – [Main Contractor] – Nick Page, Daniel Howell and Patrick Stephens. The builders worked with us throughout the process to get the build started, and then during the course of the build helped overcome some hurdles to get to the finished product.

We are now awaiting our jury visit from the RIBA East jury in April 2019 and then await to hear whether we have been successful on 9th May 2019. The shortlist is a really strong and competitive list that shows the breadth of talent and impressive selection of architecture being created in the East of England.

We have our fingers crossed! Let’s see what happens!

We are hiring!

/in /by

Part 2 Assistant / Architectural Technician Role (20 hrs per week):

Devlin Architects Ltd are looking for a Part 2 Assistant / Architectural Technician to join our thriving and creative architectural practice in Cambridgeshire.

Situated in the market town of St. Neots, our practice runs projects throughout Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Bedfordshire. Our work varies in size and scale and includes rural, semi-rural and urban developments. The Devlin Architects’ portfolio is diverse, ranging from new build community and residential projects, to barn conversions and extensions of historic properties. Our practice works collaboratively with clients, consultants and in-house staff to ensure each project works specifically for the site, building and context. We always approach each scheme with positivity and enthusiasm so as to ensure that each construction is innovative and unique.

We are looking for a talented, highly motivated and enthusiastic Architectural Assistant or Technician to join our expanding practice. Your role would consist of contributing to our varied portfolio at all RIBA work stages from conception to completion.

Your responsibilities may include:
• assisting with specific design and construction packages for a variety of sectors.
• preparing, developing and editing drawings, images and other documents relating to the project.
• providing technical knowledge and understanding of construction methods.
• coordinating and reviewing information from consultants and contractors.
• where appropriate monitoring construction work in progress to ensure compliance with the design.
• liaising with other professionals, contractors and clients.

Candidates should:
• have excellent creative design capabilities, demonstrated by a varied design portfolio.
• be self-driven and motivated, be proactive, work efficiently and systematically within the practice.
• meet project demands and deadlines on time.
• have a flexible and open attitude towards new ways of working and an ability to handle multiple roles and responsibilities within a thriving small practice.
• have a good technical understanding of construction methods and detailing.
• have the ability to use a variety of media to complete tasks.
• be proficient in 2D and 3D technical skills predominantly including (but not exclusively): AutoCAD, Sketchup and Photoshop.
• legally be able to work in the UK.

The position is office based and flexible working is available. The salary is negotiable depending on experience.
The role is 20 hours per week with a view to a potential full-time position within 12 months.

How to apply:
Applicants should submit their two-page CV, selected portfolio and any recommendation letters in PDF format (ensure less than 10MB) and forward to email: gemma@new.devlinarchitects.com . Deadline for interest is 15 March 2019.

Internal view from the dining area

New Project – Rear extension and alterations, Greatford, Stamford.

/in /by

We have been commissioned to design a rear extension to a property in Greatford, Stamford. The property is a semi-detached house with great views out across their gardens and fields beyond. The extension will sit comfortably on the rear elevation and provide the private clients additional space crucial for their family.

We are in the process of awaiting the result of a neighbour consultation scheme with a view to start the detailed design process once completed. You can see more here.

Internal view from the dining area

Internal view from the dining area

Planning Granted – Kenilworth Close, Eaton Socon.

/in /by

We have been granted planning permission for our rear and side extension scheme in Eaton Socon. The project will see the addition of a single storey rear extension and a side first floor extension to this family home. The planning department at Huntingdonshire District Council did not have any concerns with the design or the architecture being presented including allowing the front elevation to be flush with the existing house (ie. rather than setting it back by a foot).

We are now in the process of discussing with the client on the next steps with the view to taking this forward to detailed design stage and construction. We will keep you posted of any developments. You can view more about this project here.

Goes in for planning – Kenilworth Close, Eaton Socon

/in /by

Our scheme for a private client on Kenilworth Close in Eaton Socon, St Neots has gone in for planning. The design has been developed since our three feasibility studies for the property to incorporate discussions with them and amalgamate two different designs. We think its going to look great and will give them the additional space their family needs!

We will keep you posted of the planning process at Huntingdonshire District Council and hopefully we should hear before Christmas 2018!

You can view the project here.

Photo shoot – New pre-school building

/in /by

We have been working with Maciek Platek (www.maciekplatek.com) to generate interior and exterior photographs of our newly completed pre-school building. The finished building has been five years of hard work, ups and downs and a great deal of time and effort from all involved.

The building is a bespoke timber framed construction of a single storey pitched roof arrangement that has been designed to work around serious site, financial and planning constraints. The design was developed to ensure the children were a key focus for window placement, the selection of internal finishes and the colour coordination around the building. We are really pleased with the outcome and have updated the web page to suit. You can view them here.

Here are a few other images.

Option 03 - External view

New project – Rear extension and alterations, Huntingdon

/in /by

We have been approached to undertake some changes to a property in Huntingdon. We are looking to complete a rear extension using permitted development rules and guidance to avoid the lengthy planning process. We have designed three feasibility studies for the client and are in the process of finalising the scheme moving forward.

Watch this space and you can view all about the project and our ideas – here.