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RedRhino

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  1. RedRhino

    How we chose our architect

    By RedRhino,


    General
    There is only one time to get the design correct for your house and that is at the beginning. So many consequences are baked in from the early design work that (in my opinion) you would be crazy not to get professional help.  
    Another maxim we have when investigating potential plots is talking to local people. We button hole anyone we find to solicit their opinion on the local area. And so it was on a visit to Lymington. As the Estate Agent walked me between two potential properties we walked past a sign for a local firm PM me if you want the details. "These guys do a lot of the architecture work around here".  We knew we wanted a local architect because they understand local precedent. Once the Estate Agent had left I returned to the sign, called the mobile number and got speaking to Rob. Very kindly he offered to come out to the two plots there and then. 
    An architect's knowledge of which plot has potential, and which should be avoided is so valuable. In 30 seconds Rob had orientated my thinking and I couldn't doubt his judgement. He's an expert!
    On a subsequent visit, Rob met with us and in about 1 hour he went through the potential of our plot from top to bottom, front to back. He was so quick with CAD, offering solutions, trying alternatives, considering previous precedents - all for free, incredible. 
    But before we chose Kode Architecture we should really consider at least one other. 
    Using google I selected our architect PM me if you want the details but his name is Ralph, only because Ralph seemed to have done a lot of small / single dwelling self-build developments.  Ralph is a RIBA certified architecture. I asked Ralph to do a feasibility study (free) for our plot. Ralph's outline solution was so strong and innovative that it won him the deal. 
    The cost of a RIBA architect is not small but we figured if ever there was a time to invest money it is now. 
    I rang up Rob, made my apologies that he had come second. He was magnanimous and very gracious. 
    Ralph's work on our application has been first rate and we are happy with our choice.
    And that is how we chose our architect. 
  2. RedRhino
    We have managed to stay in our home for the majority of previous builds. This time we had to sell before we could buy the plot / donor house. So yesterday, we packed up from our 325 sqm house in Stroud, moved into a 114 sqm rental house, sold Stroud, purchased the plot and by coincidence the Planning Application was accepted by the District Council. A big day.
    https://planning.newforest.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=_NEWFO_DCAPR_221599
    We have a mountain to climb, but already we can look back on some good progress.  We have a plot, we have a design, we have planning submitted and we are some weeks into requesting Timber Frame quotes.  Many priorities, but one near the top of the list is talking to the neighbours to see if they will comment positively on the planning application.  As a courtesy I gave the drawings to the immediate neighbours before planning submission. Good neighbours are invaluable, especially for demolition and a replacement dwelling. 
  3. RedRhino

    And so it begins

    By RedRhino,


    General
    Yesterday we exchanged contracts on the purchase of a house in Lymington and on the same day we submitted a planning application to demolish the house and build a new house in its place. Probably Timber Frame, definitely to Passiv Haus standards (fabric first etc), 225 m^2, no fossil fuels but plenty of solar complemented by batteries. 
    We have done this before with a TF house in 2009, a small development of brick and block houses in 2015/16, and an ICF house built into a hill in 2017. 
    We hope for a simple, fast build with a high quality result. 
     
    One thing we have learnt is to always be ahead of events and don't change your mind. Let's see
     

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