Why do some architects charge for an initial site visit whilst others are happy to come and see me for free?

The reason some architectural practices make a nominal charge for initial site visits to new potential clients is simply one of proving intent. How many times have you booked a free ticket to a talk or lecture or even a performance and then haven’t turned up? It is not that you did not want to go, it’s just that there was no additional incentive to go, so if something else came along or you just felt tired on the day, it was easy to simply let it go. It’s like pay-as-you-go classes. If you have already paid in full at the beginning of the term, your efforts to attend will inevitably be doubled! And it’s the same with engaging an architect. When Lambert Bardsley Reeve come out to visit a new client it means that one of our fully qualified senior members of staff are out of the office and away from other fee-paying jobs for the time it takes to drive out to the new client and talk over their project. Whilst they are with the client our architects are taking in vital information from the site and from the client themselves on what the project entails and how we, as a practice, can best fulfil the project requirements. This saves valuable time (and money for the client) later should the client wish to proceed with us. The architect will also be giving his or her qualified and considered opinion on matters as they arise and we usually follow up the first meeting with a report on what was discussed on site so that the client has an aide-memoire for the launch of their own particular project. For us, knowing that the client has not only contributed to a short meeting and our travel costs but has also properly engaged with us because of their nominal financial input, demonstrates their serious intent for their project and our potential engagement as a professional practice. When you walk into a supermarket and see new products on the shelf you think you might like to try out, you have to buy them first. So why should it be any different when sampling the architects in your area, especially when they represent such good value for money?! We all like to think we have ‘got a good deal’, especially if things appear to be free. Architectural practices that are prepared to visit a potential new client for free may not be all they seem.

Home Comforts: Insulating a Listed Building

We live in a listed property which is very cold in winter and as a result  we also get a lot of condensation.  Is there anything we can do to improve this?

Listed properties tend to have single glazed windows and often solid masonry walls – neither are particularly good in terms of thermal insulation.  Not only does the heat escape but any warm, humid air within the house condenses on the cold panes of single glazed glass and in extreme cases, the cold internal wall surfaces too.

Creating better ventilation for the house is a good idea but easier said than done.  Help is needed to remove the humid air and prevent condensation.  Modern houses incorporate ‘trickle ventilation’ within their windows to provide this but older properties won’t have this feature.  Changing standard kitchen and bathroom fans for constant velocity fans will help. 

Changing those single glazed windows for double glazed ones is probably a non-started on a listed home.  Installing secondary glazing can be an option although it is fairly intrusive and can be unsightly. 

One solution to improve thermal performance of a dwelling is to use a thin insulation to line the inside of the external walls.  This goes on like wallpaper and generally allows the window jamb and skirting detail to remain – although on occasion these may have to be lifted and replaced over the top.  Although initially it means a certain amount of upheaval in having to empty rooms out or at least clear the external wall, in the long term the thermal properties of these materials is excellent and not only not noticeable once redecoration has taken place but also saves on those utility bills over the long term.

There are now systems available that provide background or 'trickle' ventilation to older properties.  Some cleverly use the existing chimneys to achieve this whilst other systems use a natural stack effect in a duct connected to a roof cowl.

If we can help you with any Listed building issues, contact us and we will be happy to help!

How quickly a year goes by in architecture!

East Norfolk Sixth Form College
 
The Poulson and Gentry Buildings at East Norfolk Sixth Form College were opened a year ago today by HRH, The Princess Royal.  Both buildings were amongst a number which we designed and built for East Norfolk Sixth Form College over some years.  We are all so proud about what we have achieved but have been too busy with other projects to continue with our blogging!  So what better place to re-start a new year of blogging than where we left off? With the wonderful accolade of having some of our projects officially opened by HRH, The Princess Royal!

Several blocks of classrooms, labs and teaching facilities as well as a canteen were created within strict budgets and a short time-frame using a fast-track system to minimise disruption to the college and provide a very cost-effective solution.  The Poulson building, named after Laurie Poulson, Principal of the college from 1999 to 2012, is a “hybrid” combination of steel and timber frame with insitu permanent shuttered concrete floor at first floor.  It features passive stack ventilation and uses a combination of air source heat pump and gas-fired boiler to heat the building.  The new building accommodates 11 laboratories together with prepatory rooms and 4 classrooms, all with supporting offices and staff rooms.

The Gentry Building maintains the design features of an earlier science block which we designed and built in 2003.  It is a classroom block dedicated to English teaching and was named after Anita Gentry, also a former Principal of the college from 1987 – 2010.  The college say ‘An investment of almost £5m has gone into these building projects which we believe represents excellent value for money.’

These energy-efficient buildings demonstrate that good design can be achieved within the strict budgets that are required by educational establishments today.
Contact us if you would like to talk to us about your project.