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Award-winning architect Rodney Black provides us with a unique perspective on architecture and the interrelated themes of religion, philosophy, mythology and history. From practical experience, extensive reading and travelling, in his new publication Giving Orders, Rodney Black shares his lifelong enthusiasms through the arts of writing and architectural image making. PUBLICATIONS BOOKS THAT PROVIDE AN INSIGHT & AWAKENING TO THE WORLD OF ARCHITECTURE Award-winning architect Rodney Black provides us with a unique perspective on architecture and the interrelated themes of religion, philosophy, mythology and history. From practical experience, extensive reading and travelling, in his new publication Giving Orders, Rodney Black shares his lifelong enthusiasms through the arts of writing and architectural image making. RBDS Publications is soon to blur the distinction between daily life, mythology, science and architecture with the publication of a new hexalogy. The dichotomy between dream and reality becomes a mystery to be disentangled through the course of six novels which explore the life of a family over four generations. Each of the parts of the hexalogy is underpinned by reference to the challenging and, to western eyes, obscure, architecture of the mandirs, Hindu temples, particularly of northern India. The novels will be published in order over a period of months. RBDS Publications is also re-releasing two books on some of the work of Rodney Black Design Studios up to 2010. These are on the interior designs for the Lady Christine, a Superyacht which was awarded three global Neptune design awards; and Small Buildings describing some of the finely designed small projects of the practice. In this publication, Rodney Black reminds us that architecture doesn’t have to be big to be excellent. RBDS Publications is considering a book on the practice’s largest current project, Creake House, a significant new house for a private client that is under construction. The design of the house resuscitates principles of proportion and subtle classical referencing in architectural design. Part of the project’s legacy will be the high level of craftsmanship, a factor which is under threat in our post-pandemic era.’ Head over to the website for further information and news: https://www.rbdspublications.co.uk/ Giving Orders COMING SOON A REVOLUTIONARY BOOK BY RODNEY BLACK Giving Orders is a book about order, the way order invests in the natural world from the extents of the cosmos down to the smallest particles. The relevance of the orders to... Read more AVALIABLE TO PURCHASE SOON Amazon Waterstones Blackwell Foyles AVALIABLE NOW BUY ON AMAZON BUY ON AMAZON BUY ON AMAZON Rodney Black Design Studios. Gun Hill House, Ipswich Road, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6HR, UK Tel +44(0)1206 322800 Architecture@rodneyblackdesignstudios.co.uk STAY IN TOUCH: © 2023 RODNEY BLACK. Powered and secured by Wix / PRIVACY POLICY/ SITE DESIGN: RODNEY BLACK VAT Registration no. 665 9458 79 Registered in England no. 3161218

RODNEY'S PORTFOLIO If you are interested in purchasing or would like to enquire about a comission please do not hesitate in contacting us. CLAY OILS PENCIL WATER COLOUR PEN & INK © 2024 RODNEY BLACK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Our practice specialises in new buildings, conservation of historic buildings and regeneration works with many completed projects in the UK and abroad. The diverse portfolio includes new houses, alterations and extensions, furniture, gardens, follies, pools, cartlodges and a superyacht. THE PRACTICE We are a small firm of Architects based in Dedham, near Colchester. Our practice specialises in new buildings, conservation of historic buildings and regeneration works with many completed projects in the UK and abroad. The diverse portfolio includes new houses, alterations and extensions, furniture, gardens, follies, pools, cartlodges and a superyacht. Rodney Black Design Studios Ltd. was first established in 1995 as Geary and Black Ltd., and took over from a practice set up in 1962 by the late Ronald Geary, FRIBA. Rodney Black became practice principal in 1999. We have won numerous awards, including those from the RIBA, awards for craftsmanship and international superyacht awards. THE TEAM Our team at Rodney Black Design Studios is made up of highly skilled and experienced architects, designers and administrators. We value collaboration and teamwork, and believe that every member of our team plays a crucial role in our success. Each member brings their unique perspective and expertise to every project, ensuring that we deliver the best possible results for our clients. Director Rodney Black studied architecture at the University of Auckland and Italian in Perugia, Italy, before qualifying at the University of Liverpool. He has owned the practice for 25 years and has completed over 500 projects in that time. Recieving numerous awards within this period. Rodney is an avid reader & writer and is soon to publish Giving Orders; an architectural book about the orders. In his spare time he also enjoys painting and cultural travels. Select to view Rodney's art. Rodney Black DIRECTOR Philippa Black DIRECTOR Stuart Appleby SENIOR TECHNICIAN Francesca Lynn PA Kay Reyes PART 1 ARCHITECT Luke Simpson PART 1 ARCHITECT Sophia Nicklin PA Rosie Shackell PART 1 ARCHITECT Rodney Black Design Studios. Gun Hill House, Ipswich Road, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6HR, UK Tel +44(0)1206 322800 Architecture@rodneyblackdesignstudios.co.uk STAY IN TOUCH: © 2023 RODNEY BLACK. Powered and secured by Wix / PRIVACY POLICY/ SITE DESIGN: RODNEY BLACK VAT Registration no. 665 9458 79 Registered in England no. 3161218

Welcome to our Rodney Black Design Studios website.

Award-winning architect Rodney Black provides us with a unique perspective on architecture and the interrelated themes of religion, philosophy, mythology and history. From practical experience, extensive reading and travelling, in his new publication Giving Orders, Rodney Black shares his lifelong enthusiasms through the arts of writing and architectural image making. PUBLICATIONS BOOKS THAT PROVIDE AN INSIGHT & AWAKENING TO THE WORLD OF ARCHITECTURE Award-winning architect Rodney Black provides us with a unique perspective on architecture and the interrelated themes of religion, philosophy, mythology and history. From practical experience, extensive reading and travelling, in his new publication Giving Orders, Rodney Black shares his lifelong enthusiasms through the arts of writing and architectural image making. RBDS Publications is soon to blur the distinction between daily life, mythology, science and architecture with the publication of a new hexalogy. The dichotomy between dream and reality becomes a mystery to be disentangled through the course of six novels which explore the life of a family over four generations. Each of the parts of the hexalogy is underpinned by reference to the challenging and, to western eyes, obscure, architecture of the mandirs, Hindu temples, particularly of northern India. The novels will be published in order over a period of months. RBDS Publications is also re-releasing two books on some of the work of Rodney Black Design Studios up to 2010. These are on the interior designs for the Lady Christine, a Superyacht which was awarded three global Neptune design awards; and Small Buildings describing some of the finely designed small projects of the practice. In this publication, Rodney Black reminds us that architecture doesn’t have to be big to be excellent. RBDS Publications is considering a book on the practice’s largest current project, Creake House, a significant new house for a private client that is under construction. The design of the house resuscitates principles of proportion and subtle classical referencing in architectural design. Part of the project’s legacy will be the high level of craftsmanship, a factor which is under threat in our post-pandemic era.’ Head over to the website for further information and news: https://www.rbdspublications.co.uk/ Giving Orders COMING SOON A REVOLUTIONARY BOOK BY RODNEY BLACK Giving Orders is a book about order, the way order invests in the natural world from the extents of the cosmos down to the smallest particles. The relevance of the orders to... Read more AVALIABLE TO PURCHASE SOON Amazon Waterstones Blackwell Foyles Rodney Black Design Studios. Gun Hill House, Ipswich Road, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6HR, UK Tel +44(0)1206 322800 Architecture@rodneyblackdesignstudios.co.uk STAY IN TOUCH: © 2023 RODNEY BLACK. Powered and secured by Wix / PRIVACY POLICY/ SITE DESIGN: RODNEY BLACK VAT Registration no. 665 9458 79 Registered in England no. 3161218

Rodney Black Design Studios specialises in new buildings, conservation of historic buildings and regeneration and renovations works with many of our projects completed in the UK and abroad. ARCHITECTS, INTERIOR AND LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS

Our approach to architecture is progressive classism this means reassesing classical design for the modern era. We apply this rule throughout our projects and strongly believe the finished articles to have timeless relevance. ETHOS Our approach to architecture is progressive classism this means reassesing classical design for the modern era. We apply this rule throughout our projects and strongly believe the finished articles to have timeless relevance. Rodney Black's book Giving Orders sets out these underlying values. Use the link below to find out more about this book. https://www.rbdspublications.co.uk/ SUSTAINABILITY We pride our values on how we can improve the environment, whether that is through sustainability or conservation. Our aim is to create environmentally friendly spaces that are harmonious with the surroundings. We aim to use sustainable products and technology in all our projects including green oak, biomass boilers, heat pumps, photo voltaics and solar collectors. Green Oak frame buildings have been built in the UK for many centuries. They are derived from Roman carpentry practice and have the potential for enormously long life. Some extant oak-framed buildings are over 800 years old. This is an approach to building with which we are very familiar having surveyed and conserved many of them. Our new green oak framed buildings are projected to have very long life, especially as the associated brickwork is laid in lime mortar. This approach to building has many environmental benefits including the carbon capture of the oak structure and the very low ratio of energy required for construction/useful life span. With the strong trend towards energy conservation and the use of renewable fuels, we are taking the lead in every project we undertake to incorporate the new technologies and to reduce heat losses from buildings. Photo voltaics (PV), solar collectors, bio-mass boilers and heat pumps are all technologies we are incorporating into our projects. Creake House A current project which is at the construction stage is going to have zero carbon emissions for 70+ years. This is due to implementing a variety of environmentally friendly installations into the design such as heatpumps, large PV arrays and carbon offsetting with tree planting. CONSERVATION We have been actively involved in the conservation of historic buildings for many years. Our work to date includes 5 Grade I listed buildings, 5 Grade II* listed buildings and numerous Grade II listed buildings and we have received awards for conservation and craftsmanship. Conservation work includes mediaeval oak frame and infill panels, plasterwork including decorative and sculpted interior plaster and external rendering including pargetting, historic brick and stonework, roofing work of all materials including slate, tile (peg, plain and pantile), lead, stainless steel, copper, thatch (both straw and reed), repairs to windows including leaded lights and sourcing hand-made glass, preservation of wall papers, wall panelling, floor finishes including timber boards, brick, tile (including encaustic), stone, staircases, chimneys and chimney pieces, strengthening of buildings without detectable disturbance of historic finishes in the finished work (including underpinning and superstructure failures), installation of mechanical (heating and plumbing) and electrical services into historic buildings, reversion to original floor layouts where intruded walls, floors and ceilings are removed and the finishes restored according to the cues left by original finishes or other evidence of original finishes...and so on. Our expertise led to our being chosen to spearhead the restoration of buildings designed by a British architect in 1895 damaged in the Great Hansin Earthquake which hit Kobe, Japan, in 1995. Rodney Black Design Studios. Gun Hill House, Ipswich Road, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6HR, UK Tel +44(0)1206 322800 Architecture@rodneyblackdesignstudios.co.uk STAY IN TOUCH: © 2023 RODNEY BLACK. Powered and secured by Wix / PRIVACY POLICY/ SITE DESIGN: RODNEY BLACK VAT Registration no. 665 9458 79 Registered in England no. 3161218

Our practice specialises in new buildings, conservation of historic buildings and regeneration works with many completed projects in the UK and abroad. The diverse portfolio includes new houses, alterations and extensions, furniture, gardens, follies, pools, cartlodges and a superyacht. THE PRACTICE We are a small firm of Architects based in Dedham, near Colchester. Our practice specialises in new buildings, conservation of historic buildings and regeneration works with many completed projects in the UK and abroad. The diverse portfolio includes new houses, alterations and extensions, furniture, gardens, follies, pools, cartlodges and a superyacht. Rodney Black Design Studios Ltd. was first established in 1995 as Geary and Black Ltd., and took over from a practice set up in 1962 by the late Ronald Geary, FRIBA. Rodney Black became practice principal in 1999. We have won numerous awards, including those from the RIBA, awards for craftsmanship and international superyacht awards. THE TEAM Our team at Rodney Black Design Studios is made up of highly skilled and experienced architects, designers and administrators. We value collaboration and teamwork, and believe that every member of our team plays a crucial role in our success. Each member brings their unique perspective and expertise to every project, ensuring that we deliver the best possible results for our clients. Rodney Black DIRECTOR Philippa Black DIRECTOR Stuart Appleby SENIOR TECHNICIAN Sophia Nicklin PA Francesca Lynn PA Rodney Black Design Studios. Gun Hill House, Ipswich Road, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6HR, UK Tel +44(0)1206 322800 Architecture@rodneyblackdesignstudios.co.uk STAY IN TOUCH: © 2023 RODNEY BLACK. Powered and secured by Wix / PRIVACY POLICY/ SITE DESIGN: RODNEY BLACK VAT Registration no. 665 9458 79 Registered in England no. 3161218

The existing cottage is small and inadequate for modern living. Our proposals include repairs and partial rebuilding, a new sitting room extension, a new entrance from the farmyard and opening up the existing doorway to allow access into the new sitting room. image CH Cottage Describe your image image 1/4 CORN HALL COTTAGE Corn Hall Cottage is a brick and peg tiled cottage on two floors with the East wall built of a farmyard wall. The existing cottage is small and inadequate for modern living. Our proposals include repairs and partial rebuilding, a new sitting room extension, a new entrance from the farmyard and opening up the existing doorway to allow access into the new sitting room. The roof of the extension is to be a pyramidal roof and the flue has been designed to be an architectural feature above te roof line. We have successfully obtained planning persmission with our proposals for our clients and are looking forward to starting work imminently. RETURN TO: INTERIOR PROJECTS LANDSCAPE PROJECTS ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS IN THE WORKS Rodney Black Design Studios. Gun Hill House, Ipswich Road, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6HR, UK Tel +44(0)1206 322800 Architecture@rodneyblackdesignstudios.co.uk STAY IN TOUCH: VAT Registration no. 665 9458 79 Registered in England no. 3161218 © 2023 RODNEY BLACK. Powered and secured by Wix / PRIVACY POLICY/ SITE DESIGN: RODNEY BLACK

Bucklers Farmhouse is Grade II listed. ​ The sunken garden and gazebo, hand carved from oak with a lead roof, were constructedin the adjoining walled space creating a continuation of the sequence of garden enclosures. ​ New hard landscaping including a new swimming pool, raised lawns, pavilions and pergola, transformed an unused part of the garden. ​ bay1992_edited buckler5 buckler Describe your image bay1992_edited 1/6 BUCKLERS FARMHOUSE Bucklers Farmhouse is Grade II listed. The sunken garden and gazebo, hand carved from oak with a lead roof, were constructedin the adjoining walled space creating a continuation of the sequence of garden enclosures. New hard landscaping including a new swimming pool, raised lawns, pavilions and pergola, transformed an unused part of the garden. PROJECT GALLERY 1/7 RETURN TO: INTERIOR PROJECTS LANDSCAPE PROJECTS ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS IN THE WORKS Rodney Black Design Studios. Gun Hill House, Ipswich Road, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6HR, UK Tel +44(0)1206 322800 Architecture@rodneyblackdesignstudios.co.uk STAY IN TOUCH: © 2023 RODNEY BLACK. Powered and secured by Wix / PRIVACY POLICY/ SITE DESIGN: RODNEY BLACK VAT Registration no. 665 9458 79 Registered in England no. 3161218