BELIEFS
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.
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.