We are community outreach specialists. We do this through workshops and architecture and sustainability initiatives. Our approach prioritises people and the environment in a fast-changing world. As a small, agile design practice, we value sustainability and community engagement through our research and design work: architecture, conceptual and art projects, furniture, buildings, and urban planning. Our internationally recognised Giant Dolls’ House community arts project, supports refugees, the homeless, and education.

We work closely with our clients to understand their brief, priorities, timescales and demands of the site – environmental and planning. Because we are a small practice each client receives expert advice, care and insight from a senior architect. 

We value good design and are conscious of reusing materials where possible and building sustainably. We can work to Passiv Haus standards and have a real interest in biobased materials and their applications.

We work closely with our clients to understand their brief, priorities, timescales and the demands of the site – environmental and planning. We have experience with different complexities of planning, including a planning application in a conservation area of AONB. Because we are a small practice each client receives expert advice, care and insight from a senior architect.

Process

Our approach to a new project involves different stages, starting with determining what level of service is required and organising a fee proposal. After this initial meeting an appraisal is taken encompassing the needs of the occupants, so that layouts can be flexible for now and in the future. We then produce sketches, adopting a creative, flexible approach so that we can ensure we are all in agreement, before creating documents for planning. 

Experience

We have a breadth of experience, particularly with the residential market. Catja de Haas has a Phd in research into the Home and Housing and teaches architecture at Bournemouth University. The teaching process enables the practice to be current with methods, insights and technologies required for good architecture. The practice is BIM ready. Alongside this academic experience, is her personal experience of understanding what it requires to make a successful home – her own home featured in The Times Magazine – more information on this link. She is well-travelled and has undertaken projects in a number of countries, as well as bringing up a family, working from home and being a carer for a family member. She brings these life experiences into each project whilst respecting that we are all individuals with our own idiosyncrasies.

Environment

We have a good knowledge of sustainability and can build to Fabric First or Passivhaus standards. We like to use local materials when possible and this love and understanding of materials is evident in our buildings. Although every client is different and each site has it’s own requirements, we are always sensitive to the landscape and a sense of place, as well as understanding light, space and form. We like the places we design to have blurred boundaries with the outside, so that there is a relationship between inside and outside. Our aim is to bring all these areas together to create something personal and beautiful for our clients.

Contact

For an ini­tial con­sul­ta­tion contact us by telephone
+44 7803627426 or email.

Collaborators

Stephen Foster — Foster Structures
Robert Chivers — Urban Green Artists
Antonio Moll — Moll Architects