Our journey

A very belated Happy New Year!

Sat, 16 Feb 2019 09:49:17 GMT

...so much to catch up on...

It has been a very busy start to the New Year with many exciting projects taking shape.

Kisharon SEND School

Construction of the Kisharon Special Education Needs and Disability School in North London is progressing well. The basement is now complete and the super structure is quickly taking shape! We have been working very closely with the Client reviewing internal therapy provisions and ensuring that at the point of opening the services offered to pupils will be at the forefront of the sector - including a sensory hydro-therapy pool and immersive room amongst others!

Smarden Community Store and Post Office

A planning application has been submitted and we eagerly await the decision which will enable this project to progress to site. Fund raising progress has been exceptional with £70,000 pledged in just 3 months. Further public events are programmed over the coming months to keep people up to date and give them a taste of what the new venture will offer. For further information visit - www.SmardenCommunityStore.co.uk or their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SmardenProposedPOandCommunityShop

Planning Granted In Maidstone & Biddenden!

We had planning permission granted for a two storey rear extension in the Maidstone area. The extension will provide much needed living space for our Client and their young family as well a two extra double bedrooms. We are now developing the detail design for building control submissions and tendering.

Whilst in Biddenden permission for a single storey rear extension and porch was also granted permission providing an extensive kitchen and dining area for our Client overlooking their extensive garden.

New Projects

Several new projects are well under way - watch this space for updates!

If you have your own project that you'd like to discuss contact me... Simon@iS-Architects.co.uk

Construction Begins

Sun, 14 Oct 2018 18:13:41 GMT

Residential Extension

Following building control approval in September, construction started on site in Smarden. The extension comprising of a first floor extension over an existing flat roof and the single storey ground floor extension provides a double bedroom, bathroom, shower room, office, utility room and enlarged kitchen.

Watch this space for progress photos.

Planning Granted in Folkestone

Sun, 14 Oct 2018 16:57:34 GMT

Modernising the Victorian terrace

inspiredSPACE Architects gained planning permission to remodel and extend a Victorian terrace in Folkestone this month. The small ground floor side extension and reorganisation of internal spaces provides an open plan living, dining and kitchen area opening on to the garden. The design reflects the need of our Client's life style providing space for their love of entertaining and a growing family. An additional bathroom extension at second floor replaces the flat roofs and ensures the rear of the property is more in keeping with the original pitched roof design.

Collaborations

shoyle07@gmail.com (Simon Hoyle) — Thu, 03 May 2018 09:21:02 GMT

Kisharon School

inspiredSPACE architects are currently working on a SEND school for Kisharon, a charity that provides education, opportunity and support to people with learning disabilities. I was the project architect on this scheme at my previous employer ArchitecturePLB and when I left, inspiredSPACE architects we employed by ArchitecturePLB to provide support for the construction phase of the project.

The project consists of an extensive basement incorporating hydro-therapy pool and multi-use hall, 7 specialist classrooms within a two-storey extension and two further specialist classrooms, therapy rooms, learning spaces and associated staff support areas within the refurbishment of a grade II listed building.

As part of the design team, I was invited to Kisharon Success Without Limits Annual Dinner last Sunday. It was an amazing evening showcasing the outstanding work the charity undertakes with some truly inspirational speeches from those working for or supported by Kisharon. Their Chief Executive, Bev Jacobson who I have come to know through the school project leads by example having completed the Antarctic ice marathon last year and has plans to run to the base camp of the Alps this year showing that anything is possible.

It has been a pleasure to work on this project with a great design team and with such a committed and motivated Client team that care passionately about the environment and spaces that we create. With the fund raising at 90% and a contractor soon to be appointed it is going to be a remarkable 2018-19 for all.

Images courtesy of APLB

Planning Granted!

shoyle07@gmail.com (Simon Hoyle) — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 08:58:12 GMT

Sometimes small interventions make a large difference

We took on a very small project in January for an expectant couple. Their brief was to provide a snug, with space for a sofa bed so visiting grandparents could stay, a wet-room and ‘baby stuff’ storage space as part of only a 6sqm extension. The challenging part was that this would be on the principal elevation of an elevated plot where the planners have concerns about prominence, mass and scale.

We won consent for a small entrance extension which provides a wet-room and storage space either side of the new front door. Remodelling a small downstairs bathroom and storage cupboard provide the required snug.

The project has taken 15 weeks from the initial meeting to planning consent including (an extended) 13 week statutory period with the local planning authority.

Four Houses

shoyle07@gmail.com (Simon Hoyle) — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 07:50:14 GMT

Simple forms & materiality

Four Houses is historically four sandstone cottages which have been amalgamated to form one property. The extension comprising two blocks of similar form provide two functions – the garage block with a rainscreen of thin strip timber over a rubber waterproof membrane runs parallel with the main A-road providing an acoustic screen to road noise shielding the newly formed courtyard gardens. The living block which has a zinc wrap, divides the garden adding private courtyards to the existing open and exposed spaces. Large extents of glazing on the East and West façade allow the courtyards to merge through the house extending the living & entertainment space further.

The ground floor provides a generous double height vaulted kitchen, dining and entertainment space with supporting utility and gardener’s room. From a first-floor gallery access to a guest bedroom with ensuite and the master bedroom with dressing room and ensuite is gained, views from the master bedroom extend across the open countryside.

Together the three similar forms of sandstone, metal and timber provide modern & practical living spaces reconnecting with the landscape in which they sit.

Fingers crossed for planning permission in two weeks...

iSA Launch - in at the deep end

shoyle07@gmail.com (Simon Hoyle) — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 07:25:13 GMT

Taking the plunge

In Portsmouth 2013, three friends Simon, Cerys and Liam who first met at University many years earlier started inspiredSPACE Architects. Our aim back then was to undertake private commissions which were too small for our large commercial employers and also build a studio environment where we could collaborate, share ideas, knowledge and our skills for the benefit of our Clients.

Fast forward to 2018, inspiredSPACE has relocated to Kent and by doing so has left Cerys & Liam behind developing their careers on the South coast. As the last founding Partner I now lead inspiredSPACE with new Partner, Katrina and having built a local Client base through a successful 2017 I have decided to leave the large commercial practice I once worked for and focus on developing and building inspiredSPACE through 2018 and beyond.

Katrina brings expertise in marketing and business management originating from past management experience in the construction industry and supply chain. As an Architect, I have a broad project background to draw on having worked on projects in many sectors in the UK & Europe including Residential, Luxury Retail, Resilient Design, Light Industrial, Hospitality, Education & Communities where I have put my expertise in BIM to good use. I am also an academic member of staff at Portsmouth University where I guide our students through their time in practice as a Professional Studies Adviser and have previously tutored BA1 & BA2 students. Together we believe we will continue to grow inspiredSPACE through 2018, so as the new tax year starts we celebrate both the 5th year and 1st year of inspiredSPACE Architects simultaneously and hope that taking the plunge will lead to many new and wonderful projects.

If you have a project to discuss, big or small, please email us; info@is-architects.co.uk