Planning permission has been granted to sympathetically extend and alter Café Q to improve the business and customer experience in St Agnes, Cornwall.

The Café is within Trevaunance Cove and is right in the heart of St Agnes World Heritage Site and AONB.

The proposals include the provisions for better customer flow, functionality, disabled WC (with level door thresholds), baby change, flexibility and biodiversity. The extension includes a biodiverse green roof, which will encourage bees and wildlife.

The building work is now been completed and the Cafe has reopened.

Outline planning permission for a sensitive development for upto 5 dwellings in the North Cornwall Parish of Morwenstow, has been awarded planning consent. The site replaces a stable and sand school. It retains all of the existing trees, ecology and heritage assets whilst shouldering the North Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This agricultural building is located nr the AONB in North Cornwall and whilst comparable with other successful Prior Approval Class Q planning applications in other areas in Cornwall the application was refused 3 times before it was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate and approved.

The project involved demolition of an old coach garage/workshop and sub-standard kitchen extension, and replacement with new extensions forming a sustainable, healthy and practical home. The original property was semi-remodelled and includes a new guest wing, kitchen, pantry, utility and store.

Existing asbestos and high levels of arsenic were found within the coach garage/workshop and soils which had to be dealt with making the project more challenging.

Bee bricks were built into the new walls to encourage solitary bees and further ecology. The existing wall fabric of the home has been retro fitted with insulation, whilst the new extensions have been super insulated including PV solar panels, battery storage and triple glazing.

The project reached the final of the National Build It Awards for ‘Best Extension Project’ hosted in London

The Chapel is based on St Agnes and forms one of the seven key attributes identified as Mining Settlements and Social Infrastructure. These key attributes express the ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ of the site.

The current converted ‘Old Chapel’ is a replacement Chapel that was opened on 18th January 1874. The original Chapel was opened in 1842. This however, suffered from storm damage in 1870 and was demolished and replaced with the current Chapel. There was a Chapel built at Higher Bal in 1814 but the location remains unknown.

The Cornish chapel was previously unsympathetically converted into a dwelling and this proposal will restore the natural stone, arched windows, timber joinery and Cornish slate roof.

The proposal has been derived through the development of historical research and knowledge whilst following appropriate guidance to restore and enhance the original form of the Chapel where possible.

The proposed dwelling has been constructed using passivhaus principles utilising high levels of natural insulation, high performance windows, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, photovoltaic panels, wood burner and an electric vehicle charging point.

The dwelling comprises of white rendered walls, timber cladding, timber windows and a zinc standing seam roof. The materials and form derive directly from a response to its exposed environment and eliminates unnecessary details at junctions and roof penetrations.

The roof structure uses timber glulam beams which have been designed to provide generous eave overhangs to prevent overheating from solar gain and provide weather shelter. 

The integration of building systems, technology, design and workmanship has provided a low impact dwelling and EPC 'A' rating.

BkT Architecture provided architectural services for the concept, planning application, building regulations and the tendering to contractors. The property has been completed during 2015.

Here are some sketch concepts to convert two Grain Silos and one stone barn into one residential dwelling for two young farmers in Cornwall. Here are my sketches so far. The combination of various rural architectural styles makes this project really interesting! Watch this space.

We were approached by a private client to provide a building regulation package, construction details and to prepare, issue and agree party wall notices with the owners of the neighbouring properties. The project consisted of a sympathetic extension and refurbishment to the existing cottage.

The Cottage is located within a conservation area and was constructed around 1850. The extension has been sympathetically designed using local materials and responds well to its environment.

Photos by Start and Co   

This Class Q Prior Approval Planning Application has been approved near Newquay.

I formed part of the planning team to lead the design direction and proposals for the owners Planning Agent.

The agricultural building was being used as a cattle shed and is now able to be converted into a highly accessible, efficient, sustainable and modern dwelling within its rural setting.

It is a pleasure to work on the design proposals and I can't wait to see the project move forwards onto the technical design stages.

31 Trevaunance Rd, St Agnes is a true transformation of a typical 1970’s bungalow into an intelligent, contemporary family home. It sits beautifully along the road, which contains many different styles of architecture. Most of the original structure has been preserved but the building has been reconfigured, remodelled and extended to suit the family’s requirements.

The entire external envelope of the building has been super insulated and it has been fully remodelled and extended to include open plan living spaces, additional bedrooms, surfboard store and external shower area to support the client’s outdoors lifestyle and connectivity with the beach.

The staircase was crafted using the finest oak timber and the interiors were designed to be integral as part of the architecture of the building.

The design uses a mix of contemporary details and local materials capturing views, which overlook North Cornwall's famous rugged coastline. The south elevation has more glazing to the sun and rear gardens, which compensates for the heat loss on the north elevation.

Chyvounder is a complete remodel and extension to a bungalow to transform the building into a three storey dwelling.  The house overlooks the rugged north Cornish coastline and has breathtaking views for miles of Cornwall. The project was self built by the owners over 4 years.

South facing glazing has been designed to allow an optimum amount of solar gain whist not creating over heating. Excellent air tightness and a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system has been utilised to manage the heat and solar gain whist providing a healthy environment to live in. This system also helps to reduce the radon levels this area is prone to higher than average levels.

The buildings external materials of timber and natural stone showcase local craftsmanship whilst providing a subservient and beautifully formed building. The windows have been tested under severe weather conditions to last up to 60 years.

The natural stone and the method of laying was designed to enhance the ecology within the build. The south east stonework wall forms a 8.5m high dry stonewall which now homes solitary bees, birds and insects etc which has created originality and delight.

Whilst there are provisions allowed for future installations of solar panels and battery storage the building currently costs only £9 per week to run with very little maintenance or service costs.

Chyvounder is the result of great collaborative effort between the design team, craftsman, makers and suppliers.

Won at Appeal!

A work/live unit for Flowers by Diane based in Mount Hawke, Cornwall.

Flowers by Diane needed to relocate her business and living accommodation due to the uncertain future of the building she was leasing.

The building was designed to sit within the exiting businesses horticultural growing gardens. The design has the workshop on the ground floor with accommodation above. It uses a traditional building form whilst using robust and sustainable materials.

The building has been primarily designed for honey extraction from the owners bees. The building features stunning views, local craftsmanship and west Cornwall granite. The site falls within a World Heritage Site, an Area of Great Scientific Value and AONB.

An effective collaboration between William Trinick at Trinicks Chartered Surveyors, the Structural Engineer and us to achieve Planning Consent for the conversion of a modern barn under Class Q Permitted Development.

This followed unsuccessful planning applications and one dismissed appeal made by a previous architectural team which working as a collaboration of experts we could overcome.

The forward thinking design approach inspired by rural European building forms and technologies, allows the conversion to successfully sit within its countryside surroundings. This simplicity also allowed the design to be within the Class Q planning constraints.

Since the Planning Approval we have completed the working drawings and specifications and the project is now completed. 

This project has recently been approved detailed planning consent for 8 local need and 5 open market dwellings in North Cornwall. The site is on classified 3B farm land which has sea views towards Lundy Island and within North Cornwalls AONB. The proposal aims to achieve a sensitive, high quality, safe, sustainable and inclusive design within North Cornwalls AONB.

Project recently completed.

Waiting for description and photography.

Green Acres now offers Farm Stays - https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/31999251?s=51

We were commissioned to design a Shop and Café on agricultural land and within an AONB in North Cornwall.

The community were having to travel approximately 4.5 miles away to the nearest shop since the previous shop had ceased trading in 2012. 

The proposed appearance of the building positively responds to its surroundings. Hit and Miss style Yorkshire boarding and painted render is proposed which will allow the building to be subservient within its rural surroundings.

The proposed roof material uses dark grey corrugated metal profiled sheeting, which is typical of agricultural buildings within the area.

The materials are also robust and safety conscious to reflect the practical aspects of a rural setting.

The shop and cafe has been completed and is now open.

Our Clients brief was to design additional accommodation to their property whilst being sympathetic to their existing cottage. The property is situated within a World Heritage Site and required an architectural solution that embraced the heritage of the area, whilst providing functionality for the family.

The proposal forms a separate building sited away from the cottage to protect the proportion and style of the street scene and promotes the use natural materials and uses modern design principles internally for flexible living.

The construction phase of the building battled with Trevaunance Cove's old mining remains of tailings impoundments, sludge ponds and underground culverts. Design solutions were generated on site to overcome these issues. The natural stone used for the walls and retaining walls was picked out from the piles of underground mining remains which helps the building sit sympathetically within its surroundings.

Project recently completed.

Waiting for description and photography.

Project recently completed.

Waiting for description and photography.

We were appointed by a private client to produce a Feasibility Appraisal and Detailed Planning Application for the conversion of a barn complex on a farm nr Truro, Cornwall.

We have investigated strategies including environmental design, sustainability, energy efficiency, ecology, access, environmental, planning policies and cost.

The outcome is to provide three residential units, using a borehole for water supply and ground mounted photovoltaic panels for electricity. The design also incorporates a reed bed sewage treatment system to add to its self-sufficient credentials. 

The project has been granted planning permission for three open market dwellings.

We were commissioned by a family owned campsite Nr St Agnes to develop a brief and act as Planning and Architectural Consultant to replace the existing shower and toilet facilities to enhance the campers experience whilst staying. The family has owned the campsite for 90 years and wanted an high quality, individually designed building to set them apart the large corporate campsites.

The new facility hosts showers, toilets, family rooms, disabled facilities, laundry, and freezer room. The aesthetics of the building reflect a modern agricultural theme using rough sawn timber cladding, a triangular mono pitch and a grey corrugated roof. Timber facia, barge boards, doors and windows also soften the appearance whilst the overhang of the roof creates a functional outside walkway and wash up area.

The campsite overlooks the Cornish North Coast and is positioned next to the Grade II listed Farmhouse, Farmstead and near a World Heritage Site.

This area of Cornwall has a rich history of mining and a mineshaft was found and capped near where the building was proposed.

Careful consideration and design exploration was made in order to create a custom building which would look cohesive within its immediate surroundings, whist respecting the mining history, listed Farmhouse/Farmstead and World Heritage Site.

Both buildings have been designed and constructed using the latest Building Information Modelling process.

The facility was opened during April 2017.

Photography by Trevellas Manor Farm Campsite

We were asked to create a concept for a replacement dwelling set high up within the Estate of the Holman Test Mine, located in Cornwalls former industrial heartland Nr Camborne. The site has commanding views over Tregonning Hill, Godolphin and Carbis Bay

Ideas of corrugated metal sheeting for the roof, wall cladding and white render were explored as were using the typical lightweight internal steel frame and truss system inspired by other Cornish mining buildings. Industrial grouping of shed style structures allowed the building to sit harmoniously within its raw mining landscape.

An inventive balance of materials including selected pieces of dumped granite (previously extracted from the mine), which contained stripes, and patterns of blue alvin and copper. These stones twinkle in natural light and would be laid to allow the horizontal stripes of the colourful minerals to follow the elevations horizontally and to create a tapestry of colourful Cornish minerals.

The dwelling would host 4 double bedrooms inc en-suites, playroom/lounge on the lower ground floor which is accessed by platform lift or staircase.

The main entrance floor is accessed from a new parking area situated east of the building. On entering the building you can wash off wetsuits/workwear etc.

This floor has a central hallway which is flooded with light using skylights and you can access the kitchen, dining, lounge, lift and the generous south facing open terrace which over looks the views and it will act as the sunny place. Lightweight open steel trusses would support the corrugated sheeted roof in the kitchen and dining area.

The building could be heated and powered by various eco options. The dwelling celebrates the Cornish mining vernacular and landscape in a contemporary way. A pre-planning application has been submitted and the Case Officers comments have been very positive. A detailed planning application will soon be submitted to Cornwall Council for determination.

Tim and Jess’s dream has been to design and build their own home since getting married. Their brief was very different to most others mainly because Jess is registered disabled with limited mobility and the housing options offered on the market have never met the space and layout standards that she requires. 

They approached us to help and Tim’s family owned an agricultural field within the urban area of Carn Brea Parish. However, it was outside of the development boundary and would prove difficult to obtain planning on for a residential dwelling.

The execution of a robust planning argument and sensitive architectural design was the primary focus of the application to justify the need and to include all the features Jess would require.

The brief was to design a completely bespoke dwelling allowing both to live primarily on the ground floor with good ergonomics, flow and accessibility. There is a 1st floor home office proposed to allow Tim to work from home when necessary in order to care and support Jess.

The proposed design is very compact but designed with functional and practical features. White painted render and timber cladding have been used to provide a clean modern aesthetic. A traditional pitched roof finished with grey concrete tiles provides an affordable alternate to slate whilst maintaining the local rhythm of roof forms.

The dwelling is designed using Passivhaus principles to control a healthy internal environment whilst using very little energy.

Planning Permission has been approved and we are currently working on the construction specifications.