Elke's house has been featured in Your Home Magazine

Elke's house has been featured in the January 2017 Issue of Your Home Magazine

House in Bishopston, designed by DHV Architects 01

House in Bishopston, designed by DHV Architects 02

House in Bishopston, designed by DHV Architects 03

Izaak's Article in Salisbury Cathedral Magazine

Report from the cathedral architect

I officially started as the cathedral architect for Salisbury Cathedral in April 2015, following the retirement of Michael Drury from the post. I am very grateful to Michael for his hard work and expertise over his long tenure at the cathedral: He has handed over the building in a remarkably better condition than he inherited it.

The role of a cathedral architect

All Anglican cathedrals in England need to have an appointed cathedral architect or surveyor of the fabric, as set out in the Cathedrals Measure 2011. The Measure sets out the role of the architect, which is primarily to have an overview of all matters which affect the structure of the cathedral and its contents, furnishings and setting; to inspect the cathedral every five years (the quinquennial inspection); to oversee all repair and conservation work on the cathedral; to attend Fabric Advisory Committee meetings; to report to Chapter annually on the condition of the cathedral, and to have a role in forward development and strategic planning.

Salisbury has a separate close surveyor, Richard Wood, who looks after buildings in the precinct, so my remit is only the cathedral itself within the ‘red line’.

Appointment

I was appointed via a competitive shortlisting and interview process in January last year. This involved talking about my other projects, my experience, and how I would approach the day-to-day matters of the cathedral fabric and its repair, but also how I engage with other staff and consultants and the enthusiasm and ideas I can bring to the role. 

About me

I am employed as a consultant, like all other cathedral architects and archaeologists. I have my own architectural practice in Bristol, where I live with Elke and our son Jakob. I am also the cathedral architect for Truro Cathedral in Cornwall and Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff; both very different buildings to Salisbury Cathedral but equally fascinating in their own right. I also look after Malmesbury Abbey in North Wiltshire; once a rival to Salisbury with an even taller spire until it fell around 1500.

Izaak Hudson

What I have been up to at Salisbury Cathedral

My first few months comprised mainly of inception meetings with the cathedral staff and talking at length to Michael Drury, the cathedral clerk-of-works, Gary Price, and the cathedral head glazier, Sam Kelly. All have a vast understanding of the building and it will undoubtedly be many years before I can attain the same knowledge. 

One of the more notable days was a visit to the Chicksgrove stone quarry in June with Gary to select the stone for Major Repair Area (MRA) 5. Gary was quickly left by the charge-hand to wander the quarry at will to select stone, and we had a long look around the quarry faces and huge piles of stone. Unfortunately, the stone I attempted to select was quickly dismissed by Gary: I am obviously no Michelangelo, and Gary has certainly learnt a thing or two during his thirty years’ experience as a stone sawyer!

   

Chicksgrove quarry: where to start…? Gary in action

   

Testing beds The selected stone is in here somewhere…

I was very quickly thrown in at the deep-end with scheduling repairs for the Major Repair Programme (MRP). The first was MRA 4 (the Presbytery east gable), which involved careful survey on site last September and consent submissions through the Autumn. Very swiftly this year we have moved on to MRA 6 which is the Trinity Chapel and the flanking gables of the chapels of St Stephen and St Peter. Both areas are in very poor condition and some hard decisions have had to be taken with regard to the level of stone replacement. 

The drawings for both areas are now complete, and this will allow the works department to price and plan the work, and start with cutting-out and carving and conservation. Along with MRA 5 (the Presbytery south aisle), these last areas of the MRP will keep the works department busy until at least the end of 2018 

Mason Matt letter cutting to a sponsored MRA 5 stone

I am also currently looking into protective glazing options for the high Moses window in the east gable, which was made by James Pearson in 1781 from a painting by John Hamilton Mortimer, and depicts Moses and the Brazen Serpent. It is a very interesting and ground-breaking design in enamel-painted crown sheet glass, and is one of the largest and best examples of this technique in the country. Unfortunately, water is damaging the sheet glass and the window is too fragile to be taken out again; so we are considering an externally framed protective glass screen. Inspecting the window from the inside with a harness showed the quality of Pearson’s glass painting.

   

Moses window close-up

One other notable inspection was my first trip up the internal spire scaffold with Gary and the cathedral structural engineer, Andrew Waring, to inspect the condition of the internal spire bracing steelwork installed in the 1980s. The sheer time it took to ascend was significant (this is not a trip one should make after drinking too much tea!). Although I have a reasonable head-for-heights, I was fairly relieved when we eventually stopped at the weather door a few metres below the top of the spire; I will leave any future external climbs out of the weather door to Gary! There is a lovely vertigo-inducing video on the BBC website of one of Gary’s maintenance visits to the spire finial which he filmed with a Go-pro camera, which is easily to find via Google.

The view from the weather door on a cold November’s day

I have given Chapter advice on the ‘Beyond the Major Repair Programme’ (masterplan) document, and I will be involved in developing key projects in and around the cathedral to help deliver this. I am particularly interested in how visitors approach and enter the cathedral, and I can see that current arrangements are not ideal. There are also very interesting areas of the cathedral that are not currently very well used or accessible, such as the Parvise above the North Porch and the Treasury with its medieval pavement, and I would dearly love to see these areas brought into beneficial use. I am also keen to see more public involvement in conservation work (I was architect for the accessible scaffold for the National Trust at Dyrham Park near Bath), and I think there might be exciting opportunities for this in the future at the cathedral, perhaps with a publicly accessible works department where the public can see the craftsmen in action.

Last but not least, one of my most important tasks has been the quinquennial inspection which will set out the repair and conservation needs for the cathedral over the next five years. I have already delivered a synopsis of the recommendations to Chapter in December, and the full document is due this summer. Extensive survey of all the cathedral’s spaces has been hard work but fascinating, and I do have to admit that once or twice in my first year I have found myself a little lost perambulating the hidden vices and tribunes that make up the overhead labyrinth of this wonderful cathedral… 

Izaak Hudson

May 2016

News from Bristol (Planning) Development Service

The following changes are going to be implemented by BCC Planning Department:

• A payable Premium Pre-Application Service will be available(PPA) where promoters of major developments will receive a dedicated service in return for an aditional planning fee
• The Planning Duty Officer service will be withdrawn (This is a major blow especially for householders and smaller schemes for whom the PPA will not apply)
• Pre-App advise on householder extensions or single change of use will be withdrawn (Equally unhelpful especially since the BCC Planning Guidelines have not been updated for 20 years)
• The Planning Fee Structure will be revised

Sadly non of the changes will promote better design and seem to be implemented purely for cost reasons. It is sad to think that the quality of the build environment will deteriorate in order to save costs. I think that it would be better to raise the planning fee to provide a better planning service for projects of all sizes.

DHVA are featured in German magazine: 20 Private Wohntraueme

Elke's own house has been featured in prestigious German magazine: 20 Private Wohntraueme.

Open Studio Party at 9 Bath Buildings

Come and join our Open Studio Party at our new office on 13.July at 9 Bath Buildings, Bristol, BS6 5PT from 4.30 to 7.30.

DHV Architects and Planning Ventures Spring Drinks @ The Forge, Bristol

DHV Architects and Planning Ventures Business Event @ The Forge 

Planning consent and neighbourly objections

DHV architects recently obtained planning consent for a large double storey side and rear extension in North Bristol. The client’s compact 3-bed semi detached house is quickly getting too small for their growing family. Given the additional cost of a 4-bed house in the area (with stamp duty and moving costs on top), our clients decided that extending is a better proposition and will create a home tailored to their needs. The project turns a humble 3-bed house into a generous 4-bed house with an airy open plan living/family room and a first floor en-suite master bedroom. The proposed extension is large relative to the size of the original house but the design is considerate to the host dwelling and follows Bristol City Council’s Supplementary planning guidance. However the scheme attracted some strong objections from the neighbours. A few argued that our proposals are too ambitious for such a modest, ordinary house and would radically alter the nature of the building. Others disputed the need for such a large intervention, suggesting that a small scale extension would be more appropriate ‘because that’s what other people have done’.

I completely disagree with these comments because this is exactly what architecture can do: turn humble, ordinary buildings into light-filled, delightful and inspiring spaces. Design ingenuity -rather than sticking to tried and tested solutions- can overcome budget and spacial constraints. Most houses could benefit from good design- it should not just be the preserve of the wealthy. 

Apart from these philosophical thoughts, this story demonstrates that neighbours' objections don't necessarily mean that an application won’t be approved. The Council can only take into account ‘material planning considerations’ when making a decision, whereas some common objections are not relevant, such as:

1. Perceived loss of property value.
2. Private issues between neighbours such as land or boundary disputes, damage to property, rights of access.
3. Impact of construction work on the neighbouring properties.
4. Personal views about the applicant and their character/morals. 
5. Objections related to "party walls” matters: structural stability of adjacent properties, encroaching the boundary line, potential damage to neighbours property. These issues are resolved once planning consent is granted. In this case the clients will appoint a party wall surveyor that will work with the adjacent neighbours' surveyor to draw up a "Party Wall Award". The Award will contain the exact detail of how the new extension is to be constructed along (or close to) the boundary line, foundation type and gutter arrangement.
6. Matters controlled under Building Regulations or other non-planning legislation. The planning drawings show the layout, massing and appearance of the scheme, but don’t contain information on the proposed construction, the structural or drainage details, fire precautions etc.

Heilstatetten Berlin Beelitz: derelict sanatorium reclaimed by nature

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 01

Sanatorium Beelitz is a mecca for architects, photographers, thrill seekers & horror party fans. Decaying buildings with faded past lives still hold a morbid fascination: the vibrant colours of decay, glimpses of a bygone time, ghostly memories...

I had seen pictures of Beelitz before and could not wait to visit when staying nearby for a family reunion. Heilstaetten Beelitz was built from 1898 as a sanatorium to try to rehabilitate tuberculosis patients from the working-class population of Berlin (about half an hour to the north). Such complexes were common across Europe before the break-through in the use of Penicillin to treat tuberculosis in the 1940s.

The giant 200 acre complex with 60 buildings could treat up to 1,200 patients. It had its own power station, butcher, bakery, plant nursery and farm. The patients were treated with vast amounts of fresh air at all times of the year, five meals a day and an obsessive hygiene regime; even radiators swung from the walls to allow cleaning behind. The illness particularly affected young men in their early 20s and it was therefore in the German government's interest to heal such patients so that they could to go back to work. Only those that were thought curable were sent to Beelitz; those thought too ill to work again were left to fate. Fresh air (some rooms had no glass in the windows), extreme hygiene and plentiful food and work were considered the best cure, and actually were a relatively successful remedy; 80-90% of patients returned to work, although the illness could re-occur at any time.

The whole building complex was planned with military precision and was built within four years. The patient's rooms were all south facing to allow plenty of sun into the rooms. The gardens were laid out beautifully with meandering paths and the spoil of the excavation works was used to create small hillocks, optimistically named the Beelitz Alps. Part of the complex was besieged by the Red Army and the Alpenhaus (Ladies sanatorium) was bombed heavily. Later the whole complex was taken over by the Russian Army who ran parts of it as a hospital. After their departure it was bought by a private investor who started to refurbish the north-eastern part which is now partly used as a neurological hospital. After his insolvency the remaining complex fell into disrepair and became a haven for horror parties and nostalgic photographers. Building were vandalised, copper roof tiles removed and overall decay set in creating a ghost town (used as film set for the film "The Pianist" by Roman Polanski)

Today part of the site is accessible as an open air museum with tree top aerial walkway. The Alpenhaus ruins are being allowed to revert back to nature: a whole pine forest grows out of the roof. The floors however remain miraculously intact due to the steel and hollow clay pot structure. The external bricks and glazed terracotta tiles still look pristine.  Guided tours explain the history of the site and keen photographers can book special photo tours. A strange, beautiful place; but well worth visiting.

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 02

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 03

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 04 

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 06

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 07

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 08

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 09

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 09

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 10

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz photo by DHV Architects 11

Heilstaetten Berlin Beelitz Chirurgie

Planning consent or permitted development for house extensions explained

One of the first questions we get asked when visiting a client's house is: does the proposed extension require planning consent?

This article will explain which consent is required for your extension.

1. Permitted development

Certain extensions will fall under permitted development which means that planning consent is NOT required. We do advise clients however to apply for a Certificate of Lawful Development which is a very useful document to have when selling the house.
There is a strict set of rules of what counts as permitted development:

• Side extensions (which are 50% or less of the width of the house, with a maximum height of 4m) are permitted development, but NOT in conservation areas
• Extensions must not exceed 50% of the original floor area
• No front extensions 
• External materials must be similar in appearance to the existing house (which means if your house is rendered the proposed extension should be rendered too)
• If extensions are within 2m of the boundary the maximum height should not exceed 3m.
• Extension must not exceed 3m (attached houses) or 4m (detached houses) from the rear of the original house
• Single storey rear extensions must not exceed 4m in height

For more information on permitted development refer to http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/extensions/miniguide OR http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/house

The certificate of lawful development application can be submitted online on the planning portal and costs £86.

2. Prior approval Notification

Outside designated land (such as conservation areas) the size limit of extensions has been increased to 6m (attached houses) and 8m (detached house) until 30th May 2019. This approval is however subject to the neighbour consulting scheme. That means that the approval will only be issued if the adjacent neighbours do not object (they don't necessary have to consent, just not object).

This approval is subject to the same rules as the standard permitted development. It is important to note that the proposed development has to be entirely on the applicants land and party wall can't be shared between adjoining owners. This can sometimes cause issues if the neighbour has build an extension incorporating a poor quality garden wall. This garden wall will have to remain and be incorporated into the design which can cause construction problems.

The prior approval notification has to be submitted to the development team of the local authority by email and is free of charge.

3. Planning Approval

If the extension is larger than 3m (attached houses) or 4m (detached houses) from the rear of the original house AND is in a conservation area or the neighbour has subjected to the prior approval notification planning consent will be required.

What is considered acceptable depends largely on the individual planning officer, the local authority policies, and other local guidelines. As a rule of thumb planning will normally be granted for extensions which extend no more than 3.5m from the rear of the existing house. If the existing extension of your terraced house is for example 4.5 long you might not always be able to create an infill extension of the same length. It is therefore important to explore layout options how to incorporate the planning requirements yet create a functional and aesthetic scheme.

Householder planning applications can be submitted online on the planning portal and costs £172 planning fee.

4. Listed buildings

Any extensions to a listed building will require planning and listed building consent.

DHVA's South London project featured in EKBB magazine

DHV Architects are behind the remodelling and conversion of a dark and damp Victorian South London house into a sleek light and airy family home. Light timber flooring, a white Bulthaup kitchen and slimline Velfac windows give it a scandinavian feel. The generous corner glazing allows plenty of light into the new kitchen / diner.

EKBB magazines features DHV Architects in Bristol 1

EKBB magazines features DHV Architects in Bristol 2

EKBB magazines features DHV Architects in Bristol 3

EKBB magazines features DHV Architects in Bristol 3

EKBB magazines features DHV Architects in Bristol 5

DHVA finalists for the 2016 West of England LABC Building Excellence Awards

Two of our projects are shortlisted for the 2016 West of England Regional LABC Building Excellence Awards in the category: best extension to an existing home.
The extension to Old Barn in South Gloucestershire creates a large contemporary kitchen on the side of a converted barn. Sustainable features include: untreated Cedar cladding and a Bauder Sedum roof. The whole house conversion and extension in Bishopston has transformed a small Victorian house into light and airy living space. The main feature is a large full height glazing which allows uninterrupted views into the stylish garden.

Old Barn extension by DHV Architects in Bristol

House conversion and extension in Bishopston by DHV Architects in Bristol

DHVA entry for RIBA Woodland Visitor Centre at Langley Wood

DHV Architect's RIBA competition entry for Langley Wood Visitor Hub

Our vision for this project is to create a memorial path or procession to commemorate those affected by the First World War. This meandering path, leading the visitors from the car park to the building, becomes the defining element of the scheme.

The path is enclosed to the west by a procession of free-standing timber posts (the“forest of memory”) that raise gradually from the ground to form the building’s envelope. The access walk, surrounded by the posts and on the other by the hedgerow represents the trenches built on site for WWI training.

The names of war heroes and donors can be engraved on the “forest of memory” posts; the posts are also used as part of the way-finding strategy, which is fully integrated into the building’s fabric rather than added on.

The building consists of three elements: the “hub”; the service block and a glass-roofed entrance area. The “hub” is a tall, lightweight and airy structure emerging from the“forest of memory” that affords extensive views towards the memorial sites. This bright
and inviting multi-purpose space opens into a partly covered terrace facing the rolling landscape.

The service block is a lower, crescent-shaped earth-bag construction that contains the toilets and other ancillary accommodation. Both the “hub” and service block are accessed from a glazed entrance area spanning over the access path.

DHV Architect's RIBA competition entry for Langley Wood Visitor Hub

DHV Architect's RIBA competition entry for Langley Wood Visitor Hub

DHV Architect's RIBA competition entry for Langley Wood Visitor Hub

1960 Remodel and upgrade

DHV architects have obtained planning consent for the remodel of a 'standard' 1960 house involving the complete re-design of the front elevation. The building envelope will be thermally upgraded to achieve higher insulating values than a new build; the new facade will feature high-performance triple glazed composite windows and fibre cement slates cladding over 150mm of wood fibre insulation. The side walls will be externally insulated and rendered. 

DHVA wins Best of Houzz 2016

We are very excited to announce that our work has won the Best of Houzz 2016 in the Design & Customer Service categories, as our portfolio includes some of the most popular images and consistent reviews on Houzz in 2015.

Installation of breathable insulating cork-based plaster at Eco Refurb project in Bristol

Lucy Pedler of The Green Register @greenregister organised a very interesting demonstration today of how to install Diathonite, a thermal insulating cork-based plaster. Sean Denton of Jordaya Contracting and his team applied a liquid cork and lime based plaster at Develeco's latest Eco Refurb project in Bristol: a conversation of a former Methodist Church hall into affordable starter homes. The existing external solid stone walls have a high moisture content and conventional impervious insulation was therefore not suitable. Diathonite has high vapour permeability and excellent acoustic properties. The base coat of Diathonite is sprayed on and then over-plastered with the same mix to achieve a homogenous, self-coloured coating.