Architect wanted- recommendations please

[AnnieT]

Hi there,

We are looking to have some work done to our house and would like to employ an architect to develop the plans, apply for planning permission and possibly oversee the work.

Any recommendations you may have would be gratefully recieved.

Many thanks,

Annie

[bcam]

Local architects - Design Squared?

[lpool]

Design Squared not an architect when last looked. Architectural. Bad experience when used them.

[Higster]

Post removed due to threat of legal action

[hat282]

I have seen two very good extensions recently, both designed by Joe Knight at kndesigns.co.uk. He is based in SE22 and I know both clients were very pleased with his work and that the Contractor thought the drawings to be excellent.

[Redalways]

Like someone else on this forum we would have no hesitation in recommending Joe Knight at kndesigns. Great architect and a nice bloke also.

He did the plans for our kitchen which involved a lot of steel beams and knocking down load bearing walls.

[kojohn]

Agree with Higster, avoid Design Squared!

[Guest]

Designed Squared were very expensive for what was simply a straight forward extension I wanted, so I didn't use them. The guy I met said they were not qualified architects, which is not a huge problem but they were charging prices equal to some high end architects who were qualified....

When I said I had cheaper quotes, they immediately knocked off about ?700....

[Growlybear]

Having seen some of the schemes produced by KN Designs, they would be the last company in the world that I would use. They seem to specialise in ripping every bit of character out of lovely old houses and turning them into bleak, square boxes, which look completely out of keeping with the local environment.

[bryan]

Hi,Kevin treadrea fully qualified architect with own practice has good ideas v easy to get along with and very open and reasonable with his fees [email protected] 07831533669

[Nick Stockley]

Dear All,

To clarify on all of the 'hype' above once again I would like to confirm the following.

Design Squared Ltd was set up in 2009, prior to this I worked for an Interior Design Company called Dulwich Design Ltd as a 'freelance designer'. Due to an increasing demand in my services I decided to expand, resulting in Design Squared Ltd being formed.

We offer a host of individual services which are fully insured to meet clients needs, listed below.

- Conceptual Design

- Planning / Permitted Development Applications

- Listed / Conservation Area Applications

- The Dulwich Estate Applications

- Building Regulations

- Party Wall Surveying

- Project Management

- Interior Design

- Tender Packages

- Structural Design

- Drainage Design / Build Over Applications

- Photomontage / Perspectives

Take a look at our electronic portfolio for some examples of our work which includes architectural drawings, CGI's, photo-shoots etc. We have completed over 400 projects since 2008. Our fees reflect the level of detail that we produce and these are sat comfortably in the middle of competitors locally. Unfortunately we cannot compete with smaller teams who do no produce the same level of information that we do.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0tjun6bsr4n461z/bRm-pMBoiw

My team of 12 offers an efficient personal service and we have an extremely high success rate of receiving planning approvals for a range of projects in Southwark and throughout London. Our business has grown through word of mouth and recommendations.

Our applications can be viewed on Southwark Council's along with other local authorities throughout London.

We also have 17 projects on site under construction using highly skilled and competitive contractors and several professional photo-shoots recently taken of completed projects. You will see our boards on sites throughout East Dulwich.

Planning applications submitted for clients since June 2012 are listed below to clearly demonstrate our experience. We submitted close to 100 projects for clients in 2013 and we have already submitted 39 planning applications in 2014.

110A Northcote Road Ref:

PP-03405865

15 Bankton Road - 1st floor rear Ref:

PP-03365287

15 Bankton Road - GF side and rear Ref:

PP-03365262

216 Broomwood Road Ref:

PP-03366397

6 Ashbourne Grove, London, SE22 8RL Ref:

PP-03393373

50 Northcote Road Ref:

PP-03377088

6 Steerforth Street Ref:

PP-03364518

5 Firs Avenue Ref:

PP-03359607

114 Leigham Vale Ref:

PP-03319086

66 Mexfield Road, London, Ground Floor Extension Ref:

PP-03292220

66 Mexfield Road, London, Loft Conversion Ref:

PP-03292520

53 Court Lane, London, SE21 7DP Ref:

PP-03296707

53 Court Lane - LC Ref:

PP-03317922

75 Percy Road Ref:

PP-03315167

83 Ritherdon Road Ref:

PP-03297329

42 Ingham Road Ref:

PP-03276965

163 Sternhold Avenue - LC Ref:

PP-03281017

82 Melbourne Grove, London, SE22 8QY Ref:

PP-03280535

39 Silvester Road, London Ref:

PP-03262632

46 Fairmount Road, London, SW2 2BL Ref:

PP-03243167

45 Portland Road Ref:

PP-03250842

12 Madrid Road Ref:

PP-03198736

25 Ritson Road - LC Ref:

PP-03166880

19 Oakhurst Grove Ref:

PP-03154165

65 Wood Vale - LC Ref:

PP-03190386

119 Crystal Palace Road, London Ref:

PP-03201301

13 Zenoria Street Ref:

PP-03156432

29 Colwell Road, London Ref:

PP-03161603

13 Darrell Road, London Ref:

PP-03182030

13 Darrell Road, London Ref:

PP-03181934

17 Ondine Road, London Ref:

PP-03160067

Re-submission - 77 Addison Gardens, London Ref:

PP-03183386

20 Scarborough Road, London Ref:

PP-03183055

53B Silvester Road Ref:

PP-03174537

11 Ondine Road, London Ref:

PP-03157469

20 Lambert Road, London, SW2 5BD Ref:

PP-03112022

25 Ritson Road - Lower & Upper Ground FULL Ref:

PP-03130767

20 Lambert Road, London, SW2 5BD Ref:

PP-03112022

166a Copleston Road Ref:

PP-03119085

Unit B1, 206 Bermondsey Street Ref:

PP-03079782

83B Nightingale Lane Ref:

PP-03082958

178 Barry Road - GF side extension Ref:

PP-03060200

84 Melbourne Grove Ref:

PP-03086331

43a Underhill Road Ref:

PP-03068228

27 Raynham Road, London Ref:

PP-03067108

65 Wood Vale - Upper Ground Floor Extension Ref:

PP-03060058

67 Wood Vale - Upper Ground Floor Extension Ref:

PP-03060064

93 Barry Road, London, SE22 0HR Ref:

PP-02994690

8 Holbrook Way - Re-submission Ref:

PP-03066140

7 Ashbourne Grove, London, SE22 8RN Ref:

PP-03056136

39 Glengarry Road, London, Ref:

PP-03046617

25 Melody Road - GF Ref:

PP-03025767

25 Melody Road - LC Ref:

PP-03025886

Copley Dene Ref:

PP-02983148

134 College Road Ref:

PP-03017634

Sandhill Cottage - Stable Ref:

PP-03020857

Sandhill Cottage - Cottage Ref:

PP-02999663

42A Waveney Avenue Ref:

PP-02992564

42A Waveney Road Ref:

PP-02992267

58 Worlingham Road Ref:

PP-02879424

58 Worlingham Road Ref:

PP-02879135

36 Rodwell Road - Second Storey Addition Ref:

PP-02981192

50 Canonbie Road Ref:

PP-02956526

77 Addison Gardens Ref:

PP-02982666

77 Addison Gardens Ref:

PP-02969916

20 Scarborough Road Ref:

PP-02939324

45 Portland Road Ref:

PP-02910072

12 Madrid Road Ref:

PP-02924729

12 Madrid Road Ref:

PP-02924729

25 North Cross Road Ref:

PP-02842996

25 North Cross Road Ref:

PP-02844191

22 Hindman's Road Ref:

PP-02900037

19 Woodwarde Road Ref:

PP-02826039

Unit B1, 206 Bermondsey Street Ref:

PP-02687358

33 Melford Road Ref:

PP-02845516

8 Holbrook Way Ref:

PP-02845339

44 Bromar Road - LC (Main Roofslope) - Resubmission Ref:

PP-02811363

38 Cambray Road Ref:

PP-02835923

66 Fircroft Road Ref:

PP-02772325

40 Grosvenor Road - Removal of Condition Ref:

PP-02826731

184 Stephendale Road Ref:

PP-02810656

21 Gilkes Crescent - Log Cabin Ref:

PP-02807577

281 Upland Road Ref:

PP-02800197

15 Keston Road Ref:

PP-02777141

76 Dunstan's Road - GF Resubmission Ref:

PP-02762647

7 Lacon Road - GF Ref:

PP-02762189

68 Hydethorpe Road - GF Ref:

PP-02754848

30 Alexandra Drive - LC Ref:

PP-02722416

49D Anerley Park Ref:

PP-02713286

49D Anerley Park Ref:

PP-02713286

2A Dovercourt Road - LC Ref:

PP-02651782

218 Broomwood Road Ref:

PP-02621962

206 Dunstan's Road - GF & LC Ref:

PP-02609586

45 Bushey Hill Road - 1st Floor Addition (FULL) Ref:

PP-02601718

45 Bushey Hill Road - 2nd Floor Addition (FULL) Ref:

PP-02602123

40 Grosvenor Road Ref:

PP-02595323

2 Dunoon Road, London, SE23 3TF Ref:

PP-02580404

46 Playfield Crescent, London, SE22 8QS Ref:

PP-02580460

46 Playfield Crescent, London, SE22 8QS Ref:

PP-02580460

46 Playfield Crescent, London, SE22 8QS Ref:

PP-02580505

76 Dunstan's Road - GF Ref:

PP-02572204

76 Dunstan's Road - LC Ref:

PP-02572183

6 Fernholme Road Ref:

PP-02543992

15 Derwent Grove Ref:

PP-02545263

51 Mallinson Road Ref:

PP-02547436

162 Merton Road - LC Ref:

PP-02417352

18 Stephendale Road - Roof Terrace Ref:

PP-02494763

7 Widmore Road, London Ref:

PP-02467895

31 Goodrich Road - GF re-submission Ref:

PP-02117550

76 Whateley Road - 2 Storey Rear Extension Ref:

PP-02467359

6 Sarsfeld Road Ref:

PP-02430266

18 Pentney Road Ref:

PP-02430189

18 Pentney Road Ref:

PP-02430289

162 Merton Road - GF Ref:

PP-02422198

80B North Street Ref:

PP-02426568

26 Lowther Hill Ref:

PP-02404130

74 Adys Road Ref:

PP-02397494

5 Keston Road Ref:

PP-02372633

80 Ondine Road - 2nd Floor Extension Ref:

PP-02372590

18 Stephendale Road Ref:

PP-02359314

44 Bromar Road - LC (Main Roofslope) Ref:

PP-02350981

44 Bromar Road - LC (Outrigger Roofslope) Ref:

PP-02350985

44 Bromar Road - GF Ref:

PP-02350974

76 Whateley Road - LC Ref:

PP-02363097

35 Lamberhurst Road Ref:

PP-02278024

21 Tranmere Road Ref:

PP-02280516

68 Mexfield Road Ref:

PP-02305103

53 Silvester Road Ref:

PP-02177893

40 Crofton Park Road Ref:

PP-02304760

48 Nutfield Road - GF Ref:

PP-02286263

48 Nutfield Road - LC Ref:

PP-02286257

36 Rowfant Road Ref:

PP-02268982

22 Hansler Road - GF Ref:

PP-02213122

7 Winchester Park Ref:

PP-02251550

53 Silvester Road Ref:

PP-02177893

36 Tritton Road - GF Ref:

PP-02230526

32 Trilby Road - GF Ref:

PP-02241246

30c Linden Grove - LC Ref:

PP-02116138

10 Blackwater Street - GF Ref:

PP-02205423

10 Blackwater Street - LC Ref:

PP-02205429

53 Silvester Road Ref:

PP-02177893

419 Upper Richmond Road Ref:

PP-02157549

17 Keston Road Ref:

PP-02078946

27 Hillcourt Road - Resubmission Ref:

PP-02078850

65A Crystal Palace Road - GF Ref:

PP-02026738

13 Elfindale Road Ref:

PP-02044492

52 Henslowe Road - LC Ref:

PP-02036770

52 Henslowe Road - GF Ref:

PP-01987818

31 Rodwell Road - LC Ref:

PP-01971472

356 Ivydale Road - GF resubmission Ref:

PP-01987832

53 St Francis Road - GF Ref:

PP-02022444

Staff qualifications include RICS, RIBA Part 1's, ICIOB, ACIAT, Architectural Technicians, Interior Designers and we are also members of the Pyramus and Thisbe Club which promotes 'Party Wall Excellence'.

We are not 'Architects', however we offer a range of 'Architectural Services' specialising in residential development whilst understanding planning policy and the technicalities of construction methods which are incorporated within our designs.

Design Squared Ltd has also recently been accredited by Southwark Council and we work in partnership with the local authority.

It is a shame that the small number of local people try to damage the reputation of a company which focuses on delivering a great service to clients. As a company we have worked extremely hard to establish ourselves. The impact that these opinions can have on the company and it's employees can be detrimental and personally I would prefer to have a private conversation to resolve problems which existing clients have experienced. This will ensure that we continue to improve our services going forward.

Kojohn and Higster can you please send me a private message as I would like to discuss your comments to determine the project references and to discuss matters further.

Kind Regards,

Nicholas Stockley

Managing Director

[email protected]

0207 7397287

[wphawkes]

To add some balance, we are in the final weeks (hopefully) of a large project that we used Design Squared for. Side return and rear extension, new ground floor layout, lowering of ceilings on first floor, refurbishment of first floor, new loft level and outside landscaping. We have used Design Squared for the design, planning application, party wall agreement, detailed construction package and JCT contract preparation. Only each individual can make a judgement on what they feel is good value, but for us, the priority was working with a team of people that we liked, trusted and produced a high quality of work. Design Squared were personally recommended to us by someone who had a very positive experience with them and we have been very happy with all stages of the process. They produced countless designs to meet our requirements, particularly when our planning was initially refused. The construction package also allowed us to make sure that the tenders we received from the builders were competitive and comparable and we have been able to project manage the whole build ourselves due to the thoroughness of our plans and schedule of works. In terms of saving costs, we've found that by using the expertise of Design Squared, our builders and a lot of internet searching, we've managed to trim a good amount of the construction costs out. All in all, a good experience and a team we have enjoyed working with.

[lpool]

"It is a shame that the small number of local people try to damage the reputation of a company which focuses on delivering a great service to clients. As a company we have worked extremely hard to establish ourselves. The impact that these opinions can have on the company and it's employees can be detrimental and personally I would prefer to have a private conversation to resolve problems which existing clients have experienced. This will ensure that we continue to improve our services going forward."

I guess it depends on what you call a great service to clients. For me far too many mistakes in the entire process, not helped by a lack of understanding at the time of current planning law. We used Design Squared in 2008 (this was the trading name used by Nick at that time - which he retained when creating Limited company in 2009) to do the original design and planning permission, together with subsequent re-designs and planing submissions that were required. Only the project management part was done on a 50/50 basis with Dulwich Design which I was separately forced to terminate in 2009.

For me it is not a case of not being prepared to "resolve problems". I haven't seen Nick or heard from him since he came to view the lengthy snagging list in 2009. I was left with no sign-off from the BCO due to a design error and had to sort this myself. I have since had to spend several thousand pounds rectifying mistakes.

I am normally very supportive of companies like Design Squared who take the initiative to develop a niche product and offer a comprehensive service. However, when mistakes/errors are made, for me it is important that a company is prepared to admit to this, rectify and move on. This was somthing that I felt was lacking with Design Squared. I am sure there are many people who have had a trouble free experience using Design Squared, hopefully benefitting from the lessons learnt from our project!

[Townsea]

In response to the original post regarding local design and architectural services, I can confirm that we have used Design Squared Ltd, for our combined rear/ side extension project and have had a very positive experience to date, with continued support from Nick and his team, despite the project commencing last week (we are currently camping in the front room!).

We engaged Design Squared earlier this year, to develop plans for a large extension space and working in combination with the D2 team, we have developed a unique design that captures the contemporary aesthetics we were striving for, as well as making the best use of our site to maximum space and budget (and ultimately increase the value of the house). D2 were also happy to integrate and re-use existing features such as our bi-fold doors and suggested moving some old kitchen units to the new laundry space, to reduce the budget.

We successfully used D2 services for the planning application (which was granted 3 weeks ahead of schedule), party wall agreements and a detailed construction package (with supporting schedule of works and room data sheets - which Nick personally reviewed & approved) to support the contractor tender process. The last piece was critical as it ensured all the contractors were submitting tenders based on the same scope of work, allowing us to compare like-for-like and make sense of the various proposals.

Good luck with your project.

Amy