Buildings
From designing new buildings to adapting, remodelling and extending old ones, as a fully-qualified and ARB registered architect, I help bring ideas to life, explore possibilities and create comfortable, sustainable, delightful places for living, learning, creativity and community life.
Whether your project is just the seed of an idea, or you have a fully developed brief, Situated Studio can work with you from the early feasibility and concept stages, through planning applications and building regulations, to construction and handover.
Who we work with
We particularly enjoy working on architecture projects for communities, arts, culture and education, although Situated Studio doesn’t have a specialism. Our clients include community groups, CICs, cultural organisations, charities, local authorities, arts organisations, arts commissioners, developers and individuals.
Why work with Situated Studio for your building project?
Our experience
From her time at Situated Studio, and through previous roles, Amanda has experience of designing and adapting a variety of building types, including a feasibility study for a village hall in Bannau Brycheiniog, a church community hall in Carmarthenshire, remodelling a university library in Cardiff, a vocational training centre for adults with learning disabilities in Cardiff, the Environmental Discovery Centre in Margam Park, remodelling a building for Norwich University of the Arts, an integrated elderly care home in Carmarthenshire and several home extensions across south Wales.
Qualifications
As a fully qualified architect, I am registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). Did you know, ‘Architect’ is a protected title in the UK? Anyone calling themselves an architect here must be registered with ARB, which means they must hold recognised qualifications, demonstrate competency, and uphold The Architects Code: Standards of Conduct and Practice. If you are considering a building project, you can learn more about hiring and working with an architect from the ARB here.
Our building ethos
Building simply
Simplicity can be beautiful, and bigger is not always better. We work hard to simplify and refine proposals through the design process so that buildings use space and resources efficiently, whilst providing calm and elegant backdrops to people’s lives. You can read more about our Building Simply approach in our series of essay posts here.
Rooted in place and people
All our building projects are informed by an understanding of the place in which they are situated, and the people who will interact with them. We start the design process by analysing and mapping the site and context to understand the physical and cultural aspects of the place, so that the design can respond to opportunities and create a sense of belonging. Collaborating with the people and communities who will use or be impacted by the building is also important. We incorporate creative ways to engage with communities to understand their needs and dreams.
Connecting inside and outside
We believe buildings shouldn’t be designed in isolation from their surroundings. We look for ways to make positive connections between indoor spaces and gardens and streets, make the most of views and connect people with landscape and nature. We also design outdoor spaces for growing, gathering, play and communities. Find out more about that here.
Sustainable building design
At Situated Studio, we approach sustainability as an integrated part of the design process, creating potential for moments of delight and improved comfort and well-being, as well as energy and carbon reduction. We always consider passive design strategies – daylight, insulation, thermal mass, solar gains and shading – to help achieve a comfortable environment which doesn’t get too hot or too cold with minimal energy and carbon emissions. We seek to use natural, bio-based and recyclable building materials which look great and are healthy for people and planet. Amanda completed the Passivhaus Designer qualification in 2021 (Passivhaus is an international building standard which delivers high levels of occupant comfort with low energy use) and has always been passionate about environmental sustainability.
Through the design process we explore opportunities to reduce energy use, carbon emissions and negative environmental impacts, and improve biodiversity and wellbeing. For new buildings and masterplans, early decisions about where buildings are located, how they are orientated, the form they take and the materials used to construct them are integrated into the design process. With existing buildings, sustainable design might include upgrading the fabric of the building or reviewing alternative heat and energy sources.
The process
Assembling a design team
Most building projects need more than just an architect to be involved in the design process. We can help bring together the right team of consultants and specialists for your project. These might include:
Structural Engineers
Cost Consultants
Business Planners
Landscape Architects
Ecologists
Surveyors
Mechanical and Electrical Engineers
Energy Specialists
Planning Consultants
Stages of a project
Appointing an architect adds value through all the stages of a building project, from shaping a brief to seeing the project built. Our work is more than just doing the drawings! Experienced clients may be familiar with the RIBA Plan of Works, and we work on all of the stages from 0 to 7. For those less familiar, here is a breakdown of the various stages we can be involved with:
Brief building – We will work with you to understand your needs and aspirations for the building project – what kind of spaces you want, how they will function and how you want them to feel. We will also discuss timescales, budgets and funding requirements; as well as any goals you have in terms of sustainability and biodiversity. These things will feed into your project brief, which can be refined as we move through the design process.
Feasibility – Initially, it may not be clear whether a project is viable or what the best approach to developing the building or site will be. A feasibility study is a good way to test ideas and explore different options before committing to the full design process. Alongside testing different design options, we can work with cost consultants and business planners to help you plan a sustainable future for the project. Feasibility studies are sometimes required to support funding and grant applications. Take a look at our feasibility study for a village hall in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) here.
Analysis – We start most projects by analysing what’s already there, both on the site and in the surrounding context. This leads to a set of opportunities and constraints to work with, as well as some ideas to inform the design. We’ll find out about the climate, the topography and landscape, connections to and from the site, the history of the place, local character and traditions and culture.
Engagement – Community consultation is often seen as a box-ticking exercise, and whilst there is some value in surveys and asking for feedback on proposals, we believe a more creative approach to community engagement can be more inclusive, informative and meaningful. Read more about our approach to creative community engagement here.
Concept design – At the early, concept design stage, we will develop and present some initial ideas, strategies and layouts. Early strategies for sustainability, materials and potential phasing will start to emerge. There are usually a few options at this stage and, through discussion with you, we will refine and choose a preferred concept to take forward to the next stage.
Sustainability strategies – Early consideration of sustainable design means that passive strategies can be incorporated, such as making use of daylight, heating and shading from the sun, ventilating naturally, and achieving an efficient building form and orientation. If sustainability measures are only considered towards the end of the design process, they can be more costly to install and run and less effective.
Developed design – At this stage, designs are developed in more detail. High-level information from engineers is integrated where applicable, and decisions about layout, form and building materials are made.
Planning application – Around this stage, a planning application can be made if necessary. We can advise on the type of application required and prepare and collate the necessary drawings and information to support the application, including Design and Access Statements. If your project is within a Conservation Area, or involves a Listed Building, additional documentation, such as a Heritage Impact Statement, may be required to get the appropriate consents.
Technical design – The technical design stage is where detailed information is developed in the form of technical drawings and specifications – essentially all the information a contractor will need to build the project. Detailed information from engineers is incorporated at this stage; and a cost consultant can prepare a detailed budget.
Building Regulations – Most projects will require Building Control approval to make sure it is designed and constructed to meet standards of safety and environmental performance. The technical design information can form part of the application process, and officers will inspect work at key stages during construction before giving sign-off.
Finding a contractor – we can assist with a tender process to find the right contractors to build the project, and put the contract between you and the builder in place.
Construction – Once a builder has been selected, we can become the Contract Administrator, administering the contract between you and the contractor. This usually includes regular site visits, monthly progress meetings, instructing any changes to the work and agreeing monthly valuations. At the end of construction, we will oversee the handover of your building.
Get in touch
If you have an idea for a building project or are looking for an architect to support you through the design process, please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you for an informal conversation.
