Creative Architecture

Gelarah took us through our initial meeting to the end of the design stage of our new build project. She was very good at interpreting our wish list for a house into an integrated design that we loved within only 3 design revisions. We found the process of working with her company straightforward and enjoyable. The cost for the service she provided was reasonable done on a fee for service basis. We would use her again.

Gelarah was recommended to us by a local Canterbury estate agency and has been our architect on three projects to date. We have found her work to be excellent. The first project involved a very small, difficult site with an existing workshop on it. We wanted to have plans drawn up and approved for two small 2-bedroom properties to replace the existing building. This required very creative thinking due to the shape of the plot and an understanding of what would and would not be acceptable to the local authority. Planning was approved at the first submission. The second project was for planning approval to build a 4-bedroom house on a rural site to replace an old wooden house. The site was subject to the adjacent Conservation Area - which posed its own unique challenges. Gelarah’s unique understanding of what would be possible assisted us in creating a home that we think will meet all our needs - and more, when built. Planning was approved at the first submission. The third project was a barn style building to replace an old corrugated barn on the same rural site as the second project. This was challenging, as we had already had planning granted for the main house and again, we were still subject to the adjacent Conservation Area. Gelarah designed a building that followed similar lines to the old barn but to get additional height in the building the ground level was lowered by digging out, therefore creating a first floor level, giving the same visual impact in the surrounding area. The creative use of a cat-slide roof also provided additional covered space whilst adding to the barn style look. Gelarah has the ability to understand the client’s initial ideas, produce attractive designs and then suggest additional innovative options and this creates a great working relationship. Because her designs are well thought out and clear to understand, it also makes life easier when arriving at the build stage and engagement with the builder, potentially saving time and money.

We bought a house designed by Rupert Davison at the beginning of the C20th and we wanted to create more bedrooms, bathrooms and living space. We needed someone who would be sympathetic to the original design, at the same time sensitive to our requirements. Gelarah Hirst listened to our needs and after agreeing the design, she consulted with us each step of the way. One of the lovely spaces she created for us was the sun room. The en suite bedrooms challenging but Gelarah found room for six double en-suites. the attic space was converted to en-suite bedroom and sitting room, a space which is filled with light most days. Whenever we have guests, which is often, we always have wonderful comments.