Proctor Watts Cole Rutter

We approached Simon at PWCR for an opinion on whether it would be feasible that we could obtain planning consent on the edge of a field on our property that was between two other properties but outside the town boundary. Simon was very objective but did feel that it was worth applying since the planning rules had relaxed. Geoff, an architect at PWCR was consulted to design a suitable property that suited our needs whilst also appealing to the planners and a comprehensive application was made which resulted in the granting of the application. The site has panoramic views over the Vale and the design of the house was centred around this with a central oak structure containing a first floor balcony. We commenced the build, self project managing it with the reassurance that Geoff was on hand for any queries we had and he was very helpful with his advice. We would thoroughly recommend PWCR for any Planning and design projects.

We employed Geoff Cole and appreciated very quickly the breath of his considerable knowledge and skills. There wasn't a single meeting that he didn't fail to come up with a solution. He was calm, organised and polite. We would not have come in on budget without him. He was a pleasure to work with.

We employed PWCR for both the design and management of our building project in North Dorset. The project was to refurbish, extend and upgrade an 18th century farm house and outbuildings. The work started in October 2018 and finished in December 2019. PWCR were employed from October 2017 to work on the design and all required preliminaries for the project. We lived on site throughout. We were fortunate to be guided by Geoff Cole and his excellent (and entertaining assistant) Alex Spooner. They were prompt , efficient and a pleasure to work with . The design phase felt like a collaborative process and Geoff was very open about our ideas being incorporated into the design . He took a huge amount of care and trouble in helping us pick the right contractor for the job and thereafter was always available to visit the site (in addition to regular site meetings ) to advise on specific issues as they arose. His good relationship with the contractor was very helpful and he was always willing to promote our interests in any discussions. Geoff is a calm, knowledgable and professional architect and we are extremely pleased with the finished product. He also has very good contacts with other professionals and contractors as required for those parts of the project which were outside his remit.

This project was designed and managed by Proctor Watts Cole Rutter and we were fully satisfied with the results. The project was efficiently and professionally managed throughout with regular review meetings which we liked. The project was completed within the budget and estimate costs.

Geoff Cole of Proctor Watts Cole and Rutter was the architect and contract administrator on our new build project. We entered the project as very naïve first time builders. We had ideas about what we wanted but no idea about how to turn these half-formed ideas into a house - much less how to get it built. Geoff listened to our thoughts and made enumerable suggestions for improvements (most of which we included - but he was not upset when we rejected or modified this ideas). With his help we came to a plan that fitted both what our hearts wanted and what our wallet could stand. Geoff was invaluable in helping us through the tendering process - guiding us to well respected builders that offered competitive tenders. With his help we selected a local firm that proved to be excellent. Our regular meetings during the build usually started with us in a panic over some aspect of the building process that we did not understand (or had misunderstood). Geoff throughout was calm and reassuring, explaining how each issue was normally dealt with - continually making us feel that we were in safe hands. Geoff had a good relationship with our builders based on mutual respect and that helped to smooth over the inevitable difficult discussions around cost variations. Throughout the build Geoff "held our hands" and helped to de-stress the whole process. We finished with a house that we love, built to budget and more or less to time (even Geoff could not protect us from vagaries of the English weather).

Complete renovation and additional extension to a 1908 cottage. From the initial telephone conversation to completion eight months' later, Geoff Cole has been knowledgeable, insightful and approachable. From the thumbnail sketch within the first 24 hours to completion, PWCR have been faultless.

We needed an inspirational original and creative Architect. We interviewed 26 until we met Philip Proctor. Then we stopped and have worked exclusively with him for the past 15 years or so. His ability to understand space, light and orientation is enviable. His passion for the finished product at a commercially viable price without losing sight of the design and impact of the property in its surroundings is his lasting legacy to us all. We will continue to work with him and his outstanding support team till we stop developing.

We had an interesting challenge in wanting to create more space from a dark courtyard, with little access for building works, and to incorporate a wet room and utility area, as well as a second reception room. Geoff Cole of PWCR managed to find a creative solution that gave us a light filled modern area, creating a new space and reusing the existing victorian outbuilding, and adding in the features we wanted, like a living sedum roof, circular skylight, water capture system, and perhaps the most peculiar requirement - a cat tunnel... The design that Geoff proposed, and which we went ahead with addressed all our needs, and we now have a fabulous new space and outside landscaping. Throughout the process, we were kept fully up to date with regular project meetings, minutes and site visits. Any queries were dealt with quickly, and Geoff was on hand as required. He also worked with us to find the best builders for the job, with local experience, and who were flexible with the access challenges. Overall, we've been exceptionally pleased with the end result, and would recommend Geoff and his team, particularly for anyone who has an odd shaped, inaccessible piece of land that they have grand designs for - he won't bat an eyelid, but will deliver!

As a developer I need an architect who can design a home that is commercially viable, economical to build, takes advantage of the plot it is to be built in and above all has wow factor. Geoff delivers on all counts and together with his support team ensures that I have all the tools to complete a successful project. I thoroughly and confidently recommend Geoff, and the PWCR practice, and will definitely use him for my next project.

Proctor Watts Cole Rutter provided a complete architectural service for our Grade II listed farm house from discussing and producing initial design ideas and dealing with planning and conservation issues to fully project managing the job