Custom Build Home in Ashburton, Devon

“A friendly and professional practice - a pleasure to work with. Impressive timber frame design knowledge and excellent communication made this project an absolute joy - we hope to work with you again soon. So successful was this partnership that we've been jointly shortlisted for 'Best Oak Frame' at the Build It Awards 2014 - fingers crossed! Photo Credits: van Ellen + Sheryn”

“We instructed Woodford Architecture to assist us in prolonged negotiations with a local developer who had obtained detailed planning consent to convert an office building in the historic centre of Exeter into three floors of appartments with two added penthouses on a new contemporary steel and glass fourth floor. After weeks of discussion we managed to convince the developer to sell us the entire new floor as one large new appartment fitted out entirely to our specification. This entailed some re design of the new structure on a project which was about to start The deal was entirely dependant on Woodford Architecture producing detailed design plans and specifications to very tight deadlines indeed, in the face of a somewhat sceptical contractor. There is no doubt whatsoever that had not Gavin Woodford and his staff worked seven days a week for several weeks we would not have been able to meet our contractual commitments. They are to be congratulated on a remarkable job well done.”

“Alistair of Co create worked with us to develop plans to build a house. We had explored options and ideas on our own, and were delighted with Alistair’s in put it was exactly what we were looking for. We would happily recommend to others so they can benefit from the solid reliability and professionalism Co create offered us. Great Job. Thank you.”

“I own a listed thatched Devon Longhouse which is located in a conservation area where planners are notouriously strict with any planning applications. I decided that I would like a oak framed garden room extension to take advantage of the views and allow more light into the house. as well as a stand alone oak framed garage with integral Linhay and workshop, all of which I wanted to blend in with the surrounding period structures. I had previously applied for a garage which the Planners had turned down. The company I approached to build the oak frame recommended Hugh who at one time was one of their in house architects who they rated highly. I had not been involved in any building projects before so Hugh explained all the various stages and hoops we had to jump through to appease the planning department as well as English Heritage. We had several meetings with planners who appeared to respect Hugh as someone who they could trust to design something in keeping and sypathetic to the character of the original building. As with all bespoke projects we had some small problems but Hugh acted as a intermediary and smoothed these all out with the builder and planning department. The result is something I am extremely pleased with and have recommended Hugh to a number of friends, some whom have said that my extension is the best example they have seen to a period property.”

“We have worked with Woco on a regular basis for the past 4 years, on several projects ranging from bespoke furniture-making to much bigger architectural projects. The guys are a pleasure to collaborate with - extremely sharp, fast, excellent at finding out of the box solutions, and always working with the greatest attention to detail. We really appreciate their design + build ethos, which helps them to bring beautiful fully-fledged creations to life. If we need to commission work, and the Woco team can do it, then we will do our utmost to work with them. ---- Attached a photo of a bespoke basin stand made in 2015 by Woco for one of our project.”

“Excellent dialogue between client and architect throughout the project. Always attempting to incorporate client's ideas into the design. Constant follow up throughout the project and excellent dialogue with builders and other craftsmen involved in the project.”

“I used Simon from Lignum design on a new build project in Yealmpton, Devon. He was fantastic from start to finish. His fresh ideas and quirky designs really finished the house to a high spec. Every person who has had a look at my house and congratulated me on the design and layout and this is all down to Simon. Along with being superb at his job, he always responds to emails and phone calls at his earliest convenience and this therefore sped up the building planning and development process. I would highly recommend Lignum designs to any person looking to build a new property.”

“Our restoration project evolved into a very special experience for all the team involved. Kirsty Curnow Bailey was recommended to us by a local buildings surveyor and we arranged an initial 2 hour meeting. The 'cost' to us was a donation to Kirsty's favourite charity. We gelled almost immediately and the journey began. We were involved at every part of the design stage and our ideas were blended with Kirsty's practicality and imagination. She lead the negotiations with the National Park planners and the conservation officer with great professionalism. She introduced us to two building companies and we were pleased to award the job to RM Builders in Tavistock. I year later the works began. The restoration took 16 months and involved a complete reroofing , new external lime render, major lath and plaster internal restoration and a full replumb and rewire. Kirsty was ever-present and chaired site meetings every 2 weeks. The budget was observed closely and contingency added at 2 different stages. Underground drainage works were a major additional cost and could not have been fully predicted at the outset. The build quality was exactly as requested and Kirsty was adamant that the planned standards were fully met. Discoveries on the way included a 1500 carved granite fireplace in the main room, finding a 3rd staircase inside a 5 foot rubble wall and opening up the blocked cross passage in the centre of the house. The oldest timbers exposed during the works date back to the 1300's! Kirsty was pivotal in returning our home to its current condition, blending very old with contemporary and very modern. We are delighted with the result and we would recommend Living Space Architects to any prospective clients. Everything now works 100%, the building breathes again and will be on track for the next 100yrs for sure. Thanks Kirsty Geoff and Sue”

“GY Architects made a complicated project a joy to work on. They came up with some fantastic ideas that complimented our own wishes and helped us through the planning and listed building applications. The presentation of our planning and listed buildings application was exemplary and there were no objections from anyone - almost unheard of! They provided the service that we wanted and helped us through the fine details. We would happily recommend them as an architectural practise.”

“Qube Design Ltd came highly recommended. Their knowledge and ability to liaise with us, the Local Authority and Conservation Planner was excellent, and made it easier for us. They regularly met with builders to ensure the smooth running of the project.”