February 26th, 2007 by mbc
Having weighed up the pros and cons over the past few months of employing an architect in a ‘full service’ capacity we’ve decided to go it alone.
It’s not been an easy decision and is at least in part driven by the fact that I’ve not managed to find anyone who is able to offer this type of service in the locality of the barn. That meant that travel expenses were likely to be a sizeable cost and time-on-site would be minimal.
These may well be famous last words, but I resent the potential cost and loss of control that a third party managing the project may mean.
So we’ve done away with the architect and gone green….
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Brambling take 2 on May 15th, 2007
There's been some pay-back from the bramble clearing that we spent so many weekends doing.
New Pictures ~ Before on November 6th, 2007
I've been promising these for a while, but eventually I've got there.
Lucious Lime on April 29th, 2007
After my ‘introduction to lime’ course I have a great fear that I may be joining the ranks of sustainable / healthy / traditional / vernacular building fanatics - those guys who, have a glint in their eye (perhaps caused by a small fleck of caustic lime) and a passion in their speech when discussing lime mortars, white-washes, sheep’s wool insulation …
The course was at .
No Stalling on May 6th, 2007
The old cow or chicken shed that is to be our new kitchen was furnished with three wood framed loose-boxes.
Going Green on March 11th, 2007
We never really had any great green aspirations when we started out on this project.
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February 26th, 2007 by mbc
We have some strong opinions about how we wanted the conversion to be. We’re keen on a natural finish, wanting to avoid the dark stained timber, ‘olde worlde’ kitchens & stairs and gravel often to be found in and around a stereo-typical barn conversion. Our aim is to blend traditional rustic design with modern design; the material and furnishings will reflect this blending.
So the question you need to answer is who fulfil the roles of design owner and design implementer. In other words who will derive the initial design (design owner), then carry it through to implementation in your completed building (design implementer)?
This is where an architect can come in - sharing these roles with the other stakeholders (the client, builders, planners etc.) as well as bringing experience and knowledge to your project.
This will all come at a price (budget 15-20% of the total project cost). This is obviously a decision you need to make for yourselves, based upon, aspirations, your skills, the clarity of your design vision and budget.
With strong ideas of our own and our inability to find a local full service architect, we chose to not employ a full service architect.
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Step 3 - property on July 7th, 2006
Start the ball rolling Visit estate agents and search the internet for properties in your chosen area.
Step 5 – project management on March 22nd, 2007
Answer these:
Question: So once you’ve started, who will bring it all together?
Question: Can you handle the potential loss of control of the project of delegating some responsibilities?
Question: Do you have the experience to bring together such a complex project?
Question: Will the role be fulfilled by you or someone you pay (an architect or building project manager)?
Question: What professionals are available in your locality with the appropriate skills and experience?
I think by the time you’ve worked through those you’re going to have a pretty good idea of the way to go and the shape your project is going to take.
Step 2 - the root of all evil on July 7th, 2006
Money!
Get financing agreed in principle, this will allow your to set you budget.
step 1 - questions, questions, questions... on July 7th, 2006
First answer the following questions:
1.
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