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Forge Design Update!

How time flies ….. can’t believe that we are already in June. It’s some time since our last blog so here is an update on a number of projects that have been keeping us busy over the recent months.

 

Ocean Drive, Turks and Caicos

 

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Detail design and visualisations have been produced for a pair of luxury villas on the Island of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The site is located on the ironshore and has an unbroken view of the ocean. We have worked with our colleagues Make Studio in Bournemouth to create a series of stunning visuals which will be used in the sales and marketing of the properties.

 

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Making the most of the sloping site we have arranged the accommodation so that all major spaces have unbroken sea views – 4 beds all with en-suite facilities and a 42 foot multi-use living space will ensure that these properties will not be short of interest when they are released on the market.

 

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The contemporary design will be developed to a detailed stage with local engineers to ensure compliance with all the current building codes particularly following last year’s experience of Hurricane Irma. We are also getting used to working in imperial measurement again as the islands follow North American convention ….. some of us are old enough to remember 1:48 and 1:96 scales the first time round!!!

 

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North Brook End Stud, Steeple Morden

 

Practical Completion has been achieved on Dragonfly Barn at North Brook End Stud. The 2,200 sqft barn conversion has been snapped-up by the very first potential tenant who visited the completed building and he is due to move-in any day.

 Mike steered the project through the final stages, co-ordinating all the final notices, land transfers, registration, warranties and completion certificates. Liaison then took place with the brokers to ensure that a mortgage offer was received and completed to allow the capital funding to be settled.

 Big thank you to all parties at MSP Capital in Poole, MCP-Law in Wisbech and Homeline Mortgages who worked with us to ensure it all went smoothly in the end.

 Our clients, Douglas and Sarah, are absolutely delighted with the results and preparation is underway to start work on the young stock barn. We have also now been commissioned to look at the remaining part of the barn to seek consent for a change of use.

 We are waiting for our completed photographs so in the meantime enjoy this clip of these youngsters enjoying the spring sunshine!!

 

 

University Project, Cambridge

 

We have worked with our client, a large UK Contractor, on the implementation of an extensive programme of works on a University Campus in the Centre of Cambridge. The project has involved a major de-cant and relocation of existing teaching spaces to facilitate the main portion of the work. 

The temporary accommodation is spread over a total of 7 varying work phases from fit-out of new build space to complete re-modelling of a floor of an existing academic building on the site.

 The main work which involves a considerable amount of very detailed co-ordination is due to start on site imminently.

 

 

Silver Hill, Borehamwood

 

After a planning process that lasted approximately 15 months and extensive consultation Listed Building and Full Planning Consent have been granted for a new dwelling on the site of The Thatched Cottage, Silver Hill, Shenley.

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The demolition of a Listed Building is not something we would normally advocate but given the severe extent of the damage and the scale and size of the building, in this instance it was justified as the degree of salvageable remains were so small. Heritage England were fully engaged and supported our findings subject to agreement on the final design proposals.

 The existing badly fire-damaged building will be demolished following the preparation and submission of a detailed measured survey. The new design will be sited on the existing footprint, to echo the former cottage, with a wrap round extension which provide a range of accommodation for our client and his family.

Work has already commenced on site, with the clearance of the overgrown vegetation and setting-up of the temporary accommodation.

 

Fast Start to 2017!

Forge Design Studio have completed our first feasibility study of 2017 in support of a competitive bid on a highly prestigious site in the South-East. Working closely with our client we visited the site in the first week of the New Year and drew up several potential development options. After some rapid financial assessments, one option emerged as a clear favourite in terms of viability and architectural response.

Located in a historic parkland setting the main building is a grade I listed building! Formerly used as a public building the structure is held in fond regard by the Local Community and will require a well-considered consultation and planning strategy to bring it forward as a deliverable development.

We undertook a detailed site analysis following a helpful meeting and walk-around the site with the Local Authority Conservation and Design Officer. This understanding directly informed our preferred option which considered all the constraints and influences on the site.

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Our client has submitted their final bid, having made the project short list, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for a positive start to the New Year.