5* review

Just received this review which made my day:

“We would 100% recommend Mark. We finally found someone who gave us the advice and reassurance we needed (after years of planning & architect pain!). He is very calm, knowledgeable and professional and helped changed our view on our house renovation.

He helped us replan our house so it flowed better downstairs, investigated more environmentally ways to heat our house and he expertly managed the tender process of finding the right builder with great attention to detail. We will definitely call upon his help again if needed.

Julianna & Chris”

Planning Approval

In a great start to the weekend, I am delighted for my clients Lucas and Sarah who’s Planning permission was granted today for a complete internal reorganisation, rear extension plus changes to the fenestration of their 1960’s home. I’m looing forward to progressing the Technical Plans and seeing this build through to completion.

Happy Easter

Wishing you a happy Easter weekend especially now we can socialise with family and friends again.

The office is now closed until Tuesday 6th April, 9am.

Forest School Approval

I am so delighted for the guys at Little Muddy Me Forest School, who finally secured planning for their new site at Bray Lake.

I love the concept of the Forest School and the ethos of Vicki and her team for pre-school age children to enjoy and learn about the natural environment. Gaining Planning Approval was not as straight forward as it should have been as the Planning Officers had no prior experience of this type of school to base their decision on. However, after a long wait the school can now confirm a place for all the children on their waiting list.

For more information on this amazing school, see Little Muddy Me Pre-School – Where Learning Comes Naturally (muddyme-preschool.co.uk)

Chartered status

Lockdown has provided me with yet another positive as it’s allowed me to focus and submit my application to the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT). I’m pleased to announce I’ve passed all stages and am now officially a Chartered Architectural Technologist MCIAT!

Best of Houzz 2021

Borthwick Design & Management has been voted as a winner of the Best of Houzz 2021 award in customer service and the most glowing reviews!

Draughty Home

Currently looking to find a workable floor plan for a couple who have been living on a building site for the past 4 years. They have been knocking down walls and changing direction, but have now engaged my services.

Interesting project! Time for them to have a warmer winter!

Home working

As home working and schooling sets to continue, a dedicated work space makes more sense.  This doesn’t have to big or take up a lot of space and can be easily and cheaply constructed.

It is important to separate home and work / school life which is not always easy but if you have a little used room or a corner of a room you could dedicate to make as workspace.  It doesn’t have to be big in these times of cloud computing, but it will help define work and leisure space.

This example has been set up as a home school space in a small room using a kitchen worktop which is fairly inexpensive and simple to install.  Once life returns to normal the area can be removed or repurposed as either a study or dressing table.

Now on Houzz

Borthwick Design and Management is now listed on Houzz which is great resource for anybody planning a home project.

 

With photos to providing some fantastic ideas and case studies, to links helping to find professionals or suppliers in your own area, plus products and even advice.

Click on the image to head over to Houzz now.

 

Covid-19 May update

For the safety of my clients and my own family, I have yet to restart home surveys.  However, I’m formulating a plan to get these booked in and conducted in a safe manor.

The lockdown is affecting existing planning applications as Planning Officers are drafted into alternative supporting roles. 

During the past weeks I have only surveyed vacant properties, made necessary site visits with suitable social distancing but I have undertaken numerous Teams video calls with potential clients.  These video calls will be invaluable for many businesses going forward but during this time has allowed me to discuss clients projects and offer some advice and provide a quotation for services.

Although its not quite business as usual, along with many others, I’ve been kept busy with home schooling, self development training including reviewing new technologies.

Plans to return to normal service are underway, ensuring priority for existing clients and projects.