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
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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.
Online Consultations
During these unprecedented times, many of us are now working from home which may mean finding a quiet dedicated work place, juggling home schooling, completing basic chores and trying to find some separate relaxation space. Not easy without the outdoor freedom of movement we’ve all become accustomed to.
If you are anything like me, extended time at home usually highlights maintenance needing attention or dreaming up changes and improvements. Or perhaps while working from home, you are thinking this could work for you long term if you had a dedicated space to do so.
Obviously with the current restrictions, talking to a professional about what changes or alterations could be made is tricky, but given a bit of clever technology and some lateral thinking, perhaps these meeting could still take place? Over the next few weeks, I’ll be trialling initial meetings with potential clients on-line. Its not quite the same as a face to face meeting, but perhaps its enough to get the ball rolling on the project you promised yourself.
If you would like to chat about your home project and have access to a device with a camera, please get in touch.
mark@b-dbm.co.uk / 07971177573 / 01189696857
Covid-19 update
During this unprecedented time in our lives, the safety of our clients is our priority. Therefore we will not be undertaking any consultations or surveys until further notice.
However, if you wish to discuss a project or some ideas you may have to improve or extend your home, we are happy to still offer a free consultation over the phone, email or by video call on-line.
Although our preference for an initial meeting would be face to face, the current situation requires a little creative flexibility.
If you wish to discuss a project or idea, please get in touch.
Meanwhile, please stay safe and for your own protection and the safety of others, please stay home.
