expert advice Archives - David Nossiter Architects

Eco Surveys

What are eco surveys and when would you require one? It is common for planning authorities to require eco surveys as part of an application, particularly in rural areas. Everyone knows that Great Crested Newts, one of three species of Newt in the UK, are highly protected. They don’t always realise that badger sets, bat roosts, nesting […]

Barn Conversions: What Factors Can Influence Cost?

Homebuilding & Renovating magazine asked me to contribute to an article about factors that influence the cost of a barn conversion. Converting a barn into a residential property is an exciting venture, but it is essential to understand the various factors that can influence the overall cost. What factors influence the cost of a barn conversion? Along […]

New Class Q Rules

The revised rules on Permitted Development for barn conversions, commonly called Class Q, came into effect in May 2024 The rules for converting agricultural buildings under Permitted Development (commonly called Class Q) were updated last year. This will impact on many considering undertaking a barn conversion. However, there is a grace period during the transition […]

Grand Designs: A Guide to Converting Barns

I was commissioned by Grand Designs magazine to write an expert guide to converting barns “Looking up at the huge trusses of an ancient barn while enjoying the benefits of open-plan living is a covetable combination of historical character and modern convenience that many of us dream of.” Grand Designs Magazine Converting barns is a […]

Material Contrasts at Church Hill Barn

Raw agricultural finishes of knotted, roughly hewn timber, stained weatherboarding and locally fired red brick, contrast with new interventions at Church Hill Barn, a Listed barn conversion in Suffolk Care was taken to ensure that the agricultural character of the spaces remained, while introducing juxtapositions of new interventions. The result adds to the richness of the […]

Define the Brief

Clients should aim to define the key points of their brief at the outset of any project Establishing these elements early on ensures a clear design scope and helps guide the design process effectively. The brief may take many forms, depending on the specific requirements and preferences of the client. For example it might include: A detailed […]

Why consider my feasibility service before embarking on your barn conversion?

Why consider my feasibility service before embarking on your barn conversion? I love exploring the possibility of potential sites and testing the feasibility of proposals. Balancing adaptability and risk against potential, is essential in deciding whether to pursue a development site. As well as exploring the potential of a project, it is important to discover […]

5 Barn Conversion Design Hints

5 barn conversion design hints. Consider these pointers before embarking on your barn conversion. My top five design hints for those embarking on a barn conversion: 1. Use the existing spaces as far as possible. Older barns often have some form of statutory protection such as listing in place, so you may have no choice but to work […]

Keep control of costs on a build

Converting Barns: Listed Church Hill Barn before conversion

In order to keep control of costs on a build I always encourage clients to either have a cost plan prepared by a cost consultant, or on smaller projects to undertake a simple cost plan themselves. Plan your costs at the outset. A useful exercise is to itemise all of the main elements and then […]

Why use a registered architect?

It takes a minimum of seven years before someone can register to use the title architect in the UK. The traditional route to qualification is in three parts: 3 years undergraduate degree (Part 1). 1 year of practical experience in an architect’s studio (commonly called ‘year out’ part 1). 2 years of post-graduate university study (Part 2). 1 year […]

Study Context

If I was to offer a single piece of design advice, it is that the context of the site should inform every decision in the design. Context will govern the orientation, configuration and approach to the dwelling. It will inform where rooms are situated, the sequence of spaces and the location of windows and doorways. When […]

Barn to convert or New Build House? The Role of Site Analysis Explained

Site analysis sounds self explanatory, but whether new build house, barn conversion or renovation, how does this inform a design? What should be analysed? One of the most important lessons for architecture students is to study the site. ‘What about the context?’, is a consistent comment imparted by architecture tutors to their students, but what […]

Barn Conversions, Renovations & Self Builds : Identifying Site Potential.

In the last blog post I discussed surveys. In this post I have turned my attention to exploring the potential of a site. Before diving in with design proposals there is desktop research that needs to be undertaken. The depth of this research will depend on the site and the scope of the project. For […]

The Importance of Surveys

Before starting on any renovation, new build or barn conversion project you will need to gather as much site information as you are able to. Increasingly, planning authorities also require different kinds of impact assessments to accompany applications. Both aspects involve commissioning surveys. Below is a simple guide to some of the more routine surveys […]