CBO ARCHITECTS

If your intention is to convert a garage into a separate house (regardless of who will occupy it), then planning permission may be required no matter what work is involved. The proposals should go through the planning process to ensure that any work you do is lawful and correctly permissioned.

The first and most important is the internal height of the existing loft, from the top of the ceiling joist to underneath the ridgeboard in the apex.”

Please find below some guide lines to be considered for Loft Conversion Project:

1) Planning permission is not normally required. However, permission is required where you extend or alter the roof space and it exceeds specified limits and
conditions.

2) A loft conversion for your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following
limits and conditions:

a) A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses*
b) A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space for detached and semi-detached houses*
c) No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway
d) No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof
e) Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house
No verandas, balconies or raised platforms
Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor
Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas**
Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the original eaves
The roof enlargement cannot overhang the outer face of the wall of the original house.

First Initial briefing with the Client where I will get as much information regarding , expectation , needs, timing , costs.
Than there will be a Fee proposal with break down description of all services offered and related fee. the Client will be in charge to decide for which step want e to assist him .
Once the Fee and related stages will be agreed I will move forward to arrange a site survey which will end with the re-production of existing Building and it will be the starting point for the Proposed alteration . All will be supported by M&E Investigation and photographic report ( if necessary).
Other Consultant maybe will be needed in case of structural alterations or Party Wall Award.
Once the Design will be signed off we will be in the position to proceed with Planning Submission ( if required).
Than ( If required) there will be Tender package production where the design will be developed in more details with all necessary information to go to selected Contractors for Quotation.
Once he Tender will be returned I will assist the Client to check the offer and in case clarify issues before move forward.
I will assist ( if required) the Client through the Construction stage as well.

The interior design must be an expression of the people living the space. As Architect my duty is try to synthesise the Client needs and ambition in a way that they can be reflected in the space they will live in. Flexibility ( specially the city) some times is the key but is very important do not loose character and personality.

The chance to transform something and make it a place with a sort of ID instead of a non-place.
Seeing the potentiality of all spaces interiors, staircase, Building, Lands and figure out in your mind how it can be and make it real.
Writing a novel where the characters will be the Client

The desire of practise and apply my experience to my own project without any middleman. have direct contact with the Client and work directly with them to get the best design for their own space.

The Clients that will decide to have a chat with me will have the chance to see how passionate and at the same time pragmatic an Architect can be.
They will have the chance to see the design they have in their mind become reality .
A chat doesn't cost anything.
Hope to hear from you