Kirk Architects
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(1)
I am a qualified architect and have worked in the profession for 40 years. having trained as a Technician, I then went on to study at GSA - Glasgow School of Art. I started my practice 20 years ago and at its height I had 6 staff working on specialised projects across the UK in the Leisure Industry as well as major Residential, Commercial and Licensed projects.
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1 customer review
Paul
Property Extensions
Very efficient and helpful . Good sound advice given to me and the wife
How can someone tell if their Garage is suitable for conversion?
Most integral garages are able to be converted to habitable living accommodation without Planning consent.
Look at the difference in floor level between the concrete garage floor and the house floor. Also check the height of the ceiling within the garage. Ideally the difference between the garage floor and house floor should be a min of 2.4m, although lower ceilings are also acceptable. Also look at the frame of the garage door and the head of the front door and windows.
Run us through the different stages of the Garage conversion process - what's involved?
Planning not required on integral garage conversions, however, a building warrant is.
Visit client, discuss ideas and access point to new habitable room. Check heights and wall widths. Confirm age of building. Older properties need more insulation to comply with regulations. Survey the ground floor of house and affected external elevations. Download OS map from website. Prepare existing plans and elevations with downtakings + photos to assist Council. Calculate U Values for heat loss of the floor, wall and ceiling. Prepare proposed versions of the plans and elevations suitable for a Building Warrant to be granted and a Builder to provide accurate costs. This also involves the preparation of a specification confirming scope of works and material details.
What do you love most about your job?
Getting it right!
I treat each drawing as a work of art, Easy to understand and negotiate, even for people who are not used to looking at building plans. I like it when the builders are clear on what they doing.
What inspired you to start your own business?
My own time and family commitments has allowed me to attend the school play, nursery graduations, take and collect the kids to school and other activities, without having to ask "Permission". I have loved working for myself for over 20 years so far.
Why should our clients choose you?
Like all clients, they are looking for understanding on how they live, how the building should be flexible and meet variable needs for the family in the future. An extension is not just a room for today, a house has to be adaptable to meet the changing needs of a family. A room can suit the needs of a playroom, then a homework study, then a chill / tv room for the computer games and the mates round at night for a coffee etc. Design is not just for today, it has to last! Thought put in at this stage will be well worth it in the future.
