Design & Build Therapy
Episode 02: Help! How to look at my existing spaces and assess/understand what I have? I have no idea what condition my house is in and I don’t know what problems I am potentially facing.
In this second episode, Lizzie and Joe discuss how by learning to understand your existing building and spaces you can become better equipped with finding solutions to your spatial problems. These can be split into two categories of assessment; practical and emotional. They also discuss how to maximise light if you are undertaking a bungalow extension.
Practical steps to consider:
Emotional perspective:
Practical steps to consider:
- Measured or structural surveys including asbestos surveys for properties built before 1990.
- Checking for receipts/records of previous works on your property.
- Speak with your neighbours!
- The potential gains from ‘opening up works’ on site.
- Hear Joe’s Top 5 issues that occur with renovation works.
Emotional perspective:
- Determining the character of your space.
- How living in the space before renovation will help you to understand it better.
- Do you really need that extension or are there better ways to maximise the space you already have?
- Be clear on what works with your space as well as what doesn’t.
- Pay attention to the sun!
Home work:
Using the points raised above try to diagnose what you really have in a space - don’t think about the solutions, just what is actually there?
Prioritise the elements that are most important to you for your project.
Compare lists with your partner (or whoever else you share the space with, children included!) to see how similar/different your thoughts about the space are.
Quick Tips:
Research whether your council has a Fast-track planning application process. In certain London boroughs this can narrow planning application time from around 9 months to 1 week.
Your local council planning portal should hold information on all applications submitted on your street/ in your area and their success, this can be invaluable when submitting your own application.
Using the points raised above try to diagnose what you really have in a space - don’t think about the solutions, just what is actually there?
Prioritise the elements that are most important to you for your project.
Compare lists with your partner (or whoever else you share the space with, children included!) to see how similar/different your thoughts about the space are.
Quick Tips:
Research whether your council has a Fast-track planning application process. In certain London boroughs this can narrow planning application time from around 9 months to 1 week.
Your local council planning portal should hold information on all applications submitted on your street/ in your area and their success, this can be invaluable when submitting your own application.
Links:
PIR - (rigid oil-based insulation) - www.kingspan.com/us/en/products/rigid-insulation/
Pavatex (wood fibre insulation) - www.soprema.co.uk/en/gamme/insulation/pavatex
Multifoil insulation - www.insulationsuperstore.co.uk/browse/in…tion.html
Video consultations with Lizzie - ffconsultations.myshopify.com/
Fraher & Findlay instagram - www.instagram.com/fraherandfindlay
Lizzie Fraher instagram - www.instagram.com/lizziefraherarchitect
PIR - (rigid oil-based insulation) - www.kingspan.com/us/en/products/rigid-insulation/
Pavatex (wood fibre insulation) - www.soprema.co.uk/en/gamme/insulation/pavatex
Multifoil insulation - www.insulationsuperstore.co.uk/browse/in…tion.html
Video consultations with Lizzie - ffconsultations.myshopify.com/
Fraher & Findlay instagram - www.instagram.com/fraherandfindlay
Lizzie Fraher instagram - www.instagram.com/lizziefraherarchitect
Upcoming in Podcast 3: - How do I find a builder I can trust, and other stories.
If you are thinking of starting a project, please do not hesitate to contact us in the studio: hello@fraherandfindlay.com