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rixonarchitects

Multi Award winning Cirencester based Architects

But the real MVPs this week? Jonathan’s Mum and But the real MVPs this week? Jonathan’s Mum and Dad! They’ve swapped their Sunday best for safety vests and are helping us get everything ready for the big reveal. Seriously, best site crew ever!

We’re tidying up the last few bits ready to welcome you all for the Cirencester History Festival next weekend. Come say hello! 👋

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#cotswoldliving #thecotswolds #amazinghomes #architectureanddesign #cotswoldstyle #houseandgardenuk #homesandinteriors #historicrestorations #brunelbuildings #cirencester #cirenhistoryfest
The building works are in full swing and it’s ab The building works are in full swing and it’s absolute glorious chaos over here! From the final wiring twists by the electricians to the plumbing maze and mountains of plaster from our amazing team, it’s been a marathon sprint to get ready.

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Another favourite project is our clients family ‘ Cotswold Passive House’ 

Our clients found a two bedroom property which needed a large extension to make it habitable for their family of five.  We designed a single-storey, high vaulted-ceiling kitchen space to maximise the downstairs living space which adjoined the two-storey main house.

The feature staircase leading up to the large picture window, to maximise their views.  Four of the bedrooms on the first floor, with a fifth bedroom and shower room on the ground floor. 

Our clients were mindful that they not only wanted their home to look great but it needed to function well too, for a busy family life with young children. 

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#cotswoldliving #thecotswolds #amazinghomes #architectureanddesign #cotswoldstyle #houseandgardenuk #homesandinteriors
We loved the challenge of this project….A beauti We loved the challenge of this project….A beautiful Lakeside property which our clients appointed us to reconfigure,extend and totally refurbish!

With no mains gas on the Lower Mill Cotswold Estate, we installed an air source heat pump which heats the pool in the summer and the house in the winter. 

All of this took place under COVID restrictions, working remotely with our clients and their talented Interior Designers, we were all delighted with the finished results. 

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We have been flat out with exciting new projects a We have been flat out with exciting new projects and organising events we have coming up in partnership with the Cirencester History Festival. To celebrate surviving the week! we decided to hit ‘pause’ and we’ll be sharing some of our favourite projects to date….

Our clients owned this beautiful Cotswold bolthole.  So when the property next door came on the market - they bought it! and we were thrilled to be appointed to help them realise the full potential of the project.

3 years in planning, which was eventually won at Planning Appeal, we think it was worth the wait! Once beloved of Henry Ford, we think he too would approve of this wonderful transformation.

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On a macro level we are finding some projects are On a macro level we are finding some projects are on pause, awaiting the Budget later this year. Our clients are unsure if funds will be available for the project, or if changes to national economics mean the projects are shelved indefinitely. Fingers crossed on this one..

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Works to our new offices at the Old Station are al Works to our new offices at the Old Station are also progressing well, with the aim of welcoming visitors at the end of October for the Cirencester History Festival - plaster is going on the walls, second fix electrics are starting, and historic joinery continues to be restored. 

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RA monthly update This month we have waved Jes of RA monthly update

This month we have waved Jes off on Maternity leave - wishing her the most fabulous time with her baby.  Louisa is now settled back in and Jes has handed over her projects to Louisa to ensure a smooth transition for our clients!

Having spent much of the year very busy with preparing tender packs for our projects, the balance has moved to various early stage projects. During the summer months we had various nocturnal ecological surveys to allow us to submit planning applications over the Autumn. 

We are also super busy at early stages for projects which started over the summer. Most of our projects require seeking Pre-Application Advice prior to submitting a Planning Application. This is a requirement of the various Local Authority Planning Departments to iron out the larger design matters, and in turn smooth the way for the Planning Application.

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As the building is Grade 2 Listed, we submitted a As the building is Grade 2 Listed, we submitted a Listed Building Application to cover various alterations we have needed to make the building viable. We have been working closely with Cotswold District Council Conservation team, to gain consent for various alterations required.

Each day that goes by, we are carefully putting the building back together. This means we are now starting to re-cover many of the damaged external and internal walls which were exposed to repair the water damage, and allow the walls to dry out. We’ve included some lovely imagery here to give you an idea of what is behind the surface!

One detail is the piece of broad gauge track still being used to support a concrete slab - we only realised it was railway track as the wall finishes were water damaged!

But don’t worry, there is so much to do that there will still be plenty of unfinished building to experience for the opening!

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We’re in full on geek mode - sourcing soo many a We’re in full on geek mode - sourcing soo many amazing historic documents about the building and its contribution to Cirencester. Without giving it away, we have sourced drawings, sketches, a plethora of photos, original artifacts.. and some super exciting things we can’t talk about yet!

We’ve even managed to source Brunel original pencil sketches, which will be on display.

For the first 6 months, we focused on sealing the building back up again - water ingress was throughout the building. The summer has been kind to give the building time to dry out - decades of water ingress have penetrated deep into the fabric. 

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Old Station update! Full steam ahead!! Choo choo!! Old Station update!
Full steam ahead!! Choo choo!!

We are in full flow restoring our new headquarters - the Brunel designed former Railway Station in central Cirencester.

For those that don’t know, we will be opening the building to the public as part of the Cirencester History Festival on Saturday 25th October and 1st November between 10am and 4pm. We’ve been working super hard in the background to get the building to a point where we can welcome the public in. 

Link to Cirencester History Festival in our profile.

If you want to know more, you can catch an article in Octobers Cotswold Life - you can sense Jonathan’s excitement!  Huge thanks to 
@cotswoldlife 

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post planning stages… As the project moves thro post planning stages…

As the project moves through the stages, the project team will inevitably grow. This will likely include other designers such as garden designers or interior designers, but also key suppliers. We send our clients to various showrooms or reclamation yards in search of fittings and finishes - kitchens to bathrooms, tiles to floor finishes.

Almost certainly there are also engineers - structural engineer, mechanical and renewables engineer, possibly specialist heritage crafts people. 

Then there’s the many manufacturers of building materials, and ensuring the details of these many manufactured items work together.

As the project moves towards construction, the team grows again. We will introduce potential Contractors to the project, and encourage fellow creative collaborators, specialist crafts people and subcontractors. So the list goes on!!

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Pre planning stages… Clients look to us to star Pre planning stages…

Clients look to us to start their project in the most effective way for them - which varies from project to project.

We are the first to admit we are only architects, and knowing when to bring in specialists is core to our process. 

At the start of a typical heritage project, for example, we would need: a measured surveyor to measure the building (and surrounding landscape) for us, a heritage consultant to analyse the property’s history, a structural engineer to identify failing elements of structure, ecologists to search for bats… etc! 

If it’s a new build, we would likely need a slightly different team at the start of a project - a measured topographical survey, a Planning consultant, an ecologist, maybe a geotechnical survey, and maybe a landscape designer.

Pre purchase - we are often involved in appraising properties for clients - to derisk a  potential purchase. We would also normally involve other trusted consultants to help in this process - often planning consultants and heritage consultants. 

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When does the team grow? We’re often asked at t When does the team grow?

We’re often asked at the start of projects whether we know particular specialists - the answer is of course yes! Whomever we need for any particular part of a project, we are highly likely to have in our existing network of collaborators. If we don’t know someone, we know someone who does! 

We also know it has taken years to create a great ‘black book’ of contacts that we’re really proud of, and how much value there is in forming a great team throughout a project. So, and it might sound a bit harsh, we also hold back on delivering it until we’ve been commissioned on a project - we all have a living to make!

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While natural light is paramount, the power of wel While natural light is paramount, the power of well-designed artificial lighting cannot be underestimated, especially during seasons where natural light is limited.
If we layer different types of lighting to create both functional and beautiful spaces, we can include….
    •    Task Lighting: Bright, focused light for activities like reading, cooking, or working – essential for clarity and reducing eye strain.
    •    Mood Lighting: Softer, ambient light that sets the atmosphere, creating warmth, coziness, or drama. This is where dimmers and strategic placement truly shine.
Combining these elements intelligently ensures your home is perfectly lit for every moment and mood, day or night.

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Let’s talk about a game-changer -rooflights…. Let’s talk about a game-changer -rooflights….
These can be a brilliant solution for bringing light deep into a property, especially in areas where traditional windows aren’t an option. Think of dark hallways, stairwells, or the middle of a deep floor plan.
A strategically placed rooflight can dramatically brighten a space, bringing in up to three times more light than a vertical window of the same size.  They can also create a sense of height and openness, drawing our eyes upward, making a room feel larger and more expansive
Light from above creates beautiful, dynamic shadows that change throughout the day, adding life and character to your home.

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As the days grow shorter and evenings draw in, we’re all feeling the shift in light.  Understanding and harnessing light – both natural and artificial – is fundamental to creating spaces that truly enhance well-being.  
While a grand expanse of glass might seem appealing, it can often lead to challenges like overheating and glare. Our approach focuses on strategic placement and thoughtful design to maximize the benefits of daylight without the downsides.
Consider the power of dual or even triple aspect lighting! By allowing light to enter from multiple directions, we can achieve a more even, softer, and dynamic wash of natural illumination throughout the day. This reduces the need for artificial light, connects you more deeply with the outdoors, and can significantly improve the atmosphere and comfort of your home.
It’s not just about how much light, but how it moves and interacts with your space. We’ll share our ideas on lighting and show you how intelligent lighting design can transform your home.

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We also have some lovely projects on site, working We also have some lovely projects on site, working with Contractors to deliver the designs as hoped - it’s so rewarding watching clients experience the spaces for the first time. We appreciate there is a lot of trust placed in our minds eyes as Architects,  it’s always exciting seeing the projects finally come to life.

Some of you may have seen more and more craftspeople working on The Old Station. 

The craftspeople have been enjoying making bespoke elements on display on the platform, much to the enjoyment of passers by in the car park. It’s most probably the most the platform has been used since the station closed in 1965!

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Being a long time Radiohead and Stanley Donwood fa Being a long time Radiohead and Stanley Donwood fan, Jonathan made a visit to see the exhibition showing the creative collaboration between the two - it’s on at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, and we would highly recommend a visit. 

This exhibition also provided some great ideas for our upcoming Exhibition chronicling the history of our new studios, The Old Station in Cirencester. For those interested, check out Cirencester History Festival and our IG account for the building: @oldstationworks. 

Jonathan was interviewed by the podcaster Joff Elphick, who is in charge of the Listening Project for the Old Station - another fascinating facet of the event.

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RA August update Summer holidays have been in ful RA August update

Summer holidays have been in full flow, which is both fun and challenging! It’s always tricky moving projects forward during the holidays while we all have well deserved family time, but we muddle through!

Louisa is back!! Our Architect Louisa is now back at the practice after maternity leave, and we’re all pleased about, including Jonathan who is most excited about sharing some workload!! Those working with us might well see Louisa being introduced to projects, helping them run smoothly.

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