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rixonarchitects

Multi Award winning Cirencester based Architects

Once pre-app advice has been provided, we collate Once pre-app advice has been provided, we collate the documents required for the planning application. Aside from the drawings and documents required by us, this also often involves various reports from others - such as Planning Consultants, Heritage Consultants, Ecologists, Arboroculturalists, Structural Engineers, Landscape Designers, Archaeologists etc. We have our ’black book’ of local companies that we really like working with, and introduce them to the project as required.

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The purpose of this next stage is to progress the The purpose of this next stage is to progress the planning consented scheme to sufficient detail to then enable builders to provide a reliable price to build the project…

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The team grows further at this stage - we introduc The team grows further at this stage - we introduce structural engineers, landscape designers, kitchen designers, interior designers, renewables designers, lighting designers, door/window manufacturers, flooring suppliers and more! Sometimes we will also introduce contractors to the project at this stage - due the nature of heritage projects, a good proportion of our projects are not on a fixed price, so introducing a trusted contractor can be an advantage at this stage.

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In this initial stage there’s lots of iterative sk In this initial stage there’s lots of iterative sketching with the client, refining the design until it’s just right!

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The planning stage develops the concept design at The planning stage develops the concept design at stage one, towards (hopefully!) achieving planning consent. We often model the project with 3D digital models, increasingly in VR also (and sometimes 2D physical ones too!)

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Most of our projects require engaging with the loc Most of our projects require engaging with the local authority for pre-application advice. If a project attracts any sort of opinion or controversy (which most of ours seem to!), pre-apps are pretty essential these days. The are also good income generators for local authorities. While they have their flaws, they are useful for engaging with the conservation officer and progressing the design with them.

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Many of our clients are inexperienced at large bui Many of our clients are inexperienced at large building projects, so we lead the project from the first conversations, moulding the project to the clients preferred way of working as we go through the different stages.

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Feasibility / Concept …This first stage is designe Feasibility / Concept …This first stage is designed to answer the big problems of the project - the big idea, aesthetic ideas internally and externally, layout and flow, ensuring it covers everything our client needs.

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We wanted to spend a little bit of time explaining We wanted to spend a little bit of time explaining the typical stages of any project. We split these into four basic stages: 1 Feasibility/Concept Design, 2 Planning, 3 Tender and 4 Construction. Over the next few weeks, we thought we would share one stage at a time and outline what is involved and what the objectives are…During the first stage, we get to know the site and more importantly, get to know the people who will use the building. 

We help our client develop the brief by setting them homework. We also see it as our job to challenge any assumptions and help our client to develop their hierarchy of needs. 

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Allow the design to evolve Here is the final quota Allow the design to evolve
Here is the final quotation we often use with our clients. We recommend this to clients at all stages of a project - especially once on site. We are practised is imagining space, and its functionality. Often our clients are trusting us, so the first time they have the chance to fee the space is once construction has started. We encourage our clients to take the time to walk the project in detail - light switches, light fittings, door swings, furniture layouts. There are always minor tweaks during construction, catching them early and being open minded a can mean it doesn’t cost any more to get it just right.

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On the topic of details, we really like mixing up On the topic of details, we really like mixing up materials, think grainy oak meeting Cotswold stone or the contrast of cold concrete against the warmth of reclaimed wood.  It’s those layers of texture that turn a house into a home with character and soul.

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Aim to hit or aim to miss Here’s the penultimate q Aim to hit or aim to miss
Here’s the penultimate quotation we frequently use with clients. This is more a detail point - the junctions where different materials meet are where the problems can happen. Two materials misaligning by a small amount can really catch the eye. If they can’t exactly align, to the mm, it’s often better to offset them. In detail terms, this might mean just 10mm, but zoomed out this might mean offsetting doors rather than trying to line them up with a focal point in a landscape, for example.

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Finally, our Caribbean projects have been super bu Finally, our Caribbean projects have been super busy the last few months, and Jonathan has been visiting many of them them this last week - you might have caught his impromptu stories! We are progressing phase two of a beach house we completed a few years ago, plus developing our masterplan for new sea facing villas on a stunning peninsular. We really enjoy the contrast of our Cotswold work with our Caribbean work, it keeps it all interesting!

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We are also going to visit more potential projects We are also going to visit more potential projects, which is always fun and exciting - you never know what might walk through the doors of the studio. This includes a couple we can’t really talk about, but hopefully will be able to one day! This ‘rush’ usually happens in March time, uncertainty around global politics has knocked confidence, resulting in delayed project starts. 

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There are early signs of confidence returning to t There are early signs of confidence returning to the industry, which we expect will be music to contractors ears. We are finding building contractors are typically quieter than they might like at the moment, but we have been busy preparing various projects to go out for pricing by contractors, so we’re hoping we can help fill their order books! 

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We’re big fans of “low maintenance, high-reward” l We’re big fans of “low maintenance, high-reward” landscaping, so when you are thinking about future proofing your outdoor space you might want to consider swapping steep steps for gentle slopes and choosing plants that practically look after themselves, we make sure your garden stays a source of peace, not a to-do list. After all, you’ve worked hard enough, it’s time your garden did the heavy lifting for you!

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When thinking about family gardens, we’d suggest l When thinking about family gardens, we’d suggest looking for that perfect balance of open spaces for the kids to run wild, and a beautiful terrace where the grown-ups can relax and enjoy a cold glass of something nice in the sun! From the messy mud kitchens to the ultimate Sunday afternoon BBQ, our garden is where some of the best family memories are staged.  Designing a great outdoor space is one that grows with you, durable enough for a football match, but elegant enough for a multi-generational family lunch. When the landscaping works for everyone, it’s an enjoyable experience for all.

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We always consider how a building sits in its land We always consider how a building sits in its landscape - the relationship between all of the rooms and the landscape they look onto. We really enjoy working with garden designers during the design stages to make sure the design is thought through together..

As many of us are starting to use our outdoor spaces more.  If you are thinking of re-designing your outdoor space this year,  an essential part of this process means thinking ahead into the future, how will that oak look in a decade? how will the terrace weather? It’s a bit like slow-motion architecture, and we love including outdoor spaces as part of our design process.

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Often the properties need to be ‘lock and leave’, Often the properties need to be ‘lock and leave’, without large gardens requiring lots of maintenance - preferring borrowed views across the countryside! Finally, high quality home offices are popular - so weekends can be extended from Friday to Monday - not the box room upstairs, but a luxury space with views out across the Cotswold Hills.

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If a client has come to us, it is likely to be a p If a client has come to us, it is likely to be a project property. Budget placement would differ from a first home - often the comfort levels are higher - this is often more like a hotel than a home. Likely less emphasis on quanitity of bedrooms, more on the quality of them - sometimes also incorporating air conditioning and luxury bathrooms.

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