Vector buildings is an industrial relic of Bristol’s past Tobacco trade and had been converted in part to office accommodation. The building is a red brick solid walled industrial building with a steel
frame.

project was clearly constrained by the historic fabric of the walls, planned by another designer to provide a high density of residential units to make the development viable. The design involved the
use of internal atrium’s and was also constrained by the internal structural framework. Our task was to navigate the existing structure, design the extended roof whilst providing building
regulation compliance to the approved layouts. This was also balanced against  utilising as much of the historical character of the building in the designs as possible such as the exposed brickwork to give a loft style appearance.

Western Building Consultants were appointed as Architectural Designer for the construction stages, CDM principal designer and party wall consultant to the developer.

Some of the more interesting elements were tackled by creating glass fireproof lobbies within the upper levels of the mezzanine to protect those levels and bring them in line with performance standards.

Western Building had to develop and calculate a solution for natural ventilation and smoke ventilation, where we were able to bring ventilation in at a low level and use actuated windows
within the fire corridor and atrium roof windows to ensure adequate natural ventilation was achieved. This included prescribing a fire panel and control device to each flat linked to the
communal system.

The alterations to create these performance standards also had to be managed against the competing structural engineering requirements for the building and the existing historical features,
to ultimately develop a unique and tailored solution to this building.

Stunning Architectural Barn Conversions in Bath, Wiltshire, Mendips, South Gloucestershire & Surrounding Areas.

Are you looking to get planning permission, Listed Building consent or Project administration for a barn conversion in Bath or the South West?

Western Building consultants have a wealth of knowledge and experience providing comprehensive architectural designs and surveying services for rural barn conversions, in Bath and the South West.

Our conservation experts including chartered architects, surveyors and building engineers can help you design your dream home, Business premises or development. Utilising our key surveying skills we have experience in bringing the most agricultural of barns into usage, including the conversion of more modern barn constructions such as portal framed structures and concrete block buildings.

We have worked on numerous Listed barn conversions and can help navigate the planning and listed building frameworks, to help you achieve the reuse of agricultural buildings.

Do you own an agricultural barn? Traditional stone barn, steel portal frame or concrete? Did you know it may be possible to convert it to upto three dwelling units without full planning? Turning redundant or under utilised agricultural buildings into residential properties can be highly lucrative. Clearly some of these buildings need to be imaginatively revived to use them as dwellings and technical detailing is key to create  sustainable and beautiful homes.

Western Building Consultants have extensive experience from concept to completion with dealing with such structures starting from initial survey and appraisals of the structural stability through to  designing the barns to meet Class Q guidelines, building regulations and administering the project. Often the large spaces and oversized nature of these industrial buildings can create wonderful and unusual dwellings, the scale of which just wouldn’t normally be allowed in a rural residential context.

These planning regulations,  known as ‘Class Q permitted development’ are part of the government’s drive to ease the pressure on rural housing supply.

What are the general constraints?

For Class Q regulations to apply a building needs to  have been used for agriculture on or before 20th March 2013.

(Class Q will not It doesn’t apply to listed buildings, those in an Area of outstanding national beauty, conservation area which are in AONB, National Parks or conservation areas, or those which are listed.

• You cannot extend the footprint of the building.
• Convert existing buildings up to 450sqm.
• You can install or replace windows, doors, the roof, exterior walls, and services.
• Allows for partial demolition.
• You cannot install new foundations.

It is common for applications to be interpreted differently across councils so local knowledge can be key in getting the right decision. Contact us today to to find out more.

Western Building Consultants were appointed as architectural designer to gain planning permission to convert the historic upper floors above the retail space of
Beehive Yard into residential accommodation units. The building is constructed in solid brick and steel portal frame and is a former industrial Tramshed.
The existing frame layout and fenestration presented a number of challenges to the finalised layouts and the finalised flats had to be refined to create a workable
solution.

Western Building Consultants have designed numerous new build properties for homeowners, self builders and developers in Bath, Bristol & beyond.

As well as designing heritage based projects we have a wide portfolio of architectural designs for contemporary new build dwellings in the South West. We are happy to design your project in any architectural style you request and tailor our designs based on the clients requirements and the site’s constraints. we have vast experience in also extending terraces or developing corner plots.

If you are looking for a contemporary architectural design for your new dwelling Western Building Consultants can take you through the Planning  process in BANES or any other local councils such as South Gloucestershire or Wiltshire. We are also experts in the sign off at Building Regulation stages of a project to ensure that your property meets compliance standards. with our 1-2-3 step approach western makes making your dream project come true  as easy as possible.

We often carry out master planning for  larger sites near Bath, and can carry out initial development appraisals, or feasibility studies.

We often recommend carrying out a pre-application submission to BANES or other councils to help your project get your project off to the best start.

As a Chartered Architectural Technology practice we aim to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to architectural design. We tackle each project individually and have experience in both commercial and residential projects throughout the South West including Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Bradford-on-Avon, Frome, Clifton, Newport, Wiltshire and surrounding areas.

Our team of skilled design professionals include several architectural technologists, architects, chartered surveyors and energy assessors. In stark contrast to most architects practices, we can offer you a comprehensive service where most services can be handled in house throughout the project instead of appointing outside consultants, saving you time money and frustration.

We provide a distinctly different approach to many other architects and surveyors, utilising our unique multi-disciplinary approach we are able to offer our clients a broad range of services throughout their project such as: Initial scheme designs for planning applications, feasibility studies, Listed building applications, building regulations packages and specifications, planning coordination, condition sign off and 3d modelling. Our company has been in existence for over fifteen years, and our staff have a combined construction experience that exceeds a century.

As a householder you may feel intimidated by the prospect of a construction project. Our team are here to guide you through every step of the process and provide the support and reassurance you need.

Using our skill and multi disciplinary approach we can take you every step of the way from concept to completion ensuring our services are perfectly tailored to your project.

Please take the time to review what services we can provide

Stunning Rural New Builds, Architectural Designs in Bath, Wiltshire, Mendips, South Gloucestershire & Surrounding Areas.

Are you looking to get planning permission, for new build dwellings in bath or the surrounding area?

Western Building Consultants Architects, Surveyors and Technologists have a wealth of knowledge and experience providing  comprehensive architectural  designs and surveying services for home owners and developers, in Bath and the South West.

Our design team include experts including chartered architects, surveyors, interior designers and building engineers can help you design your dream home or development.

If your plot of land is in a rural location we have vast experience in designing properties in a heritage style or agricultural aesthetic. Including the use of Oak Framed Buildings.