Let's work together

Let’s work together

“Calm and consistent, positive and patient” “ I picked them because they understand what it takes to make a really good building. They understand their business, they are up to date and they do what they say they will do.

They are, in my experience, completely reliable. As a client, I have found them to be calm and consistent, positive and patient, and a pleasure to work with.”

– Graham, The Farmhouse

B

Our buildings are thoughtful, joyful and timeless (and so are we)

Architecture should make you feel good. That’s the belief that runs through our work, through our conversations, and through the life of our studio. Talk to any one of us, and you’ll find we all share that same sense of commitment and that same strength of feeling.

If you’re excited about what a good building could do for you, we’d love to talk. On the other hand, if you’re not too bothered about what your building will look like or how it will make you feel, then we’re probably not the architects for you.

To give you a sense of how we can help you and what drives us, we’ve captured our thoughts, feelings and skills in six different stories about our work.

Contents New homes 3 Sensitive development 6 Refurbishments and extensions 8 Heritage and conservation 12 Interior architecture 14 Everything else 16 Our working method 18 Ready to get started? 20

So, who are George and James?

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1

Our guiding values Design and make buildings that we are proud of

Listen intently to our clients

Be passionate about architecture

Create happy and healthy environments to improve wellbeing

Develop open and honest relationships through clear communication Build an inclusive and positive team with a family spirit Be open-minded and creative in everything that we do

Care about the detail

Promote a strong work / life balance and have fun!

Approach every project with open eyes and ears, with honesty, curiosity and care

Evaluate, learn and be better

Collaborate, because design is a team game

New homes Designing for a perfect fit

We all know what it feels like to live in

Admittedly, new homes don’t have a

a place to gather strength, a place to

a home that’s not quite right. You feel

great reputation. We see far too many

come together, and the most cherished

as if you’re squeezing your life – and

off-the-peg developments that don’t

investment you ever make. It could be

your family’s – into a space that wasn’t

exactly inspire us with a vision for a

the constant in all your lives, always

built for you.

better way of living. They all look the

there to welcome you – but adapting as

same, they’re built with no regard for

your relationships change, as your family

Each household task feels more

the place or the wider landscape, and

grows, and as you move through life.

complicated than it needs to be. The

they’re certainly not built around you.

For us, a new home is a chance to

layout frustrates you at every step. With poor ventilation and lack of natural

It doesn’t have to be like that, and we’d

make a difference, not on the wider

light, the spaces do nothing to improve

love the opportunity to prove it to you.

stage but in a far more personal

your mood. And there’s friction in the

Get it right, and your new home could

way. There’s the joy of our unfolding

very act of living. But a new home can

be transformative. It could give you the

conversation with you, the excitement

change all that.

sanctuary you’ve been craving, become

of the creative possibilities, the

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freedom of a clean slate, and the anticipation of the most worthwhile of transformations.

But there’s rigour and precision behind our confidence and positivity, and the

Get it right, and your new home could be transformative

questions come thick and fast. Do you kick your shoes off the moment

spaces that work not just for the way

in, and good to the touch. It’s easy to

you come in the door? Do you need

you are now but the way you’ll be in the

underestimate the countless times in

somewhere to put the shopping down?

future. We’re also interior obsessives

a day that we grasp a door handle,

Do you go out for long walks and find

who want to make sure everything

hold a handrail, or just lean against a

yourself – and the dog – bringing mud

has its rightful place. Storage – for the

wall. Let’s make every one of those

into the house? Do you love nothing

things you love as well as the things

touchpoints a moment to enjoy. It’s

more than a cool drink sat in the glow

you need – should be so much more

about looking good too, and we don’t

of the late-afternoon sun?

than just an afterthought. And if you’ve

mean that in a superficial way. ‘Have

always yearned for a grand piano but

nothing in your house that you do not

All these little details allow us to plot

never had the space (or the acoustics)

know to be useful or believe to be

your routes through a typical day and

for it, now’s the time to change that.

beautiful,’ said William Morris – and we think this applies to your house itself as

begin to imagine a home that fits you

much as what you fill it with.

perfectly. And while we’re thinking

Along with functionality, we’re thinking

about your journey through your home,

about beauty. Let’s not forget that

we’re also thinking about the right mix

thoughtfully chosen materials and

In our eyes, every new home is a

of spaces – spaces that allow retreat,

well-honed craftsmanship are at the

chance to enhance the landscape that

spaces that foster togetherness,

heart of a home that feels good to be

surrounds us. As architects working

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at the heart of the beautiful South

gardens which wrap around the house,

Downs, it’s something we take very

rooting it in the landscape. And, at

seriously. We see the planning process

The Meads in Eastbourne, the house

– whether here or further afield – not

is centred on an internal courtyard,

as an obstacle in our path, but as a

for privacy, retreat and sanctuary. But

call to create something truly worthy

your house will, of course, be different.

of the earth it stands on. And every

Perhaps a far-off horizon draws the

site has its own promise, waiting to

eye or a rolling landscape is waiting

be made true. In our Herefordshire

to be let in. Whatever it is that makes

Farmhouse, that promise is about the

your place special, we’ll be alert to the

relationship with the heritage orchards

possibilities.

that surround it and views across the

THE FARMHOUSE A characterful family home amongst the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park.

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pretend to know it all, and we know

lakes and farm. At The Farmhouse, it

So far we’ve focused on the very

we never will. But we have a network

led us to the arrangement of courtyard

bespoke nature of what we do. But,

of experts to call on, all of whom

whoever and wherever you are, there’s

share our ambitions and our values.

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one thing that doesn’t change – and that’s the need to build a home that

Just like the homes of the past which

will keep you cool in summer, warm

we still love today, the best new

in winter, and use as little energy as

homes are of their time yet built to

possible in the process. It’s much

last, untouched by fleeting trends or

more than just a question of filling the

short-term thinking. Let’s cast our

walls and roof with insulation. It means

minds forward one-hundred years

thinking about the way the house faces,

from now and see a home with a

about the materials that go into making

history. Let’s see a home which has

it, and about harnessing the very best –

been much lived in and much loved,

and very latest – technology. We don’t

by you and by future generations.

5

Sensitive development Focusing on people and community

Not everyone wants to live in an identikit house on a generic street in a characterless town. But that seems to be the way our country’s going. The volume housebuilders – you’ll know who we mean – have given developers a bad name. Their cookie-cutter, one-sizefits-all developments aren’t driven by a sense of place, people or community.

They’re driven by quick profits, the interests of scale, and the pockets of their shareholders. We’re not against development per se, because we know people need houses. And development hasn’t always been like this. Our best cities, towns and villages have evolved organically – or thoughtfully – over centuries, adapting to communities, to the landscape, and to the needs of the people who call a place home.

There’s plenty of inspiration, then, for people who want to change the narrative. And we know we’re not the only ones trying to give development

can make great things happen. On

be and how it relates to everything and

a new and better name. Maybe you

the one hand you need to share our

everyone around it. We want to build a

too want to rewrite the story, create

resolve and our excitement about the

vision we can all believe in, bring people

good places, and show there’s another

possibilities, and on the other you

with us on the journey, and tell a story

way of doing things. Maybe you also

need to be in possession of – or on

everyone can get behind. There are

believe in sensitive, landscape-led

the lookout for – a piece of land that’s

some things we feel strongly about and

development, and you hate the idea of

ready and waiting for a better purpose.

which we’ll fight for – with grace and

generic, bland design. Maybe, like us,

But we’re not talking about a great

good manners, of course. Prioritising

you want to work with the differences

swathe of countryside here. It could be

pedestrians over cars is one, and giving

of communities, not against them. And

just a small plot on the edge of a town

each self-build plot the breathing space

maybe, like us, you see value in paving

or village, a string of garages, or even a

– and views out – it needs is another.

the way for self-build plots which

large garden that’s seen better days.

By the same token, we see ‘in-between spaces’ as inherently and fundamentally

people can make their own.

First, it’s time for a bit of serious,

valuable. Nature might not perform

By bringing together our skills,

thoughtful research. We dig deep (but

well on a spreadsheet, but this is about

knowledge and vision – ours as

no spades in the ground yet!) into the

much more than easily quantifiable,

architects, yours as a developer – we

character of the site: how it came to

quick returns.

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With a plan for the land sketched out, the number and position of plots agreed, and the all-important entrance off the highway approved, you might think our work is done. But it’s in everyone’s interests to set out a ‘design code’ by which this new place can evolve. We think of it not as a rigid set of rules but as a reassuring frame of reference. For the planners, it’s proof of a considered, coherent scheme

By bringing together our skills, knowledge and vision – ours as architects, yours as a developer – we can make great things happen

with parameters in place. For each self-builder, it’s a firm but gentle steer.

go one step further and come up with

we all share, to help self-builders

It gives them certainty that – if they

a full design for their new house, then

express their individuality and realise

abide by the code – permission for their

we’ll be ready to do that too). Far from

their dreams, and to give our towns and

house will follow. (And if they ask us to

inhibiting creativity or encouraging yet

villages the chance to thrive.

another uninspiring development (the

Check out our FAQs.

sort we’ve been so keen to distance

We’re imagining a world where

ourselves from), the design code

development becomes something to

is there to set the bar high, to raise

celebrate and only a force for good.

aspirations, and to keep the vision alive.

But, most of all, we’re imagining a world where developments naturally

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All of this is what ‘placemaking’ – to

grow into part of the landscape, part

use the slightly opaque industry

of the community, and a place called

term – means to us, and we love the

home. This is our manifesto, then,

opportunities it offers: to come together

for sensitive, beautiful, welcome

with like-minded partners on a mission

development. Join us.

7

Refurbishments and extensions Giving new life to old homes

We love old buildings, whether they’re beautiful, downright ugly, or somewhere in between. But they were built for another era and another way of living, they were built at a time when a big space meant a cold space, when windows let in as many draughts as they did beams of light, and when cooking wasn’t a convivial activity but something done – if you were a 1950s housewife – behind closed doors.

In other words, we’ve moved on in leaps and bounds, but most of our houses haven’t. They cost too much to heat. They shut out the sun. They dampen our spirits. So, not surprisingly, we feel frustrated, dissatisfied and trapped. And we cry out for more space – and more storage.

But tacking a box onto the back of your house is rarely the answer. And, actually, it’s very likely to make things worse. If natural light is struggling to reach the dark recesses of your home right now, then that light is going to have even further to travel. If there’s dysfunction in your existing spaces, then a new space – however functional – isn’t going to solve that. Instead, let’s take our time, look around your

Unpicking can, of course, come with

existing spaces, and start to build

surprises. And until your builders

up a different picture – a picture of a

dig down, scrape away and break

better way to live. Can any of them be

through, none of us – not even the

reused, rejigged, repurposed? Because

most experienced designer – quite

when it comes to space, we’re firmly

knows what we’re going to find.

in the quality-over-quantity camp. And

But we promise to be upfront and

we’ll never shy away from undoing

proactive about the knock-on effects,

the wrong turns and mistakes of your

both in terms of time and money.

predecessors (and ours).

Transparency is key.

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WELLFIELD AVENUE Stripping back seemingly thoughtless, ad-hoc additions gives the house both unity and order. Scan the QR code or go to georgeandjames.co.uk for a video tour

When it comes to space, we’re firmly in the quality-over-quantity camp

planners default to lookalike bricks and a matchy-matchy design, there are sure to be more inspiring possibilities, and we’ll be ready and primed to get everyone on board when the time for a conversation comes.

Every refurbishment, every extension,

Why do we enjoy this work so much?

and easy job, and if we give you

should be a transformation. We won’t

Put simply, it appeals to both sides of

generous, wheelchair-friendly doors,

ask you what your budget is because

our brain, left and right. It’s about both

then – if the need arises – you’ll be

that implies expense without reward. So,

logic and emotion. On the one hand,

ready to reap the benefits, in terms of

instead, we talk about investment. We

we’re applying reason and method

time, costs and disruption.

want you to invest wisely and carefully in your future, in a way that’s right for you,

to your spaces, thinking through the detail and tricky configurations. And,

We have high expectations of what

whether that’s going above and beyond

on the other, we’re talking about the

a well-designed space will do for

to make your house a model of energy

fundamentals of the way you want to

you. In fact, our aspirations for the

efficiency, daring to insist on the kitchen

live and taking you on this journey with

transformation of your cold, damp and

you’ve always dreamed of, or – even

us. We’re helping you see past the

dysfunctional house go way beyond

better – doing both.

familiarity of your existing spaces to

just making it warmer, dryer and more

imagine something very different.

functional. And if you’re familiar with

Whichever way you choose to go,

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, then you’ll

we see it as one of the very best

We’re thinking, too, about how things

know that ‘shelter’ is just the start of

investments you could ever make – and

might change. The passage of time

what we should all be looking for in life.

we’d love to be a part of it.

affects us all: young children become teenagers, hardworking professionals

So, when you find us talking you out of

retire, and active retirees feel the need

a bog-standard extension, you’ll know

to put their feet up. Even if you can’t

we have your best interests at heart.

quite imagine it right now, we’re keeping

We’re not great fans of pale imitation

all that in mind. We want it to be the

or, worse, pastiche. If an extension is

kind of place your children will love at

the answer, let’s celebrate and respect

any age, and the kind of place where

the original building (even if it’s not

you’ll always feel at home. If we factor

listed or of heritage interest) by marking

in behind-the-scenes infrastructure to

the threshold between old and new,

make the future installation of a grab

allowing one to complement the other

rail (an elegant one, of course) a quick

and allowing each to shine. Even if the

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“A new house which has been meticulously and ima

advantage of the views to the South Downs. The internal jo

considered and superbly crafted. The house, along with th

and garden creates a welcoming and calm atmosp

- Simon Knight DL, Chairman, Sussex Herita 10

aginatively designed to take full

oinery and fittings have been carefully

he surrounding landscaped forecourt

SUSSEX HERITAGE TRUST AWARDS

phere and living environment.”

age Trust Awards 2023 11

Heritage and conservation Looking after the past (and the future)

Let’s get straight to the heart of the

a building we know should be listed

New additions – extensions, say – often

matter. Owning a listed building – or

but isn’t, and those are always exciting

bring the conversation to a head. We’d

any building with pedigree – isn’t for

finds. At these moments, our urge to

much rather adopt a contemporary,

the faint-hearted. Compared to other

protect kicks in just as forcefully. And,

contrasting approach, because we see

buildings, there are always bigger

whatever the designation or lack of it,

that as altogether more sensitive, more

hurdles, longer timescales, additional

it’s about valuing and respecting the

honest and more interesting. Another

costs and unexpected issues. Add to

building for what it is.

reason to lay our cards on the table and get talking straight away is that getting

that more red-tape, and you get the picture. But if, like us, you thrive on the

As we all know, ‘value’ and ‘respect’

the right permissions can be a long and

challenge and on the rewards a bit of

can mean different things to different

bumpy road. To give you an extreme

history can bring, read on.

people, and that’s true of different

example: we never thought it would

local authorities, too. So setting out

take two years to get the necessary

We’ve worked on enough listed

our way of thinking early on is vital.

consents to restore a Georgian building,

buildings, and on enough buildings

We see ourselves (and you, the owner)

butchered in the 80s and now in a sorry

in conservation areas and National

as custodians of the building, and if

state, back to its former grandeur, but

Parks, to take all the extra complexity

there’s a bit of negotiation involved

it did. Why those particular heritage

and paperwork in our stride. But if

to get everyone doing the right thing,

officers had to be so awkward, we’ll

that makes it sound as if it’s run of

that’s all part of the job description.

never quite understand.

the mill for us or that we’ve lost any of our enthusiasm, then that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Our view is that the best way to protect our heritage assets is to love them and look after them, and it’ll always be a privilege to work on buildings deemed worthy of protection.

Sometimes, though, we come across

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We’d much rather adopt a contemporary, contrasting approach. We see that as altogether more sensitive, honest and interesting

If a building is within a conservation

When restoration work is involved, as it

area, there are additional planning

often is with listed buildings, it’s a case

controls to navigate. We start by

of treading gently, thinking about what

seeking out the ‘conservation area

we’re trying to achieve, and then calling

statement’ to give us a steer as to the

in the specialists. We love working with

council’s vision. But sometimes this

heritage consultants and specialist

isn’t as transparent or as clearly defined

craftspeople who know their stuff.

as we’d like. Or, worse, it doesn’t even exist. But we’re always ready to put the

An old house is almost always a

work in, speak to the right people, and

careful balancing act and a reason

find the right way forward.

for compromises (unlike a new one

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THE GROVE We balanced our clients’ love of the house’s original features with their aspiration for a modern interior. Scan the QR code or go to georgeandjames.co.uk for a video tour

where you could have the best of both

Let’s end on a positive. There’s

worlds). You might relish the idea of

something intensely satisfying about

living in a medieval barn, but if you

bringing an old and beautiful building

don’t have electricity and drainage,

back to life and making it useful once

and of course an internet connection,

more. It can’t give you everything,

it’s sure to be more appealing in theory

granted, but one thing it can give you

than in practice. So, if old buildings

is a sense of pride in leaving a building

can’t be brought into the present

in better condition than when you

day and made as energy efficient as

started and in saving a piece of history

possible, it’ll be harder to make the

for the future. If you share our love of

case for investing in them, and then

heritage and of history, that should be

they’ll just crumble away.

reward enough.

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Interior architecture Making a house a home

How can we talk about architecture without talking about interiors? We can’t. But we know that’s how people often think of architects – as designers of the bones of a building but none of the flesh. Instead, we see it all as part of one seamless, joined-up design journey. No detail is too small, no room is beyond our remit, and no concern is off the menu.

Every home is made up of a thousand tiny decisions, and we want each one of those to be right. We’re thinking about kitchen storage, about bathroom taps, about the view from the bed, about where you’ll put your keys, and about how you’ll move from one space into another.

Of course everyone wants to get these things right. But it’s all too easy to feel the hard work is done too soon. The building’s watertight, the empty spaces are beckoning, and the bulk of the heavy lifting is over. We’ve seen it too many times, and we know just what a slippery slope it can be. well, who knows? All of this makes

or be a hurried afterthought. We’ve

Now’s not the time to take your eyes

for a disjointed, piecemeal, unsettling

all seen curtains designed to look the

off the destination, to leave the rest

process. (It also makes us sad, but

part at night, with no thought given for

to chance, or to let go of the myriad

that’s our problem, not yours.)

how – or where exactly – they’ll stack come morning. In short, investing time,

threads that come together to make a house a home. Of course it’s tempting.

Ours is a full-building approach, with as

money and thought early on will save

You’re saving money here and there.

much rigour brought to your interiors

you from costly, irritating, ‘why-didn’t-

You’ve got a handle on it all, and you’re

as to the walls and roof of your home,

I-think-of-that’ mistakes further down

trusting your instincts and your gut. But

and as much meaning attached to your

the line. We’ve designed larders, drink

those last-minute kitchen and bathroom

hallway as to your dining space. Mood

cabinets, bespoke door handles, AV

designers you’ve drafted in don’t know

lighting, task lighting, bedroom joinery,

cupboards, TV units that pop up out of

the space – or know you – like we do.

kitchen appliances, window coverings –

nowhere, and even a vanity unit with

And the furniture off the internet is,

none of these should be left to chance

a pull-out step (no ugly plastic stools

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here, please!). That’s a small thing for a small person, but it makes a difference.

And if we need to make space for your precious but oversized dining table, we’ll set the wheels in motion early so that it slots in perfectly. There are other things

No detail is too small, no room is beyond our remit, and no concern is off the menu

which are harder to put your finger on: natural light, shadow, texture, and the

Admittedly, there’s a lot for you to think

Let’s not forget just how much time

interplay between these. Whether night

about. But it’s what we’re trained to

we spend indoors, and how important

or day, filled with friends or enveloping

do, and it comes naturally to us. Our

it is to find joy in the smaller things

you in cosiness and ‘hygge’ on an

job is to help you and your family –

– eating breakfast, clearing up after

evening in, your home needs to feel right

the ones who will be living, playing,

dinner, settling down in front of the TV,

and be comfortable in its skin.

growing and learning in these very

and the many other rhythms that shape

spaces – understand how everything

our daily lives.

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(the things money both can and can’t buy) will come together to create a

We haven’t been singing enough about

home that truly works. It’s a challenge

this whole-picture, beginning-to-end,

we embrace, in both sophisticated and

outside-inside approach, and the deep,

less sophisticated ways. On the one

deep difference it can make. But now

hand, we’re using the latest tech and

we’re changing our tune, and it’s time

3D software to give you a sense of the

to sing loud and clear. Because, yes,

scale and flow, and, on the other, we’re

we’re interested in how your home

taking you to showrooms so that you

looks from the outside, but how it

can see – and touch! – the things which

makes you feel on the inside – well,

will one day be part of your home.

that’s what matters most of all.

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Everything else Creating places to work, play and gather

their objectives, their dreams? To understand you and your business, we need to understand them too.

The answers to all these questions – just a few of the many we’ll be asking you – might be difficult to articulate, but that’s the point. A building project isn’t just about bricks and mortar. Creating a new space, or rethinking an existing one, is a chance to go deep, to reset and to define your journey. We’re here to help you do that. Part of our job is to get to grips with the processes which underpin your business – and the particular demands that these make upon your building and its materials.

We don’t want to skim the surface or dodge the bigger questions. We Defining the range and scope of our

healthy spaces and want to make

want to make sure you’re right on

non-residential projects is almost

your shop, workspace, gym or yoga

track, heading in the right direction,

impossible. And, actually, we’d much

studio somewhere people want to be?

and aiming for the best – whether

rather talk about people than projects.

Whatever the size of your business or

that’s creating the perfect balance of

That puts us on a much firmer footing

the space it inhabits, we can’t wait to

openness and retreat in your yoga

and on much safer ground. In other

get involved.

studio or hitting the sweet spot with a seriously uplifting workspace. But of

words, we’re as careful about choosing our clients as we’re sure you are about

We believe the very best spaces and

choosing your architect.

places come out of great partnerships.

If we understand each other, if our

Are you a pile-it-high-sell-it-cheap

missions align, if we can speak plainly

retailer intent on cutting corners or a

and honestly, one business to another,

fast-food entrepreneur with little regard

then good things will come. But let’s

for sustainability? Then we’re probably

not rush in too fast. First, we all need

not the architects for you. Are you an

to take a big step back. Where are

independent business, community

you going with your business? What

group or local council looking to

are your long-term goals? How will

create a healthy space for your staff,

this building project help achieve

your customers and yourself? Then

them? And who exactly are your ideal

we’d love to talk. Do you care about

customers? What are their motivations,

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course talking about a ‘perfect balance’

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or ‘sweet spot’ will never quite cover the complexities and intricacies that go with running a business. Our design for a microbrewery is a case in point: an exercise in form, yes, but most of all an exercise in durability and function.

We believe the very best spaces and places come out of great partnerships

With so many enthusiastic visitors, everything has to be able to withstand

sustainability of your coffee business,

our client’s bottom line, we’re looking

the test of many hands and many

say, let’s not talk of carefully chosen

far beyond. We’re imagining people –

unexpected knocks.

coffee on the one hand and then source

next year, next decade, next century

mass-produced plastic furniture on the

– walk through these doors ready to be

Your brand plays a big part, too. Your

other. The chairs, the feel of the door

inspired. We want to make their lives

physical spaces should reflect your

handles, the curve of the banister, the

better too.

values, tell your story, and embody your

materials beneath your feet – let’s make

view of the world. When we had the

sure all of these add up.

Your business might not be your home, and the numbers on that spreadsheet

chance to design our own workspace, a converted dairy far from the beaten

Of course the numbers have to add

might not be your personal bank

track, we made absolutely sure we

up just as perfectly. Otherwise, we

balance, but that doesn’t mean we

practised what we preached. Now

wouldn’t be doing our job. We’re

shouldn’t take as much care over these

every one of us – Archi the whippet

business people too, and we’re not

as if they were. And while we’ll always

included – loves our little place of calm

afraid of looking your commercial

love the privilege of creating one-off

and creativity amongst the fields and

imperatives in the eye.

homes, working on these more public projects with you – places to work,

woods. As Michael Eisner, the former CEO of Disney, said, ‘brand’ is the

But it’s always got to be about more

to learn, to play, to relax, to eat, and

product of a thousand small gestures,

than that. And even as we turn a

simply to gather – opens up so many

and, if we’re talking about a building,

handsome Georgian building (a former

possibilities. Just imagine the lives we

that means the product of a thousand

high-end casino, no less) into a modern

can touch, the experiences we can

details. If you pride yourself on the

workplace, keeping a laser focus on

shape, and the futures we can reach.

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Our working method Our step-by-step guide to getting you to the finish line

We base our process on the

likely to cost? How long might it take?

up bits of cardboard, though. We think

RIBA’s tried, tested (and very much

Together we agree on a way forward

about time and cost issues, about

trusted) Plan of Work. But we know

and begin to hatch a plan.

sustainability, and about health and

it can be difficult to follow, so here’s

Oh, and one more thing: we help

safety. If we need to test the water with

our rather more human-friendly

you commission a ‘measured survey’

the local Planning department, we do

guide. We hope it gives you a good

which gives us the millimetre-perfect

that too.

idea of what to expect as well a

plans we need to be able to get on with

welcome sense of how much there

being creative. We suggest a surveyor,

is to enjoy.

explain the process (and the cost), and

Getting everything ready for planning

then on the day you just need to let

is an exciting time – for us and for you.

them in.

The rough sketches we’ve assembled

0. Setting the scene We help you grapple with the big questions. What are you hoping to

2. Taking shape

3. Planning

so far need to start doing some real heavy lifting, so we get our heads

achieve and where are you trying to get

We love this stage, and you will too.

down and drill down to the detail,

to? And is a building project even the

We start sketching furiously and giving

making sure everything is as functional

right way of getting there?

shape – on screen and on paper – to

as it is beautiful. Once your planning

the ideas we’ve discussed.

application is as perfect as it’ll ever

1. Kick-off

On the one hand we’re drawing on

be, we click ‘Submit’ and breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The questions get a little more personal

our experience of every project we’ve

at this point, and if we haven’t met you

worked on. On the other, we’re leaving

already, we definitely want to meet you

all that behind and coming at your

chance for you to get on with life and

now – along with your partner/family/

project completely fresh, thinking far

put your focus back on other things,

dog/colleagues/customers (depending

outside of any box and focusing entirely

we’re still very much on duty. We’re

on the project, obviously).

on you.

keeping all lines of communication

You can draw up a wish-list as long

We feel our way around different

But while this might signal a

open – working with the planning

as you like and tell us all about your

concepts with 2D drawings, 3D

consultant (if we’ve brought one on

must-haves, nice-to-haves, and most-

drawings and models (out of cardboard

board), picking up on any questions

definitely-nots. We soak it all up and

and anything else that helps conjure

or concerns the planners might have,

still want to know more.

up our vision). We think about how the

smoothing out any wrinkles, and

We explore your site. If it’s your

spaces will feel, put together mood

existing house and garden, we

boards, and even come up with ideas

investigate every nook, cranny and

for furniture.

irritating detail. If the site is a muddy

Right now, everything’s more than

field, we’re just as interested – pacing

a little rough around the edges and

up and down in our wellies, breathing in

very much up for discussion (and

the air, absorbing our surroundings, and

there’ll be a lot of that). But your

working out where the sun rises and

positive, enthusiastic reactions at this

where it sets.

point are usually enough to tell us we’re

We bounce ideas around with you, and throw out some figures too. What might be possible? How much is it

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More about our process

hitting the right notes and firmly on the right track.

It’s not all mood boards and slicing

scan the QR code or go to georgeandjames.co.uk

doing whatever we can to get your

check on progress and on quality, keep

sorting or fine-tuning – snagging, as

application over the line.

track of cost, oversee health and safety,

it’s known. We’re still here for you, and

and certify payments to the builder.

we work with the builder to resolve any

4. Tender

We give you regular updates

loose ends.

With planning approval now sorted,

from site, explaining what’s going on

Once those loose ends are

we pull together all the technical

in frequent progress meetings, and

dealt with we issue a final certificate,

information, coordinate the specialist

through written reports, photographs

which is another step on from the

input from consultants, and assemble a

and impromptu conversations. We’re

earlier ‘practical completion’ certificate.

‘tender package’. You can think of this

your ‘contract administrators’ as well

Now you can pay the builder’s last

as a very thorough instruction manual,

as your architect, and you can think

invoice and sit back, safe in the

and it gives a builder everything they

of us as the go-between, answering

knowledge that everything’s just as it

need to know to price up and then build

questions from all sides and keeping

should be.

the project. The technical drawings,

everyone moving in the same direction.

along with quite a bit of explanatory

We can’t promise that real life won’t

7. Enjoy!

detail, also go to Building Control, who’ll

throw up the odd problem, but we can

It’s time for you to get on with the

be keeping an eye on building works.

promise that we’ll jump to attention with

business of enjoying what we’ve

We send out the tender package to

the first hint of something unforeseen.

created together.

a shortlist of potential builders so that

We’re here to shoulder the stress, keep

But don’t forget us. We hope you’ll

they can understand exactly what’s

the big picture in mind and ensure that

invite us over some time for dinner or

involved and give us an accurate price.

every element is true to the design.

even cocktails. We’d love to see your new spaces in action and hear you talk

Once we’ve got the quotes back, we

When the builder gets to the end of

go through them together with you,

the schedule of works, with everything

about anything – or everything – you

weighing each one against the others.

ticked off to our satisfaction, we give

particularly love about them.

Then we prepare a building contract for

you a ‘practical completion’ certificate.

you and your chosen builder to sign.

The builder, meanwhile, gets sign-off

we are creative and sociable, we’ll

from Building Control. Then the builder

evaluate your building’s performance.

moves out and you move in.

Doing that helps us understand the

5. Getting it built At last we’re on site. We keep a close eye on the contract and on what’s

6. Fine-tuning

And because we’re as geeky as

impact of our work, keeps us learning, and means we can check your building

happening, making sure everyone – and

You’re in, but for a year or so it’s not

is keeping you warm and comfortable,

everything – is on the same page. We

unusual for the odd thing to need

just as we’d planned.

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Ready to get started?

Preparing the ground for some great conversations

To help you on your way – and to

We love working with people who throw

you need to be as transparent with

ensure we all get the most out of our

themselves into the journey as well as

us as we are with you. (We talk of

early conversations – here are a few

the destination.

investment, not budget, because we

things for you to think about.

1. Quality

3. Wishlist Do you have any unusual requests or

know the rewards will come.)

5. Consensus

Is this just about keeping up with the

particular needs?

Are all the decision makers on the

Joneses, or is there more at stake?

Please don’t hold back. And tell us

same page?

It’s natural to care about what the

sooner rather than later. That way,

If not, don’t worry. We know that not

neighbours think (and we do too), but

we can factor everything in without

everyone agrees on what matters most.

even more important is how your spaces

breaking our stride.

And if your answers to the questions

will look and feel for years to come.

2. Involvement

4. Investment

above don’t quite match up, we’re here to help.

Are you ready to talk openly and

Are you excited about immersing

honestly about money?

Want to get the ball rolling? Get in

yourself in our design process?

To make the most of your investment,

touch.

Meet the rest of the team

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scan the QR code or go to georgeandjames.co.uk

“They have a great eye for detail” “They are thorough, detailed, and very good at understanding what we wanted (a mix of restoration of a locally listed building and sympathetic modernisation), dealing with planners, a large and complicated project, made even more complicated with COVID. They have a great eye for detail, they’re good at managing scope changes and hence budget implications, and they’re practical, creative, fun and easy to work with.”

– Nan and Stuart, The Grove

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Ingram’s Green Lane Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 0LJ architects@georgeandjames.co.uk 01730 887 287

Take a tour of our studio To visit our website scan the QR code or go to georgeandjames.co.uk

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scan the QR code or go to georgeandjames.co.uk