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. Scan the QR code or go to georgeandjames.co.uk for a video tour
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.
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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
Read what our clients say about us
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9
“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
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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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“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