Working collaboratively to turn your dream into a reality.
About Us
Who we are and where to find us...
PMR Architecture are an ambitious, multi-award winning, RIBA Chartered Practice with a wealth of experience working across a wide range of project sectors. We pride ourselves on being able to think outside the box and enjoy taking projects from conception all the way through to completion. We take a strategic and holistic approach to each project, balancing the client aspirations and budget with the site constraints and context.
PMR Architecture has offices in both Newton Abbot in Devon, and Brighton & Hove in East Sussex; with a fantastic team of Architects, Architectural Technicians, and Architectural Assistants, led by Directors, Paul Rose, John Collar and Ashley Harrison.
We have a reputation for delivering an outstanding architectural service for both private and commercial clients, working collaboratively with our network of consultants and contractors.
NEWTON ABBOT OFFICE
01626 572250
info@pmr-architecture.co.uk
PMR Architecture
Minerva House, Highweek Street, Newton Abbot. TQ12 1TQ
BRIGHTON & HOVE OFFICE
01273 980820
brighton@pmr-architecture.co.uk
PMR Architecture
Sheridan House, 112 - 116 Western Road, Hove. BN3 1DD
www.pmr-architecture.co.uk
Concept Design & Planning
RIBA Stage 0-3
Briefing
Initial Designs
Planning
The first step is for us to understand your unique brief. We will ask probing questions so that we can best understand what it is you want to achieve from the project and how you want to use the spaces. There will be many factors to consider such as your aspirations, budget, site constraints, planning constraints and more. We often like to share example images so that we can best design to your brief and aspirations.
Once we have the existing conditions drawn up, we can begin our design process. We model everything in 3D CAD software so that we can all understand the designs fully. We are able to walk you through the designs and spin you around the 3D model to show you the designs from every angle. The spaces can be explored during the design meetings and refinements discussed. It is at this stage when you get to see the designs starting to take shape.
Once the design has been finalised, we will produce a set of drawings appropriate to submit for a planning application. This may include hand drawn sketches or CGIs, depending on the project. Other consultants may be required to work on a project up to planning. (E.g. planning consultant, ecologist, heritage consultant, etc...). For larger, commercial projects, this list can be quite long. Whatever the project, we can help to guide you on what will be required. We have a strong network of different consultants that we can recommend. Once the project is submitted to planning, we will monitor the application and liaise with the local authority in order to try to ensure a positive outcome.
Building Regulations & Detailed Design
RIBA Stage 4
Building Regulations
Once planning permission has been granted, we can produce a set of drawings that will be suitable for Building Regulations sign off. This is the first level of technical drawings for Building Control purposes. We would recommend this as a minimum for all projects that are proceeding to a build.
Detailed Designs
For more complex projects we encourage our clients to go for a set of Detailed Design drawings. This set of drawings will be suitable for Building Regs and for contractors to price from. We go into a lot of detail at this stage as we feel this is the best way to ensure a smooth build process, accurate costings and that the design intent comes through into the finished building. Our drawings will be coordinated with other design packages, such as the Structural Engineer’s information. For all but the simplest extensions we recommend this level of service.
Specification
If you are looking to get a build price from several contractors then we would produce a written specification document in addition the detailed design drawings. We can send the package out to contractors to tender. Once the tender returns are received, we can help you to evaluate these and, finally, select a contractor for your build.
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Contracts, Manufacturing / Construction, and Site Support
RIBA Stage 5-7
Contracts
On Site Assistance
Once your preferred contractor is chosen, a build contract between you and the builder should be put into place. It is typical, on residential projects, for the architect to perform the role of Contract Administrator. We will draw up the contract and make sure that all parties are sticking to it unless otherwise agreed. We can perform monthly inspections of the work carried out and help to ensure you are paying a fair amount. We can also help to ensure the build is being carried out in accordance with the contract (Detailed Design) drawings. Whilst a contract can seem like an adversarial thing, it is there for those ‘just in case’ scenarios. 9 times out of 10 the build will be a collaborative and pleasant process.
We can provide an ongoing support role to both you, the client, and also the builder. Particularly when working with existing buildings, unknowns can be discovered and a solution will need to be found. We are at the other end of the phone and will aim to respond as soon as possible when a job is on site.
Completion
We love to be involved all the way to the end of a project and see our designs turned into a reality. There is no greater satisfaction to us than to have a client happy with their completed project, particularly when we have supported them all the way through the journey. We also like to photograph it for our website!
3 Our Work
Lower Woodland Barns
New Build House : Class Q : Betterment Scheme
This project was to create a pair of homes for two young families to grow and live surrounded by the idyllic countryside.The houses form a courtyard arrangement on the site of a former agricultural shed. This influenced the choice of materials to clad the buildings with the corrugated cladding used in a careful and crafted way. Inspiration was drawn from a study of local farmsteads and features such as the stepped roof, hipped eaves, metal cladding and window proportions all reference the distinct visual appearance of the working farms within the area.
Each house has a generous entrance hall, flooded with light from a roof light above and creating a real sense of connection between the two floors. Off of the hall, through a set of double glazed doors, is the open plan living space with expansive views over the countryside. The two houses have been fitted out to meet the individual tastes and characters of the clients; one dark, slick and architectural; the other light, airy and homely. The houses feature furniture handmade by one of the clients and bespoke to the building. Upstairs you can really appreciate the 360 degree view which encompasses sunset views to the front.
Highcliffe Mews
New Build House : Replacement Dwelling
Nestled in a picturesque village, this new build house occupies a challenging site; both in terms of being a conservation area with lots of historic buildings, and as a feat of engineering. The design features a cantilevering first floor looking out over an enclosed courtyard. To the rear the house has spectacular views of the estuary to the rear with a terraced garden hewn out of the landscape. The house is designed to be extremely environmentally efficient using concealed solar panels on the roof and heat pumps providing the heat for the house.
The project is currently on site and is due for completion in early 2024.
Verness
New Build House : Replacement Dwelling
This modest contemporary coastal home replaces the previously dilapidated bungalow with a new build house. The design seeks to be in keeping with the traditional buildings in the area but has a sympathetic, contemporary character of its own.
The scheme uses materials and forms that can be associated with the more traditional dwellings in the area but with contemporary detailing and clean lines creates a subtle contemporary architecture.
The location is spectacular with wonderful views over the estuary so naturally large areas of glazing feature. The very steep site and surrounding context of neighbouring dwellings lead to a different, much more private style to the rear of the house.
Exeland Co-Living
Commercial : Mixed Use : Co-living
Exeland house is a 38 bedroom co-living development including a host of communal facilities as well as a co-living office. The site is a historic mission hall stone building set within a conservation area that has been sensitively redeveloped with a new block the blends the existing buildings form with the materials of the local area. A public plaza has been created as an important new public open space for the local community and forms an attractive setting for the historic build frontage. A glazed link ties the old and new blocks together and the original ‘Coffins Way’ links the building to the high street through a bridge link which was originally used to bring coffins to and from the mission hall.
Sunset House
New Build House : Extension : Renovation
We were approached by a client who wanted to turn their tired dormer bungalow into a contemporary home for entertaining and modern living. The brief described a total transformation of the existing property both inside and out.
We worked with the client to create an additional storey above the retained bungalow structure to provide new bedrooms and an expansive master bedroom suite with balconies making the most of the views. The design features an extensive landscape treatment to create a terraced poolside area to the side of the building. Externally, the appearance of the house has been completely transformed to create a stunning contemporary property, which combines flat and pitched roofs and different materials to create a design encompassing the clients different tastes in one seamless design.
The steep topography of the site allows the outdoor spaces to benefit from sunset views, due west, overlooking the local park. The distant treeline horizon and give the clients the space to enjoy hosting and entertaining as well as for quieter moments with the family.
Original Property
Lincombe Keep
Extension : Renovation : Heritage
Built in 1992 within the Grade II listed gardens of Castle Tor, Lincombe Keep is a unique house designed to look like a castle. However, the design and layout of the building is peculiar and not suitable for 21st Century living.
Proposals to the property include a new ‘turret’ extension to house an impressive central stair linking all floors; internal alterations to improve the flow and spatial arrangements for the occupiers; and a new driveway and access.
The design has been very carefully crafted to look and feel like they have always been there. Much like the original concept of the castle itself.
Not only will the proposals enhance the look of the building, whilst remaining wholly sensitive to the original building and gardens, they will hugely benefit the practical use and safety of the house.
The Lookout
New Build House : Replacement Dwelling
This exciting new build house replaces the derelict ‘The Lookout Hotel’ which was a well known symbol of the local area. Unfortunately, the building was at the end of its life with a raft of structural problems. A new build solution was required.
Our design proposal is sympathetic to the character of the original hotel but with a modern, elegant twist. There are 4 core features to the design: a white render core occupying the same footprint as the original hotel; a single storey brick skirt where the existing extensions were located; a red zinc pitched roof; and the magnificent domed turret.
The materials, used externally, picked up on local materials, such as red tile roofs and white render, but reimagined these in a sympatheic and contemporary way. We used a soft natural render, white bricks and a soft red standing seam zinc.
The project is now complete and looking fantastic! It was a great build with a wonderful team and wonderful clients. This made for a really successful and collaborative project. PMR Architecture provided a full architectural service from conception through to completion.
April Cottage
Extension : Heritage : Listed Building
April Cottage is a Grade II Listed house with a ‘chocolate box’ appeal. Inside, the cottage is a small 2 bedroom dwelling. Our brief was to create additional space on the ground floor that could be used as both a living room or as a bedroom. The design is contemporary but sensitive to the old Listed Building. We have made use of white brick to echo the light coloured stonework of the original house. Lots of glass maximises the light coming in to the new room and provides a great connection with the picturesque gardens.
A cleverly designed zinc roof has an offset pyramidal shape. This is to place a skylight over the shower room for natural light and ventilation and also to enable views out from the existing bathroom window.
Altogether this is a sensitively designed contemporary extension to a Grade II Listed house. It gives the elderly owners peace of mind that they can continue living in their home when their mobility declines. Furthermore, extensions to Listed Buildings such as this, help to ensure their longevity by making them suitable for modern day living standards whilst conserving the heritage that makes them so special.
Original Property
58 Main Road
New Build House : Mixed Use : Urban Design
This project is a mixed use scheme including a 4 bed house, 8 apartments as well as retail space and a car garage.
This project is situated in a very sustainable location with excellent transport links and local amenities.
The designs have been inspired by the local character of traditional 1930s red brick and render houses with strong gable forms. The existing site is made up of very poor quality buildings contributing to a weak urban realm that does nothing to contribute to the character of an otherwise vibrant suburb.
Our designs focus on strengthening the public urban realm as well as providing new homes for the local area in sensitively designed contemporary architecture. This project is in for planning at the time of writing. If we are successful with a planning permission, this scheme will bring much needed regeneration to this area and will hopefully provide a catalyst for further development.
