SDA invited to produce concept
SDA Architecture have recently been invited to produce concept designs for St John Rigby College for their greatly anticipated new performing arts building. The Harrock building is a concept to develop a purpose built Music and Dance performing arts facility within the campus that will provide state of the art building for the students at SJR.
Project Value: £1.1 Million
Creative Director of SDA says, “Its really a great honour for us to be invited and be recognised for the quality of architectural designs that we develop and deliver”.
Subterranean Home
SDA Architecture Ltd have announced their appointment for a subterranean family home in Haigh Hall, Wigan. The land is situated in greenbelt and SDA Directors say the approval process will not be straight forward but are excited by the project and what it represents within the Architect World.
Director and Greenbelt specialist Katherine Pierpoint say, “Throughout SDA’s development as an forward thinking architectural practice it has always had a strong passion for applications that are not straight forward and potentially challenging. Within any greenbelt project there are obstacles and difficulties to overcome but with good well thought out design the challenges can be met and design expectations exceeded in many circumstances. I feel SDA Architecture now 6 years in since inauguration of the practice is now getting notice for the exciting and well thought out designs being development on a day to day basis.”
Tea with an Architect
SDA Architecture Ltd was recently asked to take part in the Tea with the Architect events set up and founded by Gabrielle Omar from the Apprentice TV program but should be know more for her appetite and talent for architecture. SDA attended to speak in Manchester at the RIBA HUB at Portland Street to provide an insight into how Architects and Architectural Technologists collaborate to create the architecture of today, the discussions were in depth and very inspiring.
Future events are happening throughout the year Google teawithanarchitect.com for further information/advice and event dates.
SDA Director Simon Lewis says… “I attended the event out of curiosity to fully try and understand what were the aim of the events and from meeting with Gabrielle and seeing her mutual passion for architecture it was clear that the aims of the events are to bring ARCHITECTS into the forefront of client advice. The free service of the consultation is a good way of breaking the ice and allowing people of all sector commercial, public, private, students etc to simply walk off the street and discuss potential projects with talented architects on an independent relax environment.
I feel the initial concept is very good indeed and has the makings of being very successful with the architecture world and has the potential to kick start the economy through exciting innovative discussion about architecture in all of its forms.”
SDA – Party Wall Act Summary
What is the Party Wall Act?
The Party Wall Act was introduced to prevent building work undertaken by one neighbour undermining the structural integrity of shared walls or neighbouring properties; it also serves to avert and resolve potential neighbourly disputes which might arise. The Act came into force on 1st July 1997 in England and Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland exempt. Although it is not part of their remit, a Building Control officer may offer some advice.
Will it affect my plans to renovate?
If you live in a semi, terrace, flat, or your detached home is sited within close proximity to neighbouring houses, it might. The key things to remember are which walls constitute as ‘party walls’ and the type of work subject to the Act. Floors and ceilings between flats, shared boundary walls, such as those between semis and terraced homes, and any other walls which touch the boundary are covered.
Carrying out superficial tasks such as fitting shelves, replastering, wallpapering and electrical rewiring are not included, but more extensive work – the type typically undertaken by renovators and extenders – is. Converting a loft which includes cutting into boundary walls to support new beams, underpinning, inserting a damp-proof course, increasing the thickness, or demolishing and rebuilding a party wall, as well as extending above a storey which lies on the boundary, are all such tasks.
Building a new wall for an extension, for example, up to or on the boundary, is also included, in addition to excavation work for new foundations, subject to condition (SEE ABOVE). You’ll need to assure your neighbour of the safeguards in place to protect their foundations. If you plan to undertake any work covered by the Act, then you’ll also have to give ‘Notice’ of the commencement of work to your neighbour.
My renovation falls under the Act – How do I give Notice?
Notice is given by way of a letter setting out your intentions, to any affected neighbour(s). Remember to include all the key information – including the date the Notice is served, the date work will commence, all parties’ names and addresses and a description of the proposed work – otherwise your Notice will be invalid. Once complete, present this, together with a copy of the Act and explanatory booklet, to your neighbour two months prior to starting.
Your neighbour will then have 14 days in which to provide written approval or rejection. If they provide approval, your Notice will be valid for a year to complete work. If, however, they reject or do not respond within 14 days, then you’re deemed to be in dispute.
This all sounds a bit formal; do I really need a Notice?
If things turn sour with your neighbour and they suspect that the work being carried out will adversely affect their home, they can seek a court injunction to stop you from continuing. An approved Notice is the only way to prevent this.
What if the neighbours object?
Talk to your neighbours and explain your plans in detail to reach an agreement. If approval is impossible, then you will have to assign a surveyor – jointly or individually – to prepare a Party Wall Award. This ‘Award’ will determine the work that can be carried out, how and when, measures for preventing damage as well as recording the current conditions of both properties.
For further detail professional advice regarding Party Walls and the Act, or if you require party wall assistance contact our office and we will be more than happy to help on 01942 610935.
SDA is Joining Jack are You…
SDA Architecture is proud to announce that they are joining the growing support of the Joining Jack charity based in Wigan. A company Director says “We have know Andrew and Alex for many years and completed successful architectural work for them in the past and when we heard of the news we wanted to provide our support immediately.” SDA is fully committed to help raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and much needed funds to find a cure!
SDA is currently producing a company charity golf day to help raise funds what this space for more details and if you would like to take part in the charity day please contact our design studio on 01942 610935
Brief introduction to BATS
Bats – The Law Explained
Its important to know Bats and their roosts are protected by law.
In summary this means if work needs to be done to any building that is known to contain a bat roost, or that may contain a bat roost, a bat specialist must be informed. If bats are discovered during work then the work must stop immediately until a professional bat consultant has been contacted and advice given.
In Britain all bat species and their roosts are legally protected, by both domestic and international legislation.
This means you will be committing a criminal offence if you:
- Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat
- Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats
- Damage or destroy a bat roosting place (even if bats are not occupying the roost at the time)
- Possess or advertise/sell/exchange a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat
- Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost
Penalties on conviction are strong – the maximum fine is £5,000 per incident or per bat (some roosts contain several hundred bats), up to six months in prison, and forfeiture of items used to commit the offence, eg vehicles, plant, machinery.
Who does the legislation effect?
- Property owners/householders who have a bat roost in their property
- Woodland owners, arboriculturalists and foresters
- Pest controllers
- Planning officers & building surveyors
- Architects, property developers, demolition companies, builders and roofers
If you have an existing or proposed project and have discovered bats or are looking to start work on a property which may contain bats and require professional assistance please contact our design studio on 01942 610935 for further expert assistance
SDA launches new studio in Whittle-Le-Woods
SDA are pleased to announce that they are opening a new design studio in Whittle-Le-Woods, Chorley. Studio Director Simon says, “we are really looking forward to opening our second practice in Whittle-Le-Woods and assisting the companies and home owners in providing a professional, innovative architectural experience, the move has been long in the planning and has now been confirmed the studio is planned to be launched fully and open for business in April 2013. The location on Preston Road of the A6 is ideal for our clients with great links to the surrounding areas and motorway links.
We are all really excited about this and can’t wait to begin designing in 2013″
If you are thinking of embarking on a project and require expert professional architectural advice and assistance contact our design studio on 01942 610935
SDA Architecture Ltd moves into St. Helen’s
SDA Architecture Ltd have recently been approached and commissioned to create a modern new build home for a former St. Helen’s rugby league star, the design is within the conservation area of Rainhill, St. Helen’s. The unique 5 bedroom home will encompass ultra modern sustainable functions that will create a zero carbon foot print.
SDA Comment: ‘we are extremely delighted to have been contacted to design this unique building and hopefully we can aid more of the St. Helen’s and Merseyside area with excellent architectural consultancy.’
SDA are currently producing concept designs so watch this space.
If you are thinking of redeveloping your home or embarking on a new build and require expert professional architectural advice and assistance contact our design studio on 01942 610935
8500sqft Mansion Completes January 2012
SDA Architecture Ltd are pleased to confirm that in January 2012 one of there longest private projects will coming to a conclusion, after three years the mansion in Read, Clitheroe will be accepting its new owners. The 8,500 sqft home includes dance floor and gymnasium, wine cellar, cinema room, 50ft Kitchen family room, bespoke kitchen, intelligent lighting, formal dining room, family room, formal living room, 5 generous bedrooms, mater suite with dressing room and luxury wet room and self-contained loft entertaining zone with kitchen, additional bedroom, office and two family bathrooms.
SDA Interiors will be providing finished interior images in January so watch this space.
If you are thinking of redeveloping your home or embarking on a new build and require expert professional architectural advice and assistance contact our design studio on 01942 610935
SDA Architecture becomes IHBC Approved
SDA Architecture Ltd are proud to announce and congratulate Heather on her membership status with the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Heather is one of the companies rising stars, a very passionate and talented architectural designer with a real flair and interest for historic building conservation.
Heather is currently working on the restoration of a 1890′s Edwardian villa in the heart of Wigan, alongside this Heather is also producing architectural designs for the extension of a Georgian Country House in Cheshire.
Congratulations from SDA
If you are thinking of restoring or conserving a building of special historical interest contact our offices on 01942 610 935
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