Michael is a Chartered Architect RIBA.
Hello.
I am a fully qualified architect with 20+ years experience. I worked in practice for 10 years before launching myself as a sole practitioner. My last position was senior project architect with a large chartered practice in Bath, England. I have experience in most sectors and particularly residential, including listed buildings and other challenging planning conditions such as green belt, A.O.N.B., conservation areas and so on. I would describe my style as contemporary but have learned over the years that every job and every client is different and requires a bespoke service. To this end I don't dig my heels in if you have particular design preferences. I like to involve the planning authorities early on to ensure the best outcome for any permissions required, it pays to have them on-side. Being a sole practitioner I am able to offer competitive fees due to relatively low overheads. I normally supply a full cost breakdown once we've established a brief, then work to an agreed fixed fee for the various stages.You can cherry pick services if you only need me for specific tasks (eg. a planning application) .
I have jobs all over the UK as well as abroad and I'm happy to travel.
We would normally have a few meetings, and the drawing work is done here at my desk, liaising with you at key stages throughout the design.
Thanks for your interest and don't hesitate to get in touch.
Mike RIBA
Expertise
Loft conversions, Kitchens, Sustainable design, Extensions, Planning applications, Re-planning / Internal alterations, New builds, Accessible design
“Working with Mike was a pleasure. He spent a lot of time understanding our brief and our requirements from the project. He also discussed with us and questioned us carefully on our initial thoughts and ideas in order to explore why we had come up with the ideas we had. From this came suggestions from Mike that pushed us out of our comfort zone and challenged our (more conservative) thinking. Mike spent time exploring in outline both our ideas and his proposals so that in the end we arrived at a really exciting design for our extension which combined a contemporary design that still blended in with our period stone house. Aspects of our project were quite complex with conservation areas and green belt restrictions to deal with, not to mention bat ecology matters! Mike coped with this showing patience and understanding and liaised very willingly with our ecologist. Mike also investigated and priced aspects of the project such as glazing, roofing etc., requiring liaising with potential suppliers and getting comparable quotes. I would recommend Mike for any domestic project, but don’t expect a “yes” man who will slavishly just implement your amateur thoughts without challenge….. “
STEVEN READ, Rock Cottage 2016- 2017:
"Mike was a joy to work with. His knowledge and experience was second to none - providing valuable help with the design, planning and building phase of our espresso bar in Budapest. He managed to navigate us through the Hungarian planning process seamlessly. Mike prepared thoroughly for each meeting, providing architectural blue prints, 3D graphic images and extensive site analysis documentation. The planning department were extremely impressed, and granted us permission within a matter of weeks. They even commented that they “wished every application was as detailed”.
"On a personal note - Mike brought our project to life for us. Nothing was too much trouble, and we had complete flexibility to make changes and ensure we were happy with the design.
Mike is a great guy to work with - conscientious, professional and knowledgeable - plus down to earth and witty. A wonderful combination."
DAVE + CORRINE, Clients for The Goat Herder Cafe design
As a long term friend I can confirm that Mike is honest and reliable, and will not let any one down. He is good company and pleasure to spend time with.
Mike has excellent experience in practice. He has had a senior role at Nash Partnership in Bath and I know that from his continuing consultancy work that he was considered a valued member of staff. He was also in practice in the Channel Islands for a number of years where he was invited to work principally on a large social housing scheme. Mike has also had the enviable experience of designing and actually building his own house. The lessons that this gives in both technology and project management, are great tools to share with students. As well as the obvious fulfilment of seeing a design fully realised.
We met when I was teaching at Hull School of Architecture and Mike was one of my first year students.
He was a talented and enthusiastic student, and we became friends and have remained in touch.
In 2009 I was able to introduce Mike to Cardiff University, to support me initially in my role as part time first year degree tutor when I had some clashing dates. He quickly went on to become a design tutor in his own right.
TIM BARTON, Architect - Associate Director at Mace, Winchester + Design Tutor, Cardiff University
Really good meeting which covered all my initial questions and gave me a good feel for the process going forwards. I will be engaging Mike on my project.