New Team Members

In the past few months four new team members have joined us: Liam, Jennifer, Chloe & David. Here are some clues as to how they are going to influence us.

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Invisible Repairs

I only had one problem to solve. There was nobody to tell me what to do or how to do it. I had the opportunity to learn how to do one thing well. And how often does that happen?

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An Architects Honeymoon

Back in July, Robert and I  were married in Tipperary, Ireland.

Rob is Irish and, rather predictably, he’s an architect too. So where do two architects choose to go for their honeymoon?

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Your place or mine?

It turns out we're all 'topophiliacs'. But what does that mean, and why is it important?

Andy's take on what makes places special.

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Studio in the woods

This is what happens when you invite 15 of the UK's leading architects in to the woods for the weekend with 70+ designers & makers and let them build whatever they want...

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Raise Launch

On 17th May we held an event at Storyhouse, the amazing new theatre and cultural centre in Chester. Over a hundred of our friends turned out to hear about our plans...

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A new generation brings change to Mapperton

Mapperton appears as a timeless jewel, unchanged for generations. However this is, of course, an illusion and finding ways to keep this historic place in use has required much careful planning over recent years. The first stages of these plans are just starting to be implemented...

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Coming Home

Along with the other ‘30-somethings’ leaving London, after nearly seven years I decided it was time to move back to my hometown, Chester. So here it is, this is why I decided it was time for a change — a long-term change...

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Inspiration - are you getting enough?

You may have come in to this world fully charged with a mission to do something or you may have stumbled in to your life’s work. Chances are, though, it was a conscious decision to do something particular having been inspired by someone or something.

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I wouldn’t say I messed up but…..

Some architects are control freaks and like to present their work as inevitable. As if everything had been intended. I prefer architecture that reflects life. You know, full of good intentions but a bit messy, more complicated and ultimately more interesting.

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The One Chair Project & Industry Chester

The One Chair Project is the initiative of Chester-based photographer, Sam Riley. The people of Chester were asked to nominate a person to the CHAIR. A cultural hero, an inspiration to others but mainly someone who was adding to the contemporary culture of the city.

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Critical comment........who needs it?

Critical comment is really important for anyone who wants to get better at what they do. That much is obvious. But is enough done to encourage it? Do we know how best to give it when others need it? And do you we know what to do with it when we receive it ourselves?

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The importance of the North point

All architects plans must have a north point. It provides your orientation. You need to be able to imagine the building relative to the movement of the sun. It's fundamental. It's Architecture 101.

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