April News

The wonderful sunshine has been most welcome.  The first swallow of the season was spotted on 22nd, much the usual time, despite the terrible weather of earlier this year.
We welcome Richard Ellis, who has joined us this month as temporary maternity cover for Monica.
Mondays are cake days in the KPT office, and since Richard has joined us, the standard of cake-making has been well and truly upped!

• The Concept design to the large C17th lobby entrance Farmhouse in Essex is complete and we are producing all the forms and reports for the planning application, having done a previous pre-application with the Council to ensure they are content. 
• We have received Listed Building and Planning Permission for the extension and outhouse conversion to a Grade II* farmhouse in Hertfordshire.  A full set of Construction/Building Regulation drawings are now well underway ready to go out to tender soon.  
• At the church of All Saints, Gt. Chesterford, Lodge and Sons, who specialise in works to Churches and listed building are have commenced the roof repair works. 
• The Quinquennial Report has been written for the church of St. Nicholas, Little Chishill.
• The measured and drawn survey has been carried out at a Grade II 17th Century timber framed and plastered, Lobby entrance house in Cambridgeshire, for the re-ordering of the interior of the house to provide additional bedrooms and bathroom space, and also a Breakfast Room extension onto the later Victorian wing.
• At a Grade II 16th Century timber framed, plastered house in Essex, a measured survey has been undertaken to prepare the existing drawings of the building, ready for the design for the provision of a larger Kitchen, and also to re-vamp the first floor interior layout.
• Awaiting pre-application advice for a new-build eco-home within the grounds of an old orchard in Essex.  
• The Pre-application advice has been submitted for an exciting design to two barns, one of which dates back to the 15th century. The later 17th century barn will be business and the older barn an annex.  
• We are eagerly awaiting the outcome of a planning application for works to a Grade II Listed former rectory in Hertfordshire. 
• St. Michael and All Angels, Galleywood have displayed their Feasibility Plan and views we designed for them in the Church over Easter and we are waiting back for all the feedback to take the project forward and evolve the design. 
• Our professional photographer, Michael Cameron, will be taking pictures of a Grade II listed Regency house in Essex once the silk shades are in place, as this project is now in its rectification period.  
• Finchingfield Guildhall is looking splendid and we are really pleased with the skilled work of Tony Loades and all his team from Fairhurst Ward Abbott. The windows and leaded lights are in, the lime-wash coats and remaining lime pargetting is being completed by conservator Neil Patmore. Where we have found evidence for doors these have been re-fitted, some of which incorporate salavage boards and nearly all are unusual and fascinating shapes, as the building frame is angled rather than vertical.  
• At a C16th Hall House in Essex the first floor is nearing completion with the staircase going in and all internal doors being fitted throughout. Internal decorations are progressing well, breathing life back into the house.  The exterior limewash has transformed the exterior to its former glory giving a lovely texture and subtle finish. G. Cook and Son plasterers will shortly be applying the last coat of render to the final elevation and the Main Contractor, R J Hogg and Son (who specialise in historic building works) have applied all their skills, to reveal the history of this lovely building, while modernising and personalising it for the family.
• We are currently getting an estimate of construction cost for the Breakfast room extension to a beautiful Arts and Crafts Grade II Listed house in Essex, while we are waiting for the Planning and Listed Building approvals.   
• We are undertaking the interior design for some rooms in a pretty house in Essex. The initial concept interior sketches and design tableaux are being put together for a  playroom, childrens and Master Bedroom, Dresssing room and En-suite. 
• Construction Drawing continues for the new Orangery and St. Francis accessible Suite for Pleshey House of Retreat in Chelmsford. The Building Regulation drawings include for an oak structure and sedum green roof, what were inspired by the pergola that was there originally.  
• As usual, this is a busy month for us as lots of people contact us with potential new jobs as spring arrives and new homes are purchased and new community projects kick start. Sibyl has been out to see some lovely historic homes which range from farm houses to a very fine C14th wheat barn.   
• We are over the moon to tell you that KPTA Architect Monica Corcoran gave birth on 30th April to baby Oona Lynette and she, her husband Ali, and Onna’s big sister Ailsa are all thrilled.
• The new Kitchen is in at a Large Grade I listed Country House we have been renovating for over a year and the modern extension is taking shape with fabulous views across the estate. The building works are being undertaken very professionally and using the skills and craftsmanship of local firm Rose Builders. 
• The new doorcase design for a large country house in Essex is complete and the terracing in the stable court.  The design has been inspired by the original Architects Robert Taylor and John Johnson with doorcase design incorporating features common to them in the 18th Century. 
• Final completion is due on a listed large house in Essex where we renovated the house, reinstated the ashlar lime plastering, built an orangery extension with large cellar. This contains a new cinema and games rooms and we also renovated the indoor swimming pool building. The builders are finishing off next month for final handover.