Commercial Architecture Archives

Stokesay Castle | Shropshire

KODAs Conservation team have carried out a schedule of condition ahead of a filming production by Amazon productions that one of the finest fortified houses in the country, Stokesay Castle. The Scheduled Ancient Monument is owned and managed by English Heritage.

Stokesay Castle was constructed at the end of the 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, who at the time was one of the richest men in England. It remains a treasure by-passed by time, one of the best places to visit in England to experience what medieval life was like. The great hall has remained unchanged for over 700 years and is a fine example of construction with spectacular medieval roof timbers. Perhaps the most characterful addition to the complex is the 17th-century gatehouse with fine decorative timber carving. The castle is set within breathtaking views of the Shropshire Hills

KODA architects Conservation architects are working closely with English Heritage, Architectural Conservators and Amazon Prime production team to ensure that the Scheduled Ancient Monument is not damaged during the filming process. Prior to filming KODAs conservation team carried out a schedule of condition as a record of the buildings current condition. KODAs team continue to assist conservators and production team throughout the production.

Stokesay Castle is home for filming of a period drama for Amazon Prime, set in the medieval period. However as Stokesay has periods of development through most periods with the fine 17th Century gate house being the focus of the site. Having these later additions would not fit the medieval setting in which the film is set so the set had to be carefully dressed so that later features such as the gate house as well as smaller features such as lead rainwater pipes, alarm boxes and a well housing did not show in the finished film. Other features including the new reception, shop and toilets had to be hidden to appear like they were a timber clad barn in the background.

We eagerly away to see the final results on our screens later this year.

Bastion Mews Hereford

Bastion Mews Hereford is encircled by the Hereford City Wall which was constructed in the 13th Century by Royal decree, getting its name from a defensive bastion which once stood at the site, defending one of four City gates. The site has had many uses in its history with the latest use being home to Shack Revolution and more recently, Bastion Street Feast. Quickly gaining a local reputation for great quality street food the vibrant site has been a huge success for the City.

The proposed new development will build from the already successful Shack Revolution Events space and Bastion Street Feast. The scheme will provide restaurant, office and workshop spaces as well as short term residential accommodation in association with the existing Shack Events venue and their LIVE|WORK|PLAY mantra.

The aesthetic of the site is one of an industrial past which reflects the sites history as one of the manufacturing centres of the City. Originally home to ironworks, the recent success of the site is down to its honesty through great food, drink and simplicity.

To continue the sites enduring success, KODA architects have been appointed to carry out master planning and detailed design to redevelop the site. Working closely with the client and wider team, KODA architects have utilised the industrial aesthetic to develop a mixed use scheme creatively utilising shipping containers. The principle staircase is housed in a container erected vertically bolstering their creative reuse.

Part of the underpinning philosophy of the sites redevelopment a diversity of uses and users. This multi use ideal elaborates on the ethos of the highly successful Bastion Street Feast where different street food vendors pitch up their stalls and sell their high quality food in a sharing and collaborative atmosphere. The masterplan calls for a mixture of live work units as well as recreational areas and amenity space in this highly sustainable location on the edge of the City Center. Complimenting the existing uses of the site, the new proposals are testament to 21st Century design, innovative and flexible to allow them to be easily changed should the site need to in the future.

The industrial aesthetic of the site is the main visual underpinning of the design but supplemented and softened with planting and punctuation with open oak cladding. The proposals were unanimously supported by the Planning Committee and competed in 2023.

Holiday Cabins | Herefordshire

KODA Architects obtained planning permission for 7 holiday cabins in Herefordshire. The rural location offers a truly exceptional views of of Hay Bluff and the Black Mountains. The scheme includes ecological enhancements designed by the applicants, who are landscaped gardeners, which propose to restore a previous orchard and include local apple species such as Hereford Redsteak Cider and Hereford Russet. As well as supplementing new native hedgerows the ecological enhancements provide a large area of flower meadow complete with owl posts. The site makes the most of the abundance of local public rights of way for the guests to enjoy by foot and bicycle

The cabins themselves are designed to enhance the enjoyment of the area, they feature relaxing verandah, large picture windows to frame the unique vistas. Rustic materials in the walls and roof include reclaimed timber and corrugated metal cladding fitting the local context. The cabins are also built to an exceptionally high standard by the applicants son Paul, a talented Carpenter who specialises in timber frame construction.

Paul designed and built the fitted kitchens, bathrooms and furniture which make creative use of the space available. We love his work and please check out his projects on Instagram and at joypadscabins.co.uk

The planning application was unanimously supported and adheres to the principles of Herefordshire Councils Policy RA6. It sets out the conditions under which the Council will be supportive of proposals, which help to diversify the rural economy and generate employment. This includes both sustainable tourism proposals of an appropriate scale.

The cabins themselves are constructed on site in a sustainable timber frame that are highly insulated. They are generously separated and focus on the quiet enjoyment of the outdoors. Guest enjoy the covered verandahs and outdoor seating around the fire pit where they fully appreciate the unique location.

You can follow Brilley Cabins on Instagram and gives a great insight into their ethos and their promotion of sustainability and wellbeing. They have been getting exceptions reviews and feedback. We are extremely proud to have been instrumental in obtaining planning consent and enjoyed the journey to seeing them finished to such a high standard as well as being enjoyed by their guests.

New Houses in Herefordshire

KODA architects have worked closely with many stakeholders to prepare and submit a planning application to Herefordshire Council for ten, barn style, new houses in Herefordshire. The development maximises the development potential of the site whilst meeting client defined targets of being responsible developers delivering high spec and affordable accommodation in rural communities. Biodiversity of the site is also enhanced through a carefully thought out enhanced landscaping scheme and wildlife corridors.

The design centred around a spine road which provides access across the whole site. Generously spaced along this road, the mixture of new housing is formed of plots including two, three and four bed dwellings, all with generous garden plots and garaging. The design is a contemporary interpretation of a barn style development which is the vernacular in the area. The language of the buildings, maximises views over private gardens and over the wider Herefordshire Countryside. Enhanced planting provides a verdant urban extension to the existing settlement.

Materials for the development were chosen following a close analysis of the existing vernacular and comprise of a red brick ground floor level with timber first floor. The contrast provides a grounding to the ground floor whilst the timber cladding provides a lightweight superstructure which will tone down as the materials weather creating a softer streetscene when viewed with the wider planting scheme.

The scheme is grounded sustainable building practises through limiting thermal loss and maximising thermal gain through large southern windows. Located close to the centre of an established village settlement, the development will benefit from existing services whilst encouraging families to the area, offering support. From the outset of the project, one of the design teams objectives was to retain the existing mature planting and to make enhancements to the bio diversity and the wider environment. The site is focused on these enhancements through enhanced planting and generous amenity space.

Watch our Instagram for updates of similar projects to this throughout many RIBA stages.

Quinquennial Inspection in Herefordshire

KODA architects have recently carried out a Quinquennial Inspection in Herefordshire on a 18th Century Dovecot. Located in rural Herefordshire, the Dovecote is the centre of village life on the banks of the river Arrow.

Built as a source of food during the winter months, dovecots around the country house pigeons and doves in specially designed roosts. Today the dovecot isn't used to house birds but a community shop and small village museum. KODA architects conservation architect, Fred Hamer, carried out the quinquennial inspection which is an inspection on the historic fabric. The survey is used as a baseline in establishing the condition of the building before a rigorous maintenance plan for the building can be devised.

Fred Hamer said "Carrying out a Quinquennial Inspection in Herefordshire Dovecots are a rare opportunity, as not many are still around. This one however is of a particular fine quality and condition and at KODA architects we relish working with older buildings"

The building was converted into a community shop on the ground floor as well as a village museum to the first floor. Staffed by volunteers, all shop profits are channeled into community projects in the village including planting and maintenance as well as repairs to maintain the 18th Century dovecote. The next steps are to engage with the client to promote a positive and proactive approach to maintenance and the ongoing conservation of this fine 18th Century building.

Dating form the 13th Century, Dovecotes are becoming increasingly rare in the Herefordshire countryside with the majority of them being in private ownership. KODA architects are proud to play a little part in the ongoing maintenance of the building, preserving it as a cherished community asset but for future generations also.

Watch our Instagram for updates of this project as it progresses through the onsite stages.

Stokesay Castle | Shropshire

Stokesay Castle | Shropshire

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Schedule of Condition

Bastion Mews Hereford

Master Planning at Bastion Mews Hereford

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Master planning Bastion Mews

Holiday Cabins | Herefordshire

Holiday Cabins in Herefordshire

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Holiday Cabins in Herefordshire

New Houses in Herefordshire

New Houses in Herefordshire

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New Houses in Herefordshire

Quinquennial Inspection in Herefordshire

Quinquennial Inspection in Herefordshire

Project Information