Planning approval for a replacement dwelling in Herefordshire 1

Planning success for a new home in AONB.

KODA Architects have have secured planning approval for the replacement of a dated bungalow in Herefordshire AONB 

 

KODA Architects have secured planning approval for the replacement of a dated 1970″s bungalow with a modern 2-storey home in the AONB.

The design follows a simple narrative of two offset rectangular boxes stacked atop each other. The offset provides an cantilevered covered porch and south facing balconies offering the exception vistas whilst maintain amenity to the wider area. The design employs three simple distinct materials, white render, vertical timber weatherboarding and aluminium frame glazing. 

The proposal provides a modern, architecturally distinctive energy efficient home to suit the applicants modern family living with an indoor swimming pool. The materials used reflect the local distinctive and character required by both National Policy Framework, Herefordshire Core Strategy and the emerging Woolhope Neighbourhood Development Plan. The proposed scheme does not detract from the wider visual amenity of its surroundings and natural screening is afforded by existing built forms and existing mature planting, proposed landscaping/planting and ecological enhancements.

The development received resistance from landscape and heritage consultee, however through robust justification with assistance from chartered landscape and planning consultants, we achieved a positive result for our client. 

The success further extends KODA architects creative portfolio of replacing outdated homes and working closely with clients and other stakeholders. Further examples that showcase similar projects in the County.

Replacement Dwelling in AONB 02
Replacement Dwelling in AONB 02

 

Planning success for the revival of St. Nicholas House.4

Planning success and the revival of St. Nicholas House.

KODA Architects have have secured planning approval for the remodelling and a new glazed rooftop pavilion to St. Nicholas House, a prominent office building in City Centre of Hereford.

 

St. Nicholas House was originally built in 1970 in the centre of Hereford as a financial office. Having a number of subsequent uses recently it lay redundant creating a negative impact on the City Centre skyline. KODA Architects have been appointed and fulfilled the clients brief in reimagining this prominent building whilst creating an attractive visual asset to the City Centre Conservation Area. 

The project comprises the remodelling of the entire building and includes the recladding of the existing tired concrete structure with an envelope of contemporary Equitone rainscreen cladding. This not only greatly improves the aesthetic of an otherwise blight to the Hereford Cityscape, but also enhances its efficient sustainable future use.  The introduction of a the glazed roof pavilion adds a final element of the composition atop St. Nicholas House. This new and unique vantage point affords unrivalled elevated views of Hereford Cathedral and vistas over the City to the Black Mountains and surrounding countryside. Access to the building is completely redesigned creating an inviting landscaped transition to a new attractive entrance foyer

The extension, refurbishment and re-cladding of the building reuses an otherwise empty deteriorating building and secures its most optimum and viable use. Within the site lays a section of the Historic City Wall and rampart, KODA architects worked alongside our client and other stakeholders to overcome initial resistance from elements of the Local Authority. By doing so we have utilised the underused resources embodied with the existing structure to provide 21st century commercial accommodation and an efficient re-use of land within Hereford City centre.

The reuse of this otherwise redundant building further extends KODA architects creative portfolio of rejuvenating City Centre sites and working closely with clients and other stakeholders. Further projects that showcase exceptional commercial design in Hereford include Bastion Mews and Sullivan House.

Planning success for the revival of St. Nicholas House.2

St. Nicholas House 2
 

the revival of St. Nicholas House. 5

Conservation Architects Oxford

Restoring Thame’s Heritage: KODA Architects Lead Conservation Efforts for Fire-Damaged Grade II Listed Cottage

KODA Architects have been appointed to as Conservation Architects Oxford.

Towards the end of 2023, fire broke out in this beautiful thatched property in the heart of Oxfordshire. The fire quickly spread through the 13th Century roof structure and thatched roof as well as the neighbouring property. Yet, thanks to the quick response and dedication of Oxfordshire Fire Brigade, complete loss was of the 13th Century Cottages has been averted. Their swift intervention prevented the fire from spreading further, salvaging what could have been an irretrievable loss.

In the wake of this incident, KODA Architects have been appointed as Conservation Architects for the cottage’s restoration. Appointed as lead Conservation Architects Oxford, their mission extends beyond mere repair. It’s a commitment to resurrecting the cottage to its former glory, meticulously recording surviving historic fabric as a testament to its enduring legacy.

The team at KODA Architects approaches this task with reverence, aiming to retain as much of the original structure as possible. Elements like the 13th-century cruck frame, steeped in historical significance, will be safeguarded to ensure the cottage retains its authentic character and narrative.

The repair and restoration of this Grade II listed medieval cottage further extends KODA architects portfolio of working closely with clients and other stakeholders. Further projects showcases exceptional projects, from the restoration of Royal George House in Monmouth to the meticulous repair work at St. Michael and All Angels Church, in Herefordshire.

This restoration endeavor signifies more than reconstruction; it’s a revival of history, a tribute to Thame’s architectural heritage, and a testament to the resilience of preserving our collective past.

 

Church reordering Architects

Transforming St. Mary’s Church: KODA Architects to Lead Grade II* Reordering Project

Brecon’s St. Mary’s Church is poised for a remarkable makeover as KODA Architects takes the reins of an ambitious revitalisation project. The appointment of KODA Architects to oversee the church reordering initiative aligns seamlessly with the aspirations outlined in ‘The Beacon Project,’ aimed at reimagining historical spaces to meet the diverse needs of communities in the 21st century.

The primary goal of ‘The Beacon Project’ is to transform St. Mary’s Church into a dynamic hub for the community, breaking traditional barriers and expanding its role beyond religious services. This ambitious endeavor seeks to restructure the church’s layout, making it more accessible and adaptable for a multitude of community-centric purposes.

At its core, ‘The Beacon Project’ articulates several key objectives highlighted on the official website. Enhancing accessibility stands as a paramount focus. The project aims to create a welcoming environment, ensuring that everyone, regardless of mobility challenges, can partake in the church’s offerings.

In line with contemporary architectural trends, the initiative envisions a harmonious blend of historical integrity and modern functionality. KODA Architects, renowned for their expertise in adaptive reuse and preservation, are set to infuse the church with innovative design solutions. Their mission is to maintain the church’s historical charm while integrating versatile spaces conducive to various community activities.

The selection of KODA Architects for this pivotal project underscores a commitment to precision planning and forward-thinking design. Their expertise in reimagining heritage structures to meet contemporary needs positions them perfectly to navigate the complexities of this historical restoration, ensuring St. Mary’s Church stands as a beacon of architectural innovation and community engagement.

As Church reordering architects we are proud of our past achievements and initiatives, like the one at St. Mary’s Church, exemplify the evolution of historical spaces into vibrant community assets. These projects recognise the intrinsic value of adapting heritage buildings to serve as inclusive spaces that foster social cohesion and cultural exchange.

As St. Mary’s Church embarks on this transformative journey, the collaboration with KODA Architects signifies a profound commitment to preserving history while embracing the future. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of this landmark endeavor, as Brecon witnesses the resurrection of St. Mary’s Church as a cornerstone of community life.

For further details on ‘The Beacon Project,’ visit the [St. Mary’s Church official website](https://www.stmarysbrecon.org.uk/the-beacon-project).

Class Q Barn Conversion Success

Class Q Barn Conversion Granted in Herefordshire

KODA architects have been successful with a Class Q Barn Conversion proposal in rural Herefordshire. Working closely with TT Planning and Kytex Structural Engineers, the design team have designed a contemporary bolt hole in the Herefordshire countryside.

Originally a farm store, the barn had fallen out of use, too small for modern farming uses. Planning permission was granted to convert this delightful little barn into a highly contemporary bolt hole with fabulous views over the countryside. Working with the existing structure, existing openings were glazed, maximising light as well as views in the main living area whilst at a contrast, the rest areas are more enclosed. 

Space is maximised within the building with introducing a new mezzanine floor providing additonal bedroom accommodation over the main living space. 

The barn was recently sold and we look forward to see this smalll but mighty barn come into fruition soon onsite. We can’t wait to show the final result. 

 

 

Church Repairs Finished

Church Repairs Reach Completion

KODA architects conservation architect, has been working closely with Treasure and Sons of Ludlow in the careful repair and conservation of Grade I listed St. Michael and All Angels Church in Kingsland. This month, the works came to the end of the defect period which is a period, meaning the building has been back open to the community again following the repairs for a whole 12 months. The intensive repairs works saw the re-roofing of the nave and north aisle, repointing, as well as internal redecoration and stained glass repairs. New forest of dean stone has been skilfully carved throughout to include three new gargoyles as well as ridge crosses and copings. 

St. Michael and All Angels Church was constructed in the 14th Century with later alterations in the 15th and 16th Centuries. The building is Grade I listed and has very fine medieval glazing featured in the chancel, north and south aisles. The chancel features a very ornate painted wagon vaulted ceiling which was installed as part of the restoration by GF Bodley in 1866-68. The building features fine stone carving throughout with a number of gargoyles, grotesques and label stops, which is great to see.

The works were funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and others. It was the largest funded project by the NHLF in the region to a total of £600,000.00. The project formed a flagship project for the NHLF to inform how the organisation funded projects moving forward.

We are enormously proud of this project and the dedication by all has been showcased by the craftsmanship throughout. Check out our project page for more information and for lots of in progress and completed photographs. 

 

Student accommodation hereford section

KODA architects Design New Student Accommodation in Hereford

KODA Architects Design New Student Accommodation in the Centre of Hereford

KODA architects worked closely with a commercial developer client and TT Planning to obtain planning permission for new student accommodation in Hereford. The scheme converts a distinctive existing warehouse building in the City Centre.

The proposal converts a redundant office and warehouse building located along Widemarsh Street. The 1960’s  building formerly housed a fruit and vegetable wholesaler. As such, the building boasts a large square footage and ample space to provide purpose built student accommodation and ancillary services.

The scheme provides 27 self contained apartments that maximise the opportunities that the building has to offer with its highly sustainable location being so close to the centre of Hereford. Students will benefit from a range of generous accommodation including en-suite bathrooms and large New York style mezzanine apartment units. The scheme includes shared communal living and study area as well and outdoor roof terrace. The team at KODA have worked carefully to retain and preserve the existing 1960s modernist facade whilst maximising the unit of units within the building. 

The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) were highly supportive of the scheme stating that ‘the proposal set a new benchmark in the design quality of student accommodation‘. The scheme also includes an array of photovoltaic panels to the existing roofs that will provide low cost energy for the students. 

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Sign up to our news letter – we have news to share…

This year has already been a busy one for us at KODA architects and its set to get ever busier. To keep you up to date with what’s going on, we are in the process of developing our first newsletter which we plan will be issued out regularly. We love showing you what we have been up to with our exciting new projects both onsite and what is on the the drawing board. 

We already have our Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest boards displaying the best of KODA architects have to offer, but we want more. This year is going to be another exciting year, with several large projects starting onsite we are planning to bring you behind the scenes of what happens on a building site as well as showcasing what is in development in the office. This year, KODA architects are expanding our portfolio as well as our team and the services we offer. 

Sign up for our regular newsletter below to keep in up to date in what we are up to at KODA architects

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We Are Recruiting!

Part II Architectural Assistant Job Vacancy

This week, KODA architects Hereford celebrated its two year birthday and with a developing portfolio of work, we now have a Part II Architectural Assistant Job Vacancy. KODA architects was established in February 2019 and since this time, we have seen a wide range of growth in all project sectors. We specialise in heritage works, with a contemporary edge. We currently have a number of interesting and exciting projects in the pipeline which are set to come online over the summer months. We are a dynamic, design-led architects practice based in Hereford and due to significant practice growth we are recruiting for a Part II Architectural AssistantThe ideal candidate will have experience in the residential, commercial and developer led sectors. Some experience in the heritage sector would be beneficial but not essential.

This is an excellent opportunity for a determined and ambitious individual to learn and gain responsibility within a dynamic practice. 

Excellent communication and presentation skills are required together with a positive can do attitude. You should have strong technical knowledge together with good creative flair as you will be working on both the design and delivery stages of projects. This is an opportunity for an individual, who has attention to detail, is able to take initiative and work comfortably within the existing team.   

If you would like a fantastic opportunity to join a fast paced, growing practice with exceptional team members then please send your CV and covering letter to  info@kodaarchitects.com together with a sample portfolio. We will offer the right candidate the chance to work on high quality, design led projects together with work in other sectors the opportunity to develop their skill set over time and a remuneration package will be reflective of experience and skill set.

Closing date for applications is 15th March 2021.

Check out our INSTAGRAM page to see what we’ve been up to in out first two years. 

Cheltenham
New houses in Herefordshire

Working with English Heritage & Amazon at Stokesay Castle

KODA architects in Hereford are working closely with English Heritage and Amazon Prime at Stokesay Castle in Shropshire

This week, KODA architects Hereford has carried out a schedule of condition at the grade I listed and scheduled ancient monument of Stokesay Castle in South Shropshire ahead of the site being closed to the public until May for the filing of a period drama by Amazon Prime.

The production which is set in the medieval period is set to be aired later this year. Before the production team could move in and dress the set, a full schedule of condition was required to safeguard the historic fabric against damage. 

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

The gate house, although characterful was built much later and would not fit the medieval setting of the drama, neither did the 21st century reception or WCs. Therefore the production team had to this carefully about how to hide this interventions from the finished article. 

We are eagerly waiting for the screening of the new drama. Watch this space!

Stokesay Castle