Cycle storage – If you have the space, consider cycle storage. Create somewhere that is user friendly for bikes to be used on a regular basis. This will encourage the use of a bike to cycle to work or to the shops, rather than use a car. Using a bike is beneficial for your health and wallet with money saved on car fuel! 

Space for clothes drying – We all have to do it, for at least 8 months of the year either we use a dryer or the airer to dry our clothes in our home. Consider a dedicated space within your home or in an outside area that is suitable for the drying of clothes. This provides an alternative to using a tumble dryer which can use a lot of energy and add to your utility bills.

Recycling and Composting Facilities – When designing a new kitchen it is a really important to factor in the space needed to provide suitable separate waste and recycling bins within a cupboard. Consider it early in the design to avoid unsightly bins placed next to your beautiful new kitchen cupboards.  

Sound Insulation – When refurbishing a home it is a good opportunity to improve the sound insulation of dividing walls between other dwellings. This is especially useful if the walls are to have thermal insulation installed anyway as part of the refurbishment works. Noise travelling through dividing walls and floors can make for an uncomfortable living situation for the occupant, whether it is hearing conversations from an attached dwelling which is known as ‘airborne sound’ or footsteps from the dwelling above which is known as ‘impact sound’.

External Water Use – If your home has a private or communal garden, there may be an opportunity to install a rainwater collection system, such as a water butt, to use less mains water when watering the garden.

Water meters – Knowing how much water you consume by use of a meter and a visible display can be a good way of raising awareness of water use and identifying how much you can reduce water use in the home.

For more information on sustainable construction follow this link  https://tools.breeam.com/filelibrary/Brochures/63945—Sustainable-refurbishment-of-domestic-buildings-using-BREEAM.pdf

We are passionate about a practical and sustainable approach to home renovation and building works. Our vision is to make institutional-quality professional advice accessible to all homeowners, no matter the size of project you are planning, your budget or your location. 

We would be delighted to discuss with you improving your home environment.

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk  Or call us on 0207 228 8522

The post Designing with the Environment in Mind appeared first on Stuart James Associates.

Here are three social sustainability aspects to consider within your project.

Noise

Noise from an occupied dwelling can travel to the properties within the same building envelope, such as a block of flats, very easily. The worst case will be when the separating walls do not have acoustic insulation. Noise can also travel beyond a building envelope where houses are constructed in close quarters such as terraces of houses. If you are about to embark on a refurbishment of your home, consider the opportunity to inspect and improve sound insulation of separating partitions (walls, floors and ceilings) to improve the impact of noise between you and your neighbours or even internally between your rooms.

If the works you are undertaking have received planning permission, the permission will state times during which the building works may be undertaken.  It may be that you are allowed to start works at 8 am, but it could be through discussion with your neighbour, that starting from 8.15 am would better suit them.  This simple consideration would be appreciated and might have limited impact on your project.     

Light

As part of the design process for any extension, consideration should be made regarding the amount of daylight your neighbours receive. This will be reviewed and considered by the Local Authority as part of any Planning application. This area is prone to subjectivity in conclusions (no development will in many cases be the backstop to ensuring rights of neighbours are continuing – but this approach does not provide a solution in a project situation!). Responsible and sustainable design will consider light aspects through design development in order to provide objective thought to protect the rights of all involved.

Party Wall

Speak to your Neighbours. This can be rare in London! It is worth a conversation before any planning submission is made and before any building works start.  Nobody wants to live next door to a building site. Click here to read more on our party wall blog and our recommended altruistic approach. Such an approach and investment can preserve and even improve your long term neighbourly relations.

We are passionate about a practical and sustainable approach to home renovation and building works. Our vision is to make institutional-quality professional advice accessible to all homeowners, no matter the size of project you are planning, your budget or your location. 

We would be delighted to discuss with you improving your home environment.

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk  Or call us on 0207 228 8522

The post Neighbourly Considerations and Social Sustainability appeared first on Stuart James Associates.

In the course of our work we constantly work with and meet with like-minded professionals.  One of the talented people we have met is Kate Ibbotson from ATidyMind.co.uk. 

As a leading home organiser and decluttering expert, ATidyMind provides a service that works in symbiosis with SJA to offer a holistic approach to #dontmoveimprove.

So we asked ATidyMind to share their thoughts for making the most of your new space in your home. 

Below, Kate exclusively shares her top five tips to enhance your home following your home transformation project.

As a Home Organiser and Declutterer, I see a lot of homes. I’m in the lucky position of being called in to help those who are struggling with disorder and chaos and I have one simple aim – to create calm within homes. To help people make the very best of their space and to construct a sanctuary. We all deserve that refuge – a place where we feel we can truly relax and also be energised and inspired. I believe that is achievable for everyone, whether they live in a single room or a six-bedroom house, but it’s so important to lose the clutter in order to let the things of beauty and value shine brighter. And it’s essential to run a home with the right organisational systems, so that home feels ordered and the mind feels clear and full of clarity.

There are some simple rules I swear by to make your space more harmonious and create a sense of peace both in your home and head. Below I share my five top tips to enhance your home:

Declutter first 

Lots of physical possessions in a home can cause a feeling of stress and overwhelm. You pay a price for every single thing you allow into your home – you have to store it, maintain it, clean it and think about it!  If you move onto the organising and storage part before decluttering, you’ll be organising forever – so focus on getting to the stage where you only own things which add true value to your life in some way – either because it’s useful, like a potato peeler or because it’s meaningful, like a letter from a loved one. To make it manageable, declutter in bite-size chunks of between 30 minutes and a couple of hours. Focus on contained spaces such as a drawer, cupboard or shelf. Arm yourself with paper and a pen to make notes of ‘actions’ and designate rubbish, recycling and donation bags.

Have a place for everything

Assign a permanent ‘resting place’ to each and every possession, especially for items which tend to accumulate in ‘clutter hotspots’ For example, if the entryway tends to be a dumping ground for bags, attach hooks to a wall to create a specific home for them. Try not to ‘walk empty handed’ – in a modern home, things are constantly being used and moved so you need to consistently put things back in their ‘homes’ or in the recycling or the bin. The easiest way to do this is to tidy up as you move through your home. It negates the need for a regular big tidy ups and your house will stay in order.

Create ‘corners of joy’

No matter how compact your home might be, you can create happy corners and spots within it. This could be a noticeboard with a collage of cards and mementos, a reading nook next to a window, shelving containing a collection of inspiring reading and knick- knacks or a meditation area complete with cushions. These spaces can be used as retreats to escape to when you need a moment of calm. Don’t forget the power of lighting in these areas – you can also use mirrors to reflect light or lamps, candles and fairy lights to create soft pools and a warm ambiance.

Create a kitchen command station

In my experience, the kitchen area tends to be the hub of the household. Creating a ‘command station’ will provide you with a dedicated space to rule the roost with complete efficiency. The command station should include a place for sorting post, an action tray for those things you can’t deal with straightaway, a device charging station, a calendar, and somewhere to keep notes, such as a whiteboard. If you lack storage space, utilise the walls and the full height of the space you have to work with.

Be a conscious consumer

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, if you want a harmonious home, you have to be fiercely protective of what comes into it and work at this daily. Avoid picking up items just because they are free and be intentional about what you buy. If you have even the tiniest doubt about a purchase, don’t make it, because it will likely end up as clutter.  If unsure, exercise a ‘purchase pause’ – hold off and see how you feel in a week. Whist you’re at it, reconsider buying in bulk. It may save money but the loss of space might not be worth it. The beauty of being a conscious consumer is that you will end up with more disposable income – perhaps to use to remodel or extend your home and gain even more value out of it.

Kate Ibbotson is a Declutter Expert, Professional Organiser and Life Simplification Coach, supporting overwhelmed people across the UK (and beyond) to organise their homes and simplify their lives. She is the owner of A Tidy Mind.

The post SJA’s collaboration with A Tidy Mind appeared first on Stuart James Associates.

In some cases, you may not be living in your home while the works happen, but in others you may choose to live in.

Either way, starting the build in the right way can help with the environmental impact of such works.  Talk to your builder about some of the following, it could also save you some money….  

Tips for saving energy and water during construction

Energy

• Switching off equipment and tools when they are not being used.
• If using temporary generators, can their use and size be limited appropriately.
• If temporary lights are being used, can these be energy efficient lights.
• Can the heating be switched off in rooms which are open to the elements.
• Can works be planned to avoid the need for assisted drying out. 
  
  

Water

• No taps left running.
• Use trigger guns on hoses to control the use of water.
• Materials
• Controlled ordering, just what is needed, to avoid over ordering and waste.
• Packaging – consider recycling the packaging that materials arrive in, where possible.
• Where are the materials being delivered from.  Consider distance of travel, can one supplier provide a number of items, programming and timing to limit deliveries.
  
  

Skips

In London, there is often not enough space for one skip, let alone a number of skips for different types of waste.  If only one skip can be used, then the waste contractor can separate the waste offsite instead.

All these small actions above require just that little extra thought by you and your contractors, but they have a huge overall effect on the environment and can also provide financial savings in energy use and material costs.  

At SJA we are passionate about this extra thought and consideration and we’d be delighted to talk further with you on this or on any specific aspect of your project. 

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk  Or call us on 0207 228 8522 #dontmoveimprove #savethestampduty #spenditonyourhomeinstead 

The post Considering Sustainability During Construction appeared first on Stuart James Associates.

More than adding space 

If you’re thinking of undertaking a home renovation and extension project, the process can be daunting but for the brave there are plenty of sustainable opportunities.  

• Enhance the value of a home and its neighbourhood
• Improve your day-to-day environment
• Reduce your energy bills
• Live more sustainably

London’s housing stock is some of the oldest in the world. 50% of the housing stock is more than 50 years old (Ref; Breeam). This old stock brings with it high utility bills and maintenance costs. Draughts, damp and poor insulation impact negatively on our health. Further to this a Government initiative is under way looking at linking the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of your home to your council tax (Ref; Telegraph).

When a property is being renovated or extended, it is the perfect time to consider what wider opportunities there are for improving the sustainable performance; economically, socially and environmentally. Including ways to improve the; energy, water, daylight and ventilation efficiencies.  

It is also important to consider how the construction side of the project is managed. Build projects can create a strain on local highways and local services. Attention to good construction management principles will ensure that the project runs effectively and lowers the impact on your neighbours and the wider environment. It can also help to reduce the maintenance burden on local councils. 

By including all the sustainable concepts available in the renovation and extension of your home you will achieve lower running costs and a healthier internal and external environment. Sustainability is an opportunity to improve the way you, your family and your neighbours live. For further information please review the Breeam guide referenced above and look out for our next installment.

Embrace sustainability and make the most of the opportunity that renovation can bring! 

At SJA we are passionate about the sustainable solutions and we’d be delighted to talk further with you on this or on any specific aspect of your project. 

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk  Or call us on 0207 228 8522

#dontmoveimprove #savethestampduty  #spenditonyourhome

The post More Than Space appeared first on Stuart James Associates.

There is a widely accepted belief that our lifestyle choices are impacting the world in which we live; climate change. An eco-home is one which has a minimal impact on climate change; reducing the standard greenhouse gas emissions caused by a domestic property. In 2015 13% of greenhouse gas emissions came from the residential sector and 27% came from energy production (Ref; Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit). About a third of that energy production relates to the residential sector. The residential sector therefore accounts for about a fifth of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. An eco-home is one which results in minimal greenhouse gas emissions. The main considerations for producing eco-homes are;

• Extra insulation, above the minimum amount required by the government.
• A higher level of airtightness, than the standard required by the government.
• High levels of daylight.
• Good double or triple-glazed windows.
• Passive and active solar measures where possible; glazing oriented south for light and heat.
• Thermal mass to absorb that solar heat.
• Minimum north-facing glazing — to reduce heat loss.
• PV (photovoltaic) panels, small wind turbine or electricity from a ‘green’ supplier
• Natural materials.
• Rainwater harvesting.
• Greywater collection and reuse.
• Composting toilets.

At SJA we are passionate about helping our clients achieve eco-homes, either new build or refurbed, through implementing the above methods where possible depending on the existing and inherent constraints of the site.

The approach we recommend is to consider what suits your home, how you live in it and the type of renovation you will be undertaking. 

For example, if you are undertaking a loft extension, to install improved roof insulation would be the first thought, could PV panels also be suitable?  

Consider the specification of the velux windows, and / or the new glazing generally, what is the cost vs. benefit of a slightly improved specification beyond the standard?  Just a little extra thought into the specification, detailing and treatment can make such a large difference to the energy efficiency and also your future utility bills!

Having an ‘eco’ approach to your home should not only be about bolt on technology (eco-bling).  There are cost efficient improvements that you could start with, even if you were not undertaking a build project.

Below are just a few ideas to consider for your home:

• Airtightness or draught-proofing:  Low cost installation with continued savings on your energy bills.   
• Insulation: Is a key element to improving thermal performance of your home. Where possible, improve this. Floor, wall, roof, attic internal and external insulation options.
• Recycled materials:  Consider trips to the salvage yards before buying new.  Upcycling chic!
• Green the plot:  If you’re lucky enough to have any outside space in London, reducing the hard standing as much as you can is beneficial to wildlife, fauna and of course, drainage.  
• LED lighting:  Changing your bulbs for LED lamps can have a big impact on electricity consumption.   
        

For more ideas and tips follow this link.

Remember, this is your home, it has to be a comfortable, practical space and ultimately a liveable space for you and your family.   Any improvement, is an improvement. 

Team SJA are passionate about a practical sustainable approach to home renovations and building works.  We’d be delighted, and encourage, you to discuss with us improving your home both in terms of space and overall environmental impact.

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk  Or call us on 0207 228 8522

The post What is an Eco Home? appeared first on Stuart James Associates.

What you may not know is the choice of materials has a wide-ranging impact on the environment.  Cost and environmental impact are always linked but good early consideration in material selection can help control both, whilst also achieving the aesthetic you want.

A lot of building materials are hidden within the structure, walls, floors and ceilings, so the aesthetic value in those elements is not important. It is these elements that can often have more environmental impact. 

If you can save money and identify ways of using lower environmental impact materials as well, then it is a win win.

Below are a few points for consideration when selecting materials, and/or in discussion with your builder about where they source materials;

• Is it possible (or appropriate) to use locally sourced materials? 
  
• If not, how responsibly sourced are the materials – e.g. sustainably sourced timber (Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber)
  
• Is it possible to get a material with a high recycled content? 
  
• Can ordering quantities be more precise to reduce waste and recycling?
  
• Is it possible to use non-toxic materials and refrigerants with a low environmental impact potential?
  
• Use of materials with a low embodied energy; timber windows and doors, and less PVCu.
  
• Can a more durable material be used?
  
  

Most of the above points can be considered without impact on the design and with a controlled impact on the cost. They will all improve the environmental performance of the property.  

Materials used in building works impact on the environment. By considering the environmental impact and choosing those materials which have the minimal impact you will be helping to reduce not just your personal environmental impact but also the environmental impact across the construction industry.

At SJA we are passionate about this extra thought and consideration and we’d be delighted to talk further with you on this or on any specific aspect of your project. 

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk  Or call us on 0207 228 8522

 #dontmoveimprove #savethestampduty #spenditonyourhomeinstead

The post Sustainable Specification appeared first on Stuart James Associates.

Consider these seven tips before the start of design on your project:

1. Scope – What is it that you want to achieve from your project? Be clear in your mind on what you would like to achieve, and the brief for the designer. This reduces redesign costs.

2. How will you be using the new space? –Really consider what you will be using the space for and how. Consider furniture requirements, technology, future use.  

3. Budget –Make sure you have a realistic budget and a way to finance your project. Always have a contingency!

4. End Goal – A build project is not easy. There will be tough and emotional times throughout the journey! What do you want the space to look and feel like? Consider mood boards. Pinterest and other similar online apps are great scrap book collector tools and can really help a designer understand your aspirations.

5. Timeline – Projects are often a once in a lifetime opportunity. A home redesign takes time. Have a realistic timescale in mind and allow time for project development. Consider holiday times, demolition and potential for temporary housing for you and the family during the build.

6. Storage – Consider storage of your belongings through the build.Depending on the extent of the works this could mean off-site storage, which is additional cost and energy in packing and organising! Also, in every house there is rarely enough storage! Always try to consider where additional storage can be positioned. Another part of the brief for your designer. 

7. Future Proofing –Consider your next steps in life…… Will there be more of you in the future, or less if you have older children. Consider this and relate back to your end goal….. Is the project for the short term or is it for the long term?

Appoint SJA! And get your project started. 

Do phone us and speak to a member of the SJA team today on 020 7228 8522 to discuss the possibilities for your home!

At SJA we are passionate about home design and we’d be delighted to talk further with you on this or on any specific aspect of your project. 

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk   Or Call 0207 228 8522

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We’d recommend you and your builders keep in close contact with neighbours through the build and make sure concerns are dealt with.

If your neighbours raise concerns with you or your builder during the project that there may be damage to their property please log this with a photo and send this to us.

We don’t in most cases need to wait until the project is completely finished to sign off on party wall process. However there are some exceptions; for instance with work involving basements where there is underpinning of party walls. With this work we’d recommend waiting 6 months. We’ll inform you if we think there’s an exception.

If you have any queries on the right time through the project do get in touch.

At SJA we are passionate about home renovation projects and we’d be delighted to talk further with you on this or on any specific aspect of your project. 

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk  Or call us on 0207 228 8522

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A full building survey undertaken by a chartered building surveyor will provide:

• The most extensive general property investigation and report readily available today.
• A comprehensive analysis of your property. 
• Inspection of every visible, exposed and accessible area of the building.
• Information on defects and their probable causes.
• Information on further investigations to confirm causes of defects.
• Information on the costs of remedial works.
• Can be particularly beneficial for older (pre. 1900 construction) and listed properties, to fully understand their composition and eccentricities.

Buying a home is the most expensive purchase that most people will undertake in their lifetime. Around 80% of homebuyers will not invest sufficient time or money in finding out if the property is in a good condition. They often rely on the simpler or free surveys; damp, asbestos etc. Investing in a full building survey will ensure you are as informed as possible on the condition of your future home.

When purchasing a property, a full building survey will provide you with the information to help you make an informed decision about buying the property. It may also provide information to help you negotiate on price. Obviously other market forces affect the price of a property. If the report highlighted a specific defect and an indicative cost of fixing it this could give you a tool for negotiating the price or persuading the current owner to undertake the required remediation works before the purchase is completed.

The photo above shows a property where we undertook a full survey. You may have thought there were no defects. However, in Figure 2 we have shown some of the defects the chartered building surveyor noted during their survey. In this instance the client used the findings of the building survey report to negotiate a reduction in the price of the property. They were also able to fully plan their proposed extension and the SJA architectural team has just achieved planning consent for a rear extension.

If you are planning construction work, having owned your property for a few years a full building survey is also vitally important. The added benefit of working with Stuart James Associates on the survey is our multi-disciplinary understanding and approach to development and design. The survey work allows for early consideration of your project and can be used as an investment in starting to consider how we might best help you on a future project brief and the options for a potential building project, as was the case for Property A in Figures 1 and 2.

Here at SJA we understand the importance of your time. So once approached by you to undertake a full building survey we will clearly set out the time required to survey the property and provide you with the report. We will also be able to review the impact to the of proposed works to the property be it removing a wall, a loft conversion, ground floor extension or basement.

At SJA we are passionate about this extra thought and consideration and we’d be delighted to talk further with you on this or on any specific aspect of your project. 

Get in touch on office@stuartjamesassociates.co.uk  Or call us on 0207 228 8522

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