Architect in Cork for new build

trotter_inc

Hey lads.

Im looking for an architect in Cork to design and project manage a new build. We are literally at stage one of the whole build process: we have a site We already met one architect and loved his ideas on what we could build on our site, only problem is that he is quite expensive so we would like to look at alternatives.

We do not want to build a standard 2 storey house or plain bungalow, we are hoping to build something a little different and contemporary.

If anyone here could recommend someone who could help us out here I'd appreciate it. I have of course been looking around but most architects we've talked to aren't too inspiring.

Any help would be appreciated.

muffler

Moved to construction & planning forum.

Any recommendations by PM only please.

Supermouser

Contemporary - good luck, make sure you get it in writing from the planner after your pre planning meeting

muffler

Supermouser wrote: »

Contemporary - good luck, make sure you get it in writing from the planner after your pre planning meeting

This is the third nonsensical post that you have made and I have had to reply to. Where did you see anything about a pre planning meeting?

The OP is looking for recommendations for an architect in Cork and never mentioned a pre planning meeting so I fail to see what you have contributed with that comment.

Read the charter, post accordingly and we will all get along just fine.

sinnerboy

trotter_inc wrote: »

Hey lads.

Im looking for an architect in Cork to design and project manage a new build. We are literally at stage one of the whole build process: we have a site We already met one architect and loved his ideas on what we could build on our site, only problem is that he is quite expensive so we would like to look at alternatives.

We do not want to build a standard 2 storey house or plain bungalow, we are hoping to build something a little different and contemporary.

If anyone here could recommend someone who could help us out here I'd appreciate it. I have of course been looking around but most architects we've talked to aren't too inspiring.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sorry to come over a little cryptic but is the answer not contained in the question ?

Maybe negotiate with the guy but - If you can have delivered to you a home that you love ... what price is that worth ?

trotter_inc

Can I not just get some answers to my question!? Obviously not!

Of course we will try negotiate with the guy! Until then, I would like to talk to other architects.

ampjohnny

trotter_inc wrote: »

Can I not just get some answers to my question!? Obviously not!

Of course we will try negotiate with the guy! Until then, I would like to talk to other architects.

I'm applying for planning this week, was quite happy over all with my Architect although to be frank hes more of an engineer than Architect. Was a bit of a struggle to get him to see how important the asthetics are to me. He also has zero respect for alternative energies and will be against including them.

Having said that his prices were reasonable and i have seen a number of developments he got planning on and some of those were in very ...challenging locations.

They arent very inspiring but they got built - as actually getting planning on this city centre site was my over riding concern that does me fine.

I'll pm the details

Cheers

trotter_inc

ampjohnny wrote: »

I'm applying for planning this week, was quite happy over all with my Architect although to be frank hes more of an engineer than Architect. Was a bit of a struggle to get him to see how important the asthetics are to me. He also has zero respect for alternative energies and will be against including them.

Having said that his prices were reasonable and i have seen a number of developments he got planning on and some of those were in very ...challenging locations.

They arent very inspiring but they got built - as actually getting planning on this city centre site was my over riding concern that does me fine.

I'll pm the details

Cheers

Thanks for that Johnny.

muffler

trotter_inc wrote: »

Can I not just get some answers to my question!? Obviously not!

Dont piss on the dog when your hand is in its mouth

You posted here and asked for recommendations for an architect in Cork so please be a bit more patient. If you want to read our charter which I would suggest you do then you will see that we dont allow recommendations or names to posted up on the public forum.

Cork is a big place and there may not be very many people posting here that would be in a position to answer your question.

In any even one man's food is another man's poison.

MickLimk

ampjohnny wrote: »

I'm applying for planning this week, was quite happy over all with my Architect although to be frank hes more of an engineer than Architect. Was a bit of a struggle to get him to see how important the asthetics are to me. He also has zero respect for alternative energies and will be against including them.

Regardless of your "architect's" opinion of alternative energies, if he's proposing a plan for a new build that doesn't include any of these, then he doesn't know anything about building regulations.

1.2.1 This section gives guidance on the minimum
level of renewable technologies to be provided to
sho compliance with Regulation L(2(b). The
following represents a reasonable minimum level of
energy provision from renewable energy
technologies in order to satisfy Regulation L2(b):
• 10 kWh/m2/annum contributing to energy use
for domestic hot water heating, space heating
or cooling, or
• 4 kWh/m2/annum of electrical energy, or
• a combination of these which would have
equivalent effect.
For the purposes of this Section, “renewable energy
technologies” means technology, products or
equipment that supply energy derived from
renewable energy sources, e.g. solar thermal systems,
solar photo-voltaic systems, biomass systems,
systems using biofuels, heat pumps, aerogenerators
and other small scale renewable systems.

This is taken directly from the building regulations documentation (including the spelling mistakes!). Put another way, if your build doesn't meet this requirement, then your build does not meet the building regulations. Is your "architect" actually qualified? I'd be very wary of anyone designing anything for me who doesn't know the regulations...

ampjohnny

MickLimk wrote: »

Regardless of your "architect's" opinion of alternative energies, if he's proposing a plan for a new build that doesn't include any of these, then he doesn't know anything about building regulations.

1.2.1 This section gives guidance on the minimum
level of renewable technologies to be provided to
sho compliance with Regulation L(2(b). The
following represents a reasonable minimum level of
energy provision from renewable energy
technologies in order to satisfy Regulation L2(b):
• 10 kWh/m2/annum contributing to energy use
for domestic hot water heating, space heating
or cooling, or
• 4 kWh/m2/annum of electrical energy, or
• a combination of these which would have
equivalent effect.
For the purposes of this Section, “renewable energy
technologies” means technology, products or
equipment that supply energy derived from
renewable energy sources, e.g. solar thermal systems,
solar photo-voltaic systems, biomass systems,
systems using biofuels, heat pumps, aerogenerators
and other small scale renewable systems.

This is taken directly from the building regulations documentation (including the spelling mistakes!). Put another way, if your build doesn't meet this requirement, then your build does not meet the building regulations. Is your "architect" actually qualified? I'd be very wary of anyone designing anything for me who doesn't know the regulations...

Hmmm... now im a tad confused.

I can read english but this mumbo jumbo isnt very clear to me. Are you telling me unless you are including some form of (expensive) renewable energy system ie Solar/Wind/Geo thermal etc you cant get planning on a new dwelling?????

Thats INSANE!!!!

I was planning on going to town on the insulation and have included a sun room (facing west by south west) to ensure a contribution to passive heating. Would this count?

MickLimk

ampjohnny wrote: »

Hmmm... now im a tad confused.

I can read english but this mumbo jumbo isnt very clear to me. Are you telling me unless you are including some form of (expensive) renewable energy system ie Solar/Wind/Geo thermal etc you cant get planning on a new dwelling?????

Thats INSANE!!!!

I was planning on going to town on the insulation and have included a sun room (facing west by south west) to ensure a contribution to passive heating. Would this count?

Yes, according to the latest building regs, some form of renewable energy must be included in every new build. Passive heating won't count I'm afraid.

I've no idea if the planning officers would pull up a design if a renewable energy source wasn't identified in the plans submitted to them but any engineer/architect who signs off on a house being compliant with building regulations knowing it's not leaves themselves open to a lot of trouble...

sinnerboy

trotter_inc wrote: »

Can I not just get some answers to my question!? Obviously not!

Of course we will try negotiate with the guy! Until then, I would like to talk to other architects.

Look in the online planning section of your local authority website . Some research there should throw up some names for you . and / or contact the RIAI for architects in your area . Not from Munster myself , so that's all I can offer .

RKQ

I agree Micklimk. All designs must comply with the Building Regulations. Most Councils look for some form of renewable energy, at least in their Development Plans.

I assume Supermouser's comment "Contemporary - good luck, make sure you get it in writing from the planner after your pre planning meeting". Was a reference to Contempory design in Cork, a County famous for The Cork Rural Design Guide. Contemporary might not be overly welcome.

Check out some local Technicians work. Look for built contemporary designs, that you like and enquire who designed them.

Cork has a strong renewable energy community - lots of suppliers of heat pumps and solar panels are based there. Not bad hurlers either!

No6

How to achieve the renewable element with a minimum of cost, generally difficult as renewable technologies are quite expensive and the grant is now gone on new houses. Word from the horses mouth (John Gormley) is that govenrment policy is to achieve passive house standard in all new buildings by 2016. (from his address to the Sustainable Architecture Now conference yesterday in Dublin Castle) so apart from the fact that an element of renewable has to be contained in the desgin it makes sense, just pick the one that makes the most sense to you economically. In relation to the contemparory issue from the conference yesterday, the planners will have to be retrained in order to realise that low energy / low carbon / passive houses will not look like the traditional houses that they are persistanly looking for in rural areas... Burn the design guides!!!Now we can really design!!! (oh yes of course the bungalow bliss type books can go too!!...is this a form of carbon neutral renewable energy???)

Supermouser

muffler wrote: »

This is the third nonsensical post that you have made and I have had to reply to. Where did you see anything about a pre planning meeting?

The OP is looking for recommendations for an architect in Cork and never mentioned a pre planning meeting so I fail to see what you have contributed with that comment.

Read the charter, post accordingly and we will all get along just fine.

Nice to feel welcome ! !
Have you made applications??
Most local authorities recommend or even demand pre-planning meetings.

Supermouser

muffler wrote: »

This is the third nonsensical post that you have made and I have had to reply to. Where did you see anything about a pre planning meeting?

The OP is looking for recommendations for an architect in Cork and never mentioned a pre planning meeting so I fail to see what you have contributed with that comment.

Read the charter, post accordingly and we will all get along just fine.

Muffler - you don't 'have to reply'

I would have expected that as long as I'm not abusing people or privilege I am free to express my opinion. I though that this is what boards is about???

sydthebeat

Supermouser wrote: »

Nice to feel welcome ! !
Have you made applications??
Most local authorities recommend or even demand pre-planning meetings.

I am familar with preparing planning applications in 8 different counties (last year) and i have yet to have a pre-planning meeting 'demanded'....

perhaps qualify your posts with 'in my experience' or 'in my opinion' because your generalisations are not that of the experience of the majority of posters here.

Supermouser

sydthebeat wrote: »

I am familar with preparing planning applications in 8 different counties (last year) and i have yet to have a pre-planning meeting 'demanded'....

perhaps qualify your posts with 'in my experience' or 'in my opinion' because your generalisations are not that of the experience of the majority of posters here.

As a matter of interest how long did the applications take and what problems arose??

As the original post expressed a desire for a modern style design, in my opinion, many planners can't cope with design other than 'vernacular styles'

I saw one planner refuse to deal with a design the new planner passed the same house no problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know a design was submitted for a school as agreed at pre planning and refused on application by the same planner. Unfortunately the designer didn't document the meeting.

muffler

Supermouser wrote: »

I would have expected that as long as I'm not abusing people or privilege I am free to express my opinion.

This is a private site which is open to the public and people are expected to post in accordance with the general site rules and also in accordance with the forum charter. There is no free speech here and its up to the forum mods to decide what is and is not acceptable.

Do not pull a thread off topic by posting things like "pre planning meeting" which had nothing to do with the OP's query. Read the charter and do not query a mods advice or instructions in a thread. Take it up with a PM or whatever. But thats my last comment on this so do yourself a favour and do not reply to this in the thread.

Infraction given.

And welcome to the forum

muffler

Why do I bother.

Thread locked and Supermouser red carded.

muffler

On second thoughts I'll leave this open as the problem has now disappeared.


Now just to remind people. The OP was looking for recommendations for an architect in Cork. Thats it.