ARCHITECTURE Exeter’s changing landscape

DESIGNS FOR LIFE Majestic commercial buildings, sleek contemporary homes, and inventive community spaces for all to enjoy – we take a look at Exeter’s changing landscape By Imogen Davidson

Award-winning Exeter Villa, In Ex Design

© NICHOLAS YARSLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

IN EX DESIGN The team of architects, interior designers and landscape designers are on something of a high right now, what with their Exeter Villa project haing ust been shortlisted as a nalist in The SBID International Design Awards 2020 for the KBB Design Category (we loved the property so much we put it on the cover).

“We have seen an increased demand from people looking to relocate to Devon as well as from people who are looking to make alterations to their homes,” says Julie-Ann

Clements, director at In Ex Design. course a home o ce is now on eeryones brie. e nd people are looking to adapt their homes to have both working and living spaces which work together,” adds Julie.

The team are into the holistic approach when it comes to working on a project too, meaning they’ll do all the incorporation of spatial arrangements, special nishes, lighting eff ects, positioning o art, landscaping, planting schemes and more. For more: www.inexdesign.co.uk

The Coach House, In Ex Design; ABOVE: Hillside property, In Ex Design

Scott Medical building, KTA

KTA ARCHITECTS © WHY DEVON IS HEAVEN “Devon is a beautiful part of the South West with a distinct range of architecture styles and stunning locations. We love working on a diverse range of projects from listed townhouses to barn conversions. Our projects can take us from Exeter to Dartmoor National Park to the South Devon Coast.” Julie-Ann Clements, director at In Ex Design

“Exeter is a city in transformation, and we have a local authority that has a progressive attitude towards implementing good design. Exeter is unique historically, with an urban occupation of more than 2000 years; it has a good number of historic buildings that are always a challenge to work in or in the vicinity.” Eduardo Hoyos, Eduardo Hoyos Architect

KTA ARCHITECTS ©

KTA ARCHITECTS AND URBAN DESIGNERS When it comes to buildings that have a practical use or the local community, this rm scores pretty highly, they were responsible for the redevelopment of Exeter Chiefs Stadium.

More recently, KTA were appointed by Exeter Rugby Group to prepare a planning application to Exeter City Council for a new £35million 250-bed hotel to the south of the existing Rugby club. The new hotel started on site in January 2020, due to be completed in December 2021, and will boast a glazed bridge link via the existing rugby club into a reception area leading to a coffee shop and bar area with a sky bar and restaurant situated on the top oor.

The hotel offers iews to the south east towards the sea and the river exe towards Exmouth.

Elsewhere, the team are working on the mixed-use development at Winslade Park for Burrington Estates, on the outskirts of Exeter, which will proide oces, new homes and leisure facilities, all set amongst the parkland of this historic Grade II listed manor house. The team are also working on the Exeter Science Park. A huge project, this work involves the detailed design and construction of the Ada Lovelace building, a three-storey building consisting of 17000sq ft of lettable oor space dedicated to helping innoatie STEMM companies deliver extraordinary growth. This is due for completion in February 2021.

“We feel that the local construction industry

is booming,” says Richard Cord, managing director at KTA.

“KTA feel extremely fortunate to have gone from strength to strength since the pandemic has begun. part rom the oce layout adaptions, working from home scenarios, our staff haent stopped work. e are busier than ever and our pipeline of work continues to grow steadily, long may it continue.” e deeloped a study on how the affects of Covid-19 pandemic will shape ‘Space esign across many sectors which we shared with our clients and partners in the construction industry.

For more: www.kta.uk.com

Designs for the new hotel in Exeter, KTA

16A ARCHITECTURE The Topsham rm offers a complete range o architectural serices with proects arying enormously in scale and compleity, and eerything rom commercial properties to homes eaturing in their portolio. e continue to be inoled with a number o bespoke new build homes, renoations and conersion proects and hae seen a per cent increase in enuiries already this year with a lot o these being rom people moing to the area, says aughn llington, director at rchitecture. ne such recent proect was a local armhouse reurbishment, as pictured below.

The property had seen little maintenance oer the past decades and was suffering rom serious damp and decay, says aughn. rchitecture were engaged to proide design serices to re-order the accommodation to make it better suited to modern liing and to oersee a complete programme o reurbishment. orks included a complete re-roo in natural slate, new accoya timber sash windows and doors, structural alterations, tanking and insulation to meet current standards. nternally the accommodation was re-organised including a new staircase and opening up to proide a new large amily room and kitchen.

ut its not ust about the nuts and bolts o a building. esigning a home is a ery personal ourney, says aughn. ach sites pose arious opportunities and sometimes constraints. e take time to understand our clients needs and wants and to oster a relationship with our client where all parties embrace and hopeully enoy the whole eperience. uildings need to respond to their enironment but they must also meet the owners needs. For more: www.16aarchitecture.com

16AArchitecture completed this farmhouse refurbishment

This indoor pool was designed by 16A Architecture as part of a new build where the headline to the clients brief was ‘traditional Georgian architecture fit for 21st Century living’. For more: www.16aarchitecture.com

“Designing a home is a very personal journey”

EDUARDO HOYOS ARCHITECT The team here have been busy with new and existing projects during recent months, building a variety of residential homes, oce spaces and a plethora o etensions. o, what is there a great demand for right now? mall liing compacting unctions in small, but comfortable spaces is something we are seeing more of at the moment, says duardo.

“Computer advances in 3D and 4D are becoming interesting tools to visualize and experience architecture irtually rom inside beore building. ew materials responding smartly to changing climate conditions are another one. omputerised technologies used at home to control behavioural patterns of living and the always evolving tools to make architecture sustainable are other developments to look at. ■ For more: www.eduardohoyos.com

BUILDING YOUR OWN HOME? Exeter’s architects give their top tips “Look online at some examples you like in terms of look and feel. How much glass do you want, think about daylight, access and views. Think about how can you make energy efficiencies, with use of materials.” Richard Cord, managing director at KTA

“A key thing to do at the start of a project before approaching an architecture firm is putting together a wish-list for the project and what you are comfortable spending.” Julie-Ann Clements, director at In Ex Design

“Research, plan and don’t rush! From picking your design team to your kitchen; research the options and set a clear and realistic time-frame with your design team at the beginning. Once you have your planning permission take time to prepare for the build; the more that can be specified and detailed before the builder starts the smoother and less stressful (for all) the whole process will be.” Vaughn Allington, director at 16a Architect

“Have an idea of the desired size and any specific functions and features you want to be implemented in your new home; this is paramount for the initial design brief when consulting with your architect.” Eduardo Hoyos, director at Eduardo Hoyos Architect