Space by Moon Design

A Space Called Home

For over fifteen years we’ve discussed, dreamt, sketched, tweaked, designed, crafted, grafted, constructed, perfected and created beautiful spaces. But in reality, we’ve done just one thing. We’ve made homes. Somewhere for people to find true moments of happiness. To escape the chaos. Their own universe.

“Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a beautiful place.” — Hazrat Inayat Khan

This sums it up. The reason Tony and I started Moon. And the reason we’re still here today. It’s a love of making things. Beautiful things. Beautiful spaces.

It’s that human element that means so much to us. So while we’re quick to adopt new technology, we never want to lose the things that machines will never have. Soul. Passion. Joy.

Even though Moon is a very different company to the one we created fifteen years ago – completing over 300 projects will do that – an ethos of making well-designed things, working with our hands and celebrating craft remains.

Because, ultimately, that’s what we want people to feel when they inhabit one of our spaces. Nick Ross — MD

Right From The Start

An extract from the original ‘vision’ document Nick and Tony put together in 1999. It was just the two of them then, but the words still ring true. Moon’s vision is to build beautiful, functional spaces with soul; Moon holds the aspirations of people at its centre, building properties to enhance and enrich people’s lives. Moon’s goal is to generate added value through creative design solutions.

Moon’s First Marketing Effort >

The Chemistry Between Us

When I put my MD hat on (it hangs on the boardroom door) I find that my passion is less about making houses and more about making teams. Really, putting together a collective of talented, skilled and interesting people is where I find my greatest pleasure outside my workshop. With the right team, the building of houses becomes easier, the experience becomes more enjoyable and the results better. To create this chemistry, I’ve found it necessary to open our doors to talent and skillsets traditionally outside the building sector. Step inside one of the Moon offices and you’ll find an in-house team of award-winning architects, project managers, graphic designers, interior designers, accountants… whatever it takes to find that sweet spot between creativity and practicality that defines who we are.

Finding the right balance isn’t easy. There needs to be mutual respect for each other. The architect needs to understand why the carpenter is so important. It helps that we’ve fostered a culture with no hierarchy of talent. We believe a good idea is a good idea. Egos don’t come into it. If you look hard enough, I believe creativity and a sense of pride can be found in everything. Instilling this ethos throughout the team is, really, at the heart of my role. And I’m happy to say I see it at work every day. Whether it’s a design for a new build or making a cup of coffee. I’m very proud of this company we’ve created. And, as our book of projects continues to get thicker, the legacy we’re building belongs to each and every one of us.

Nick Ross — MD

Mind The Gap

What makes a Moon project different? Best to start with the problem… Traditionally, an architect designs and a builder builds. But so much can get lost in the gap between the architect’s vision and the builder’s execution. Without a clear line of communication – proper understanding – the intent for the space can get diluted and misconstrued. The vision is compromised. The results can be frustratingly bland. For fifteen years, we have been countering this disjointed model with our own unified approach. Our solution. It’s all about a coherency of intent. Creativity (this includes the builder) and practicality (this includes the architect) in perfect balance. That’s why the plus symbol in Architect + Builder is so important. A vision shared. By bridging the gap, we’re able to find the sweet spot where form and function meet. This results in beautiful, functional spaces with soul. Homes that have the aspirations of their people at their centre.

Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 1): Systainer System Simple is complicated

Iterating an idea down until you find its purest, most simple form is not easy. It takes patience, devotion and borderline obsession. But the results are worth it. The Systainer system shows what can be achieved with a clear design brief and the dedication to see it through. These ABS cases hold every single tool and component their user could ever need, from large drills to the tiniest screws. And theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re built in such modularity that every case of every size connects together. This allows users to mix and match, building their own storage monoliths. The case interiors can be further subdivided with a variety of accessories and placed on optional wheeled bases. Thanks to its endless combinations, the system has become a staple with the Moon team. While the allure and satisfaction of owning a complete storage system that all connects (think: Lego for grown-ups) has given rise to an almost fanatical following.

Space Journeys

The joy that comes from a beautiful home is unquestionable. Good architecture speaks to us. True craftsmanship satisfies. Together it creates a space where family and friends can find those moments of happiness. But creating a home that makes people happy is not just about the destination. It’s a journey. And the journey can be complicated*. And the journey can be challenging*. But it’s this struggle that leads to something more. The friction generated between form and function. It’s what elevates a project. It’s what achieves the vision. Nothing good, nothing beautiful, ever comes easy. Nor should it. It’s about finding pleasure in the process. And we’ll try and help you do the same. With good, open communication between all parties, the journey should be enjoyable. Every tough decision should feel like a satisfying act of progress and refinement. Chipping away

everything you don’t need until all you have left is the elephant**. What we don’t want is space that’s more about us than you. If that happens, we’ve failed. It needs to feel a part of you. *Words like ‘complicated’ and ‘challenging’ may seem counterintuitive in a book that’s intended for client eyes. But it would be disingenuous to say otherwise. **Not some random love of large herbivorous mammals. But reference to an apt analogy, attributed to George Bernard Shaw (amongst others): ‘A fool-proof method for sculpting an elephant: first, get a huge block of marble; then chip away everything that doesn’t look like an elephant.’ We always liked that.

The Value Of Happiness

The idea of value, and what value represents, is a complex issue. One that comes down to much more than just money.

Quality If it was as simple as saying an extension is an extension, then one costing more than another represents worse value. But, obviously, one solution is very different from another – there are a myriad of variables: specs, materials, workmanship. Building something that costs less but has little design quality, uses poor materials and fails to bring you happiness is not good value – it’s cheap. Experience Is the journey enjoyable? That is to say, did you feel part of the process? Were solutions arrived at with minimal stress? If you’re working with someone who costs less but has you pulling your hair out and asking multiple questions at every stage, you have to question if it’s money well spent. Budget Our challenge is to make the best home we can with every penny of the budget available. Efficient design. Lean construction. This requires vast knowledge, vast experience and a totally integrated approach. The designer and the maker in unison. A unison, perhaps, like Moon.

Make People Happy

At the risk of sounding like we’re perpetually stuck in 1967, everything we do, ultimately, comes back to happiness. Not just for the people whose homes we’re creating, but for our team too. As a matter of fact, we don’t think you can have one without the other. Rather than build our business around meaningless slogans, mission statements and those dreaded KPIs, we’ve built our business around our culture. People who care passionately about what they do: how it looks, the quality, the service. It’s about giving people the freedom and means to express themselves. To follow their ideas and instinct; find the pride and satisfaction in their work that they seek. This goes for the quality of workmanship, materials, designs and drawings, down to using the exact right screw on site.

Building a team of people like this – who trust each other implicitly to work toward a shared vision – takes time and effort. Fifteen plus years, in fact. It’s hard to bottle that, but it can be seen on our sites every day. The client gets this cumulative value. It’s built into every space we create. And that makes everyone happy.

Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 2): Hansgrohe iBox

Concealed beauty

Innocuous in appearance, yet beautifully considered, the Hansgrohe iBox is a testament to form following function. Invented by Alois Schรถnweger, the universal shower installation unit is built directly into the bathroom wall. The concealed nature of the device allows plumbers to connect or replace any type of shower fixture without the need for major construction work. Designed for use with all common installation systems, connection types and fittings, the rotationally symmetric box has now been used in over seven million new builds and refurbishments since its launch in 2001. The perfect example of beautiful functionality.

A Recipe For Living Emma and Libby baking in their kitchen

The kitchen has always been the heart of a home, just as it was the heart of the brief from Jonathan and Emma. A space to cook, entertain and come together. Somewhere to chat as flour spills over the counter. The delight is in the detail. German made carcasses combined with bespoke white Corian doors and work surfaces. The back units are fitted under the ground floor landing. This provides a sense of scale and a more intimate enclosure beneath the new double height space. Emma and Jonathan wanted the hob on the island to make cooking a more sociable occupation. With no ceiling above, we used a downdraft extractor. A variety of matt whites provide a timeless finish. The splashback is hand painted wallpaper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an injection of colour that can be changed as mood dictates. From this core, we worked outwards. Doors integrated into the tall back units lead to the rooms behind. At one end: a pantry, cellar and utility room. At the other: a multi-use family room. A space where the kids do their homework, play computer games and watch films. Not always in that order.

A new cantilevered staircase leads down from the ground floor, replacing the old steep and poky servantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stairs. While a large dining space leads out to the terrace, through a new extension with a large slim-framed glazed sliding wall. Jonathan and Emmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of books is put on display thanks to a double height bookcase. Following much discussion as to the correct strategy for organising the collection, a simple alphabetical approach was adopted. Down one of the corridors is a panelled door from their old house in London, used to record the heights of the children as they grew. A little bit of family history integrated into the new house. The story continues.

300 STORIES

ONE ETHOS

Moon Base: Bristol Moon Design + Build (as it was called then) started life in a spare bedroom, in a small house in Clifton. With a growing team a new headquarters was required. A property was found; a single-storey double garage that, in reality, was little more than an asbestos roof spanning between two party walls. After planning permission was agreed, work began. In the day they worked on client projects; in the evenings and on weekends they built Moon’s first home. As business picked up, this office too was quickly outgrown. The hunt for a space resumed. The perfect property was found close to Whiteladies Road. The building had been in commercial use since the 1800s, originally in the form of livery stables with living accommodation within. Transforming the building into a contemporary office space involved completely remodelling the old part of the building at the front, and building a new two-storey extension at the rear. The Coach House is where we still reside today. The difference a well-designed workplace makes to your day can’t be understated. You have to want to be there; to feel proud of your surroundings and let them inspire you. The Coach House does all of these things. At the heart of the office, the oil to our cogs, is the espresso machine. But our coffee machine sums up more than just our need for caffeine; it captures Moon’s attitude to everything. You can’t pick and choose excellence, it must permeate everything. We’re researching a second espresso machine.

Moon Base: Bath The ten miles from Bristol to Bath might not appear a substantial distance on a map; but in the South West’s cultural landscape, it’s a world away. So when we decided to venture east in 2013, we prepared ourselves for a new set of challenges. Not least a market that’s not wanting for architects and builders. To have a face in Bath, we wanted an office with a retail frontage that invited passers-by to come in, ask questions and get to know us. We chose Widcombe as it had long established itself as an area for independent thinkers and traders. It felt right. We wanted to immerse ourselves in Bath’s local community, sponsoring local events and getting involved in schools with our Archie Books. We now have a team of people who live and breathe the local area. Who know what it means to be part of the community. We’ve also been embraced by local industry – every day we come across new people, companies and stories that inspire us. With Bath’s mix of 16th century cottages, classic Georgian townhouses and 70’s terraces, there are an abundance of homes that simply do not function for 21st century living. They have smaller individual rooms that make the sociable living that most people strive for almost impossible. It’s been a great opportunity to take these amazing spaces, full of history, and transform them into special homes that retain their character. We look forward to venturing further into the beautiful surrounding villages of Wiltshire, the Mendips and South Gloucestershire.

Moon Base: Cheltenham

Moon’s recently opened Cheltenham office has introduced the Architect + Builder model to Gloucestershire and the beautiful surrounding villages of the Cotswolds. In a county where designers just design and builders just build – where clients still have to work with more than one company – our model offers something fresh to both homeowners and businesses. The new office itself was a lucky find. Having walked the streets of Cheltenham and decided The Suffolk’s was the perfect location, we spotted a closing down sign on a jewellery shop. A few weeks later, we started work on transforming the space. We’ve enjoyed becoming part of the local community, opening our doors during the Suffolk fairs for design workshops, and donating our Archie books to local schools. Cheltenham, as a city, has made a real impact on us. As well as being incredibly friendly, independent business owners are keen to get to know each other and to help one another grow. It’s fair to say: we like Cheltenham.

Make it Yourself. Make it Better.

A craftsperson’s workshop is a source of pride. They know exactly where everything is. Their tools and equipment obsessively arranged. In this environment they can hone ideas and create. The sawdust on the floor a tribute to the time and care spent fashioning just the right thing. Making to the standards they set themselves.

Our original workshop was just a small space in Clevedon where we would make kitchens and furniture by hand. When we grew out of it, we occupied an industrial unit in St Werburgh’s before taking on a much larger unit in Avonmouth. That’s where we are today, manned by a proud team of joiners and cabinet makers.

All these traits are true of Moon’s own workshop; the source of kitchens, furniture and joinery for many of our projects. And this independent approach to crafting the elements that bring a design together, this maker culture, has been there from the start.

We don’t view having our own workshop as a luxury. Far from it. It’s essential. It allows us to design safe in the knowledge that we can meet our high standards. But, even more importantly, it allows us to factor in bespoke elements from the very first design – beautiful built-in and

freestanding furniture that will form part of the architecture. This consideration avoids the pitfalls of bolting on the joinery as the design progresses. An afterthought. It’s fair to say we’re incredibly proud of the work that leaves our workshop. And we relish a chance to give a client a tour, so they can see the dedication in every detail. Just don’t touch anything.

Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part 3): The Vespa

The beautiful wasp

The Vespa is everything good about a motorbike, without the hassle. In one glorious monocoque design, the structure of the bike, wind protection and enclosure for the engine are integrated. The modern Vespa has no gearbox, chain or other parts that require oiling or heavy maintenance. The engine forms part of the rear suspension, so the heaviest component is only slightly higher than the axle line. This keeps the centre of gravity extremely low for a level of stability and sure-footedness that a normal, upright motorcycle just can’t match. It’s this ride-ability that explains why much of Mediterranean Europe uses the Vespa as the ultimate urban mode of transport. Teenagers through to grandmothers buzz around tight city streets, while the onboard storage allows a whole week’s food shop to be carried with ease.

The faff associated with a motorcycle barely registers when jumping on a Vespa. Helmet and gloves – and you’re off. In Bristol, you can park for free in any bay and you’re rarely stuck in traffic because the narrow handlebars make it the perfect weaving tool. For all its practicality, the Vespa remains a beautiful object. The handlebar enclosure sits on top of the knee guards and then sweeps down over the engine and storage compartment. The distinctive rear of the Vespa looks like the thorax of a wasp. Hence the name Vespa – wasp in Italian.

Without Breaking A Few Eggs

The clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brief was to open up the basement rooms to the rest of the house. This meant we needed to remove a large area of the ground floor at the back of the house, along with the two primary 500mm thick rubble stone spine walls to either side of the stairs. On top of this, a new glazed extension was to be added to the back of the house, improving the link with the garden and forming a new 7 metre wide clear opening in the rear wall. In short: we needed to make a bit of a (carefully considered) mess. Time was spent with both the structural engineer and steelwork fabricator to develop a structural design that would allow us to remove the required amount of the existing building, while achieving the desired open space and hiding the new steelwork. The resulting structural solution, although significant in size, was actually fairly simple. Three letterbox frames concealed within the walls and floors, with two 6.5 metre high circular columns breaking the span of the two principle frames and supporting the edge of the landing.

The more complex issue was the temporary propping required to hold the building up during the demolition and steelwork installation. We needed to make sure that once the propping was in place, we could get the steel beams and columns in through the strangely beautiful forest of props. This involved some of the steelwork having to be fabricated and laid in position before the propping was erected. One of the most unusual aspects of the final solution were the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;flat jacksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; above the new opening in the back wall. These are, in effect, whoopy cushions made from steel. They were installed between the top of the steel and the existing wall, inflated with high pressure air and then filled with a non-shrinking grout. This process forces any deflection out of the steel, avoiding any cracking when the props are removed. It was a challenging project. But the detailed design and planning meant that the process on site was generally very smooth. And the fact that, in the finished house, the large steel letterbox frames are entirely hidden is extremely satisfying.

Making doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always have to involve a hammer and nails.

Never Stop Playing When we tell people we’ve written, produced and published two children’s books, we’re often met with the same response. Why? Our response is equally blunt: why not? Making doesn’t always have to involve a hammer and nails. We originally took the plunge into kids’ books with I am the Architect, a chance to share our passion for architecture and building. Based around ten-year-old megalomaniac Archie’s mission to build the ultimate den, we aimed to inspire young minds with a story filled with humour, warmth and, thanks to the scarily talented young illustrator Rosanna Tasker, beauty. I am the Architect was sent all over the world – from England to America to Australia. It featured in school lessons across Bristol and

Bath. And it was used for Bristol Architecture Centre Children’s Week, as well as being stocked at architecture centres in America and France. But the most satisfying response to the book came from the readers themselves. Seemingly enamoured by Archie’s self-obsessed ways, we received hundreds of den designs from Archie’s fans. After picking three winners, these creations formed the basis of Archie’s den in the sequel: I am the Builder. I am the Builder saw Archie venture into the world of construction – to finish the job he started in I am the Architect. But this time, the stakes were higher as Archie and his team toiled to get their den featured on the completely fictional TV show: Kelvin McClood’s Amazingly Grandiose Designs.

Archie’s new adventure again found its audience. Kids who enjoyed the rich illustrations, playful writing and irreverent take on the stereotypes that abound in the building trade. We even managed to sneak a few messages in about the craft and creativity that, perhaps, go underappreciated in the construction industry. Hopefully, as young readers enjoy Archie’s tales, they’ll have a think about the buildings around them and how they were constructed. Maybe we’ll even inspire a few architects and builders of the future. We’d love our legacy to go beyond just the spaces we create to have an impact, no matter how small, on the community around us.

If It Ain’t Broke, It Can Still Be Fixed

In 2014, we decided we wanted to create a new local magazine, not an in-house brochure with a ‘why we’re brilliant’ missive. We decided to make something more inspiring. Something that no one else was doing. We decided to launch Form journal: a collaborative publication that would document our journey over the year, capture our passion for beautiful things and go beyond the world of Architect + Builder. It was an open brief to the curious and creative people we come across

every day. A chance to share different voices, skills, crafts, passions, arts – the stories of people who enjoy making as much as we do. The only rule was that it looked and felt beautiful. Now on our third issue, we’ve distributed the journal all over Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham and the South West. And it’s done exactly what we wanted: reinforced our commitment to creativity and collaboration. To making.

Digital Space

As much as we honour the tradition of craft, we recognise the need to embrace the freedom that the digital age affords. Harness technology to better deliver physical spaces. We’ve been designing and building our own digital hub, imaginatively called Moon HUB. The Hub is a web-based management system now used by the whole Moon team. It enables us to monitor projects from the first lead right through to snagging. It helps us to manage our purchasing and client choices process, connecting everyone and improving communication. No one else in our sector has this system (or its equivalent). It is, to use a word that’s frequently overused in today’s world, unique. A new client portal will empower people to log in to their project and review choices, minutes from meetings and project details. All the important stuff that can easily get lost in an inbox, that pile of papers in the kitchen cupboard or a tired mind.

Making. Profit. (In that order.)

Reality check: Moon is a business. We can only do what we love and employ a team of likeminded, passionate people if we turn a profit. Thankfully, one tends to support the other. We’ve learned over the years that building a culture of excellence becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy – the better work you do, the more jobs you get, the better people you attract. The better the people you attract, the better stuff you do, the more jobs you get. Our ongoing journey has now reached over 300 projects. And, like any business trying to do something different, it’s been tough at times and incredibly satisfying at others. But one thing that hasn’t changed is a total commitment to design and quality. That’s what our success is built on.

Alternative Ways To Measure Success

(In no particular order) Happiness: are we creating beautiful spaces that make people smile? Satisfaction: are we making something that works? Talent: are we receiving CVs from great people? Progress: are we re-investing profit in our business and people? Fun: are we and the client taking pleasure in the process of making homes?

This Is How Moon Works.

Initial discussions The journey always starts with you. It’s your project, your home. So, before we can start any design work, we make damn sure we know what you want to achieve. You become a fundamental part of the design process, with access to everyone involved. Our model is built on collaboration.

Concept design For us, design goes far beyond how something looks. It’s how it’s built and how it works – function and form. You need to consider the whole picture to create something great. Something that makes you proud and still works brilliantly years down the line. All concept designs are prepared by Moon’s in-house Architectural team. The ideas draw on our vast experience and help you understand what can be achieved in design and technical terms, relative to your budget. Using the traditional approach of architect and builder working in silo, this process would take months longer and cost you much more. Once we’ve prepared the concept design, we’ll invite you to our offices to discuss the proposals, looking at what you like and what you don’t. This discussion is crucial. We want you to challenge our ideas and we may challenge yours. We consider this to be part of what you’re paying us for. And, to get it right, we need you to say exactly what you think.

Budget One small word that can cause a few awkward conversations. For us, agreeing a budget comes down to what you consider good value. It’s putting a price on design, craftsmanship, time and stress levels. Having both the Design and Build teams under one roof means we can see where the costs lie and make informed decisions. We won’t pluck a figure out of the air and we won’t give you false expectations. When we meet to discuss the concept designs we’ll present a preliminary budget. This is where you can see our expertise at work. We know when to compromise, when to cut costs and when to spend. We’ll use your money wisely, treating it as if it were our own and making sure the spirit of the design stays true.

Appointment Once you’re happy with the concept design and budget, it’s time to sign on the dotted line. This requires a booking deposit payment.

Planning & Building Regulations Moon takes care of the whole building regulations process, including submission of plans and site visits. We’ve a very good track record of achieving consents in Bristol and Bath – we’re an accredited agent with many South West councils. We also have an excellent track record of dealing with listed buildings and properties within conservation areas, and can also assist on party wall matters. Moon’s in-depth understanding of building regulations informs our decisions right from the concept design stage.

Construction We build what we design. Moon’s in-house team of Architects produces all the site drawings. This means we need to know it will work. If the design is flawed or something isn’t possible, we have to blame ourselves. No pointing the finger while the project grinds to a halt. If there’s a problem, we resolve it. There’s no hiding behind the architect. We’ll manage every aspect of the construction, including services, building works, bathrooms and kitchens. It makes sense; the more we can control, the more of our expertise you’ll receive, and the better the end result will be. Unlike many of our competitors who sub contract the works to third parties, our site workers work directly for Moon. We’ve some really skilled tradespeople who’ve worked for Moon for more years than they’d care to remember. Moon’s in-house Project Management team is responsible for the delivery of all our projects.

Workshop Another unique aspect of Moon is our workshop in Bristol. This facility means we can integrate fitted or freestanding furniture into our projects with ease. The Moon Design team can consider furniture elements at the very first stage of the design process. It doesn’t become a bolt-on item at the end. This produces a very special, integrated end product. Moon kitchens are made by hand at our workshop, providing a seamless delivery of projects with a new kitchen element.

Client choices Completing over 300 projects means we’ve a fantastic knowledge of good design solutions and great products that can help you to get the most out of your space. We‘ve a dedicated in-house team of Interior Designers who can help you with all aspects of the project, guiding you through the myriad of product choices, and design solutions. This service deals with: • • • •

Kitchens Bathroom Furniture Fixtures and fittings

Payment The payment structure will depend on the scale of the project. In general, you’ll make a payment every two weeks. Most clients pay the instalments by bank transfer (BACS).

Finishing + Snagging We work very hard to keep the number of snagging items to a minimum (it’s in our interest as well as yours). But, whatever the project, there will always be some to deal with. We’ve our in-house Snagging Manager who takes ownership of any snagging items and ensures you have a completed project.

Aftercare At the end of the project we’ll prepare an Aftercare Pack for you. This pack will contain: • • • •

A copy of the planning consents Any guarantees if relevant Certificates and instruction manuals Care instructions for specialist items

We offer a standard defects liability period of six months.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve a space you would like to discuss, please do get in touch. We might be called Moon, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re remarkably down to earth.

Moon Bristol The Coach House 18 Sutherland Place Clifton Bristol BS8 2TZ 0117 973 3284 Moon Bath 10 Claverton Buildings Claverton Street Bath BA2 4LD 01225 312 977 Moon Cheltenham 28 Suffolk Parade Cheltenham GL50 2AE 01242 377 020

moonarchitectandbuilder.co.uk info@moonarchitectandbuilder.co.uk

A SPACE full of joy. A SPACE that works. A SPACE for family and friends. A SPACE for your story. A SPACE called home.