Keep up to date with planning news, sketchbook ideas, press and publications here.
By Paul
We’re delighted to announce that our project Long Barn has won the award for Best Timber Frame Home at the Build It Awards 2024. The frame was manufactured by Timber Innovations, who we have worked with on several projects. There are many benefits to designing a home with a timber frame. One of the key considerations is that the frame can be manufactured off-site,...
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By Christophe
Sometimes, the best solutions have existed for years. This is the case with hemp. Hemp is becoming known as an excellent material to use in construction, bringing wide-reaching benefits not only for the environment, but for our health. How is hemp being used? Hemp is a natural, organic crop that can be grown in the UK. Currently, we don’t have many farms growing...
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By Christophe
Obtaining planning permission for new homes has become more challenging in the last few years. It’s never been more important to work with a consultant who understands the constraints of your specific project and the local planning process. The main reason gaining planning permission has become more complicated is the increase in legislation in many areas of...
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By Paul
This year, biodiversity has climbed developers’ list of priorities. Although the government has delayed biodiversity net gain legislation again, from February those creating large schemes will have to provide a biodiversity net gain of at least 10%. For smaller developments – ten homes or fewer – the new rule will apply from April 2024. This is a great...
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By Lizzie
The TAS Architects team was recently invited to take part in a life drawing class by Silent Gliss, which supplies interior window coverings. We were so excited about the chance to pick up the charcoal that most of our team went along. During the evening, we experimented with different mediums, including felt tips, and learned about various techniques to get going....
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By Christophe
This is a decision facing many people looking to create their ideal home: should they renovate an existing building or knock it down and start again? There are many factors to consider, not least cost, design potential and sustainability. We’ve pulled together some of the key considerations in the renovate or rebuild debate to help you reach a decision. Each...
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By Paul
The TAS Architects team can boast a new skill: spoon carving. We took some time out of the studio to learn about types of trees and how to create a spoon from a simple block of wood. Our workshop was led by Jonah Maddox of Hertswood, who makes beautiful items from many types of wood, from bowls and vases to bird tables and shelves. And, of course, spoons. He often...
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By Paul
We are excited to have submitted a planning application for a scheme of nine low-energy homes in Hertfordshire, in a beautiful village setting just outside Tring. As well as the mixture of three-bed and four-bed homes, the scheme will provide a communal garden and planting zones to enhance biodiversity across the site. TAS Architects’ designs for the new dwellings...
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By Paul
After a two-year process, Three Rivers Council has granted planning permission for a scheme of two detached houses designed by TAS Architects, and in collaboration with Base Developments. The inventive, low-energy homes are set within the Hertfordshire greenbelt that surrounds the village of Kings Langley. This is the second scheme that TAS Architects has worked on...
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By Paul
TAS Architects has designed a new low energy sustainable home in Hertfordshire for a couple and their four children. Our brief was to provide spacious and versatile living areas that maximise natural light and provide a feeling of a cozy, warm home that’s comfortable and functional. The home is orientated to make the most of the sloping south-facing garden and...
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By Lizzie
We were delighted to find out that our Listed Building Extension has been Highly Commended at the RIBA Suffolk Design Awards 2022. The judges said, “A fun, yet well-articulated, contemporary addition to this a timber framed home, bringing much needed height and light into the property and a connection to its well-established garden. Taking its lead from the...
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By Lizzie
We were delighted when Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine asked if they could feature Loxley Stables in their October 2022 issue. The article focuses on Paul and Sophie’s self-build house, but expands on the collaborative nature of the three-house development and the context of the build. The development is rural and within the curtilage of a listed...
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