Notebook
We love sharing our thinking, our knowledge and our good news. Here you’ll find a mix of all three.
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Posts in the 'Knowledge Centre' category (view all)
Barn Conversions in the South Downs and Beyond: Celebrating Vernacular Architecture and Timeless Spaces
26 February 2025 by Nick Corrie
For those who own—or dream of owning—a barn in the South Downs, Sussex, or Hampshire, the idea of converting it…
Heritage Showcase: Tracing Architectural Styles Through Time
08 January 2025 by Simon Drayson
Architecture is a reflection of its time, capturing the cultural shifts, artistic movements, and societal values of each era.
How Can I, as a Client, Be Kind to the Planet on a Budget?
19 November 2024 by Russell McCourty
When it comes to building or renovating a space, eco-friendly choices can sometimes feel overwhelming and expensive.
Understanding Ecology & It’s Timeframes for your residential project
28 October 2024 by Andrew Pizzey
What is ecology in the built environment? Ecology is playing an increasingly significant role in the built environment.
The Seamless Connection: Integrating House and Garden from the Start
20 September 2024 by Simon Drayson
In architecture, a home is more than just a structure—it’s an environment that reflects the lifestyle and aspirations of its…
What an affordable new build home could look like
22 August 2024 by Lucia Bruton
When embarking on any project, understanding the nuances and unique challenges involved is crucial.
Other than Drawings, What Else Does an Architect Do?
12 August 2024 by Russell McCourty
When you think of an architect, the first thing that likely comes to mind is drawing – those stunning artistic…
A new Labour Government....... what does that mean for planning reform?
22 July 2024 by Simon Drayson
The new chancellor has recently announced a number of reforms to the planning system which should make it easier for…
Watts Gallery Visit
Watts Gallery Visit26 June 2024 by Andrew Pizzey
On a sunny June day the whole George & James team had we had the pleasure of visiting Watts Chapel,…
Sussex Architects
05 June 2024 by Claire Lupton
Our final list of suggested design practices that are from Sussex, where we are lucky enough to now work (and…
Surrey Architectural Practices
26 April 2024 by Darren Leach
Following on from our recent post looking at Architectural Practices in Hampshire, we thought we would create another list but…
Ideal Home Show
22 April 2024 by Russell McCourty
Recently, the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) asked me to return to the Ideal Home Show for a few…
Invest in your Garden
19 March 2024 by Darren Leach
Spring is definitely in the air! If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to get outside and…
Exploring Winchester
27 February 2024 by Simon Drayson
Winchester is a lovely walkable city, a perfect spot to either put down roots or just enjoy for a day…
Hampshire Architectural Practices
29 January 2024 by Darren Leach
We are lucky to be based in an area with a rich thread of art and architecture, which is reflected…
Goodwood House
Goodwood House18 January 2024 by Simon Drayson
We have been very fortunate to have spent some time at the Goodwood estate over the last year, the splendid…
Virtual Reality in Architecture
12 January 2024 by Darren Leach
Virtual Reality in Architecture; how we use this emerging technology at George and James so that you can walk around…
Godalming wandering
12 December 2023 by Chris Kempster
Godalming is a pretty little market town in Surrey located on the banks of the River Wey, which was once…
Permitted Development Advice
28 November 2023 by Simon Drayson
We were recently asked by Grand Designs Magazine to offer our expert advice on permitted developments that you might need…
The Art of Tailored Luxury, Customising Interiors in New Build Country Houses
21 November 2023 by Darren Leach
In the world of truly bespoke architecture, the journey from imagining a new country house to creating a home that…
Guildford Highlights
01 November 2023 by Andrew Pizzey
I recently moved to the area to join the team at George & James Architects, when looking for a new…
Taking the First Step on your Project - The Fear of the Unknown
30 October 2023 by Darren Leach
Why starting a project can be intimidating.
Hidden Costs of an Extension
02 October 2023 by Simon Drayson
We were delighted to be invited to comment as an expert for an article in the latest Homebuilding & Renovating…
Our Contact Book
29 September 2023 by Darren Leach
Our Network of Experts: The Power of Teamwork in Architecture In the field of architecture and interiors, creating exceptional homes, spaces…
Crafting Enduring Family Legacies: The Art of Designing Timeless Homes
31 August 2023 by Darren Leach
We quite often reflect on the homes that we have designed, and we try to put our finger on the…
Bricks!
06 April 2023 by Simon Drayson
Bricks are one of the most commonly used building materials in the UK.
Planning a swimming pool?
24 March 2023 by Darren Leach
Having your own swimming pool at your home is possibly the ultimate luxury for any house; not only is it…
Garden Rooms
07 March 2023 by Simon Drayson
Garden rooms can be a perfect solution to many of us looking to create additional space in our home.
Why we don’t have a ‘house style’
15 February 2023 by Simon Drayson
We are proud to say we don’t have a specific design style at George & James Architects, but what does…
Can I still afford my dream home project?
23 December 2022 by Simon Drayson
There have been increases across the board on the cost of building, alongside shortages of labour and materials, it might…
How to blend contemporary design with heritage architecture?
13 December 2022 by Darren Leach
We have been fortunate to work on several projects that have transformed period buildings, our work looks to enhances the…
Bespoke furniture?
06 October 2022 by Simon Drayson
Commissioning your own bespoke furniture is often thought of as a luxury item, our clients often dismissing the idea as…
Interior Design
16 September 2022 by Darren Leach
We are thrilled to now offer interior design as a standalone service.
How can I make my home more energy efficient?
15 August 2022 by Darren Leach
We often get asked by our clients how we can help they make their home more energy efficient, whilst we…
House Extension Q&A
22 July 2022 by Darren Leach
In this blog we are going to focus on some of the questions we frequently get asked in relation to…
Glazing, what options do I have?
30 June 2022 by Simon Drayson
What glazing options do I have? We have previously discussed the importance of introducing light and air into a home,…
Great Home Design Ideas
25 May 2022 by Darren Leach
Inspired by the inclusion of our Alloway Road project in the June edition of the Homebuilding & Renovating supplement ’50…
Transform your home, without extending
29 April 2022 by Darren Leach
It always amazes us how often we hear homeowners state that they need to extend their home in order to…
How long will a project take?
24 March 2022 by Simon Drayson
This journal entry should probably have been entitled “how long will a blog post take me to write?” as it…
Lighting - part 2
02 February 2022 by Darren Leach
Top tips for lighting your Bedroom and Bathroom In our last post, we shared our top tips for lighting lounges and…
Lighting - part 1
24 January 2022 by Simon Drayson
Top tips for lighting your Lounge and Kitchen Last summer, we shared our interior design tips from an architect’s perspective, starting…
How we can help with your project
27 December 2021 by Darren Leach
We are frequently asked by prospective clients if they have to sign up for our full services from the outset,…
Importance of Light & Air
16 December 2021 by Simon Drayson
When taking a brief from a new client, the words “light and airy” often come up, translated into ‘archispeak’ as…
What could go wrong with my project?
07 December 2021 by Darren Leach
We often think of ourselves as being risk-averse, in both our personal and our professional lives.
What do I need to tell my architect?
26 October 2021 by Simon Drayson
When meeting with our prospective clients for the first time, they often ask us “what do you need to know?”.
Working from home… in the garden?
13 October 2021 by Darren Leach
Having only recently moved house ourselves, in search of more space and like many we are still working from home…
Do I need an architect?
10 September 2021 by Simon Drayson
We are often asked by family and friends if an architect is really necessary for a construction project, which has…
How much does an Architect cost?
23 August 2021 by Simon Drayson
Architects are often thought of as providing a luxury service, and that can sometimes be true to a certain extent.
Renovating In A Conservation Area
12 August 2021 by Simon Drayson
George & James Architects were approached by Love Renovate, the online home improvement platform, to share advice on renovating within…
De-mystify the architectural design process
20 July 2021 by Darren Leach
We have rewritten the RIBA’s ‘Plan of Work’ document, in a rather more human friendly way, which we hope will…
How much does an architect cost?
14 July 2021 by Darren Leach
This is a difficult question for us to answer, as we can’t tell you exactly how much we charge without…
Advice on Using Reclaimed Bricks
05 July 2021 by Darren Leach
Sharing our thoughts on using reclaimed bricks for your next project.
The Vessel - Bathroom interior design tips, from an architect's perspective
30 June 2021 by Simon Drayson
Close-coupled or concealed cisterns? Underfloor heating? Demister pads? Are tiles always best on walls and floors?
The Womb - Bedroom interior design tips, from an architect's perspective
23 June 2021 by Simon Drayson
Bespoke wardrobes? Boutique hotel lighting design? Are carpets coming back in fashion?
The Altar - Kitchen interior design tips, from an architect's perspective
16 June 2021 by Simon Drayson
In-frame doors? Freestanding appliances? Corian worktop? What about the lighting? Decisions, decisions…
The Hearth - Lounge interior design tips, from an architect's perspective
09 June 2021 by Simon Drayson
Open or closed storage? Ceiling lights or 5-amp circuits? Solid, engineered or laminate timber floor?
How to save money on an extension
27 May 2021 by Simon Drayson
Build It Magazine asked George & James to share our thoughts on how best to save money on an extension project.
How an architect can improve your home and your well-being
17 June 2020 by Simon Drayson
George and James Architects discuss how engaging their services can add value to your property in more ways than one.