news

all the latest news from slemish design studio

thanks everyone

A big thankyou to our social media followers

We received an email the other day from a gentleman, about how much he enjoys seeing our work on Facebook and that some day he hopes to get us to take on a project for him.

It’s great to see that people enjoy our work and we really appreciate it!!!
For the nearly a year now Joe and myself have been battering away, not only trying to make a living from it, but also to make Slemish Design Studio the best architectural practice possible.

We’re always looking at ways of improving & hope to have a few ideas in the next few months or so in place.
Liking & sharing our Facebook page helps our name and work get to more & more people….so a MASSIVE THANKS!!! to everyone so far, for all their help & onwards & upwards + keep liking & sharing ;)

from
Steven & Joe

thanks from slemish design studio - ballymena architects

marketing signboards

New signboards for our marketing campaign.
thanks to Jonny Greer at Greer Business Solutions

marketing signboards - Ballymena architects, County Antrim Northern Ireland

Portstewart eyesore no more – Attwood

this planning “law” could affect a lot more sites!!

The site of the former Strand Hotel, for many years an eyesore blighting Portstewart, has been demolished.Demolition of the site, which was abandoned over a decade ago, came about through Minister Attwood acting to ensure that a Completion Notice, a power held by DOE Planning, was served.

Alex Attwood explained: “After fourteen years, the Strand Road Hotel eyesore is no more. Some months ago my planners served, for the first time ever, a Completion Notice on the developer of the site, abandoned over a decade ago. This site was a blight overlooking Porstewart’s majestic beach. The situation was intolerable.

“The Completion Notice was served because the developer had ignored requests to clear and clean the site when £400,000 was spent on dereliction this time last year, in the run down to the Irish Open in Portrush and Portstewart. The developer did not budge. That is why I acted. The Completion Notice requires construction to be completed or planning permission would be revoked, which in one move would collapse the value of the site.

“The developer appealed the notice and a hearing on the Completion Notice is before the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) next week, on 8 May. In recent weeks however, my planners have been contacted – not by the developer – to move the situation on. I made it clear through my planners that the buildings must be demolished to foundation level and the site cleared and landscaped. I acknowledge that those who contacted my planners have now acted and the site is being cleared. 

“The location is one of the most wonderful on the North Coast, damaged by this eyesore. As we come into the summer, this will now look different and better. I want to acknowledge the representatives and residents who long campaigned for action.

“I will now look to see whether the same approach (of serving Completion Notices) can be deployed on other problem sites. In addition, next week, I am holding a summit for Councils – so that all Councils do what Belfast City Council does, deploy their substantive enforcement powers against eyesore sites. Good enforcement is the flip side of good planning. Today is an example of that.”

information taken from Planning NI website


image property of BBC

Dublin Road House, Antrim

Planning Approval granted for a one-off house situated on an infill site on the Dublin Road, Antrim.
The design of the house provides a clean lined,  contemporary house. The dwelling (circa 1200 sq ft) provides modern living space with a bathroom and three bedrooms including a master bedroom suite, (complete with en-suite). The dwelling integrates into the existing site while also maximising the use of the landscaped garden.

Dublin Road house Dublin Road house Dublin Road house

 

 

Boost for solar energy in Northern Ireland

Planning relaxes for Schools & farm buildings

Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced that schools, businesses and farm buildings will no longer need planning permission for solar panels.
The change relates to microgeneration equipment, including solar panels which generate electricity or heat from sunlight.

The improvements will come into operation on 30 April 2013 and follow on from permitted development rights previously introduced for the installation of domestic solar panels on homes.

Alex Attwood said: “This is a good boost for a cleaner, greener Northern Ireland. By removing red tape around having to make a planning application, schools, businesses and farms will be able to enjoy the benefits of solar energy much more easily. For them it will mean cheaper, greener, cleaner energy. A win for consumers and a win for the environment.

“Increasing the range of development that no longer needs planning permission will make it easier for businesses and other non-domestic properties to install renewable energy technologies. Technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps, biomass boiler housing and fuel storage containers all contribute to reducing the impact of climate change.

“It is also little appreciated that much of Northern Ireland is in a ‘solar belt,’ where the quality of light and sun makes commercial solar feasible. I want to see domestic and commercial solar grow. Renewables can be one of, if not our biggest economic opportunity.”

Trevor Dornan from East Belfast Mission’s Skainos Square said: “Skainos had solar panels installed at the design stage of the build and we are really reaping the benefits. Solar energy makes sense for the environment and for our business – we have reduced electricity/heating bills and harnessing the sun’s energy fits with our organisation’s overall green aims to reduce, reuse and recycle. I encourage other organisations to install solar panels and I believe that removing the need for planning permission will make the process easier, quicker and more economical.”

The Minister concluded: “The extension of these permitted development rights will complement my ongoing planning reforms and help promote a speedier and more cost effective and responsive service to everyone.”

Boost for solar energy in Northern Ireland Boost for solar energy in Northern Ireland

text taken from planning NI wesbite

 

Dunadry house

Site visit to our project at Dunadry House

A few images from our site visit last week..
So far on site, all the windows & doors have been installed.
The first fix electrics and joinery are complete, along with the BEAM heat recovery system

Dunadry house external
First photo is of the external elevations – the ground floor sliding doors lead to an open plan kitchen and dining area with a snug room to the right hand side.

Dunadry house internal
The internal elevation is a photo of the open plan kitchen, dining area and snug area

 

Go to our Facebook page for more images of how the Dunadry House is progressing on site.

getting away from this weather

Feed up with the weather in Northern Ireland!!!
So we’re heading to the sunshine in……Ballymote, County Sligo to see how our Renovation and Extension is coming along.

Might even squeeze in some golf in Castle Dargan while we’re there…..great start to the Easter Holidays

 

ballymote weather

randalstown renovation shown on home builder developer website

the video of our Renovation & extension project in Randalstown has been used by home builder developer website (www.homebuilderdeveloper.com)
Nice to see some of work getting noticed.

randalstown renovation

 

 

 

Dromara house planning approval

We’ve just received planning permission for our 4000ft2 house & detached garage in Dromara, County Down.
Our clients intend to make the house as energy efficient as possible, which will make the construction drawings a lot of fun for both slemish design studio and our clients.
To make matters even better, we sent in the planning application at the beginning of February 2013 & received the approval today….planning approval in just over a month!!!
If only all planning applications were all like this  :)
Our design included a large open plan kitchen and dining area leading into an orangery with fantastic south facing views to Slieve Croob Mountain.
Also included within the plans were 2 living areas, 5 bedrooms along with laundry/cinema and music rooms.

Here’s a few internal sketches we provided the clients with.

Dromara house planning approval

Dromara house planning approval

for more information check out our social media pages

ballymote, sligo extension and renovation

A quick update from our client, on how their project is getting on in Ballymote, Sligo
The old farm house is over 100yrs old, but still good enough to keep the shell of!!
With this being renovated & the extension, we’ll end up with a mix of both traditional front elevation with a contemporary extension to the rear.

We should be heading down in the next week, so stay tuned for more updates.

 

ballymote, sligo extension and renovation  ballymote, sligo extension and renovation

The sports hut

Slemish Design Studio would like to wish Cliffy & Debbie Adams all the best in their new venture on taking over The Sports Hut in Galgorm
This was one of our previous projects which has been a great success in the local area.

click here to see the sports hut project in galgorm

The sports hut

Planning approval – Dublin Road, Antrim

Planning approval in for our project in Dublin Road, Antrim.
3rd approval in that area, looking forward to seeing this go on site.

Renovation and extension, Randalstown

Slemish Design Studio Architects
Renovation and extension of a 1960′s house in Randalstown, County Antrim. The house has been remodelled to have a more contemporary look to it with new double glazed windows/white render & stone extension with balcony to the master bedroom looking over fantastic views towards Randalstown.

broughshane barn update

Just got a few photo’s emailed though for our Broughshane barn conversion.
with the windows in and the roof on, it’s starting to dry out, which gives the stone a real lift.

check out our Facebook page for more images

broughshane barn update broughshane barn update

new projects

Its been a great week for Slemish Design Studio.
With some very good meetings taking place with potential clients and also 3 new projects won this week.
New build in Broughshane, New build in Antrim and a renovation & extension to a house in Holywood, County Down