Great to see our project in Ballyronan starting on site.
Architects - @sdsarchitects
Contractor - @nelsonconstructionltd
Engineer - @jscconsulting
Posts Tagged ‘Architects’
Ballyronan Project Started on-site
The Architect’s Guide to Designing Your New Build Home
Designing a new build home is an exciting opportunity to create a space that is perfectly designed to your needs and lifestyle. However, it can also be a scary task, with so many factors to consider. Here is a guide to help you through the process, from finding the right architect to making the most of your budget:
1. Choose the right architect
Your architect will be your partner throughout the design and construction process, so it is important to choose someone you trust and who understands your vision. Look for an architect who has experience in designing new build homes and who has a portfolio of work that you admire.
Belfast Telegraph Residential Architects of the Year
2. Set a budget and time frame
Once you have chosen an architect, you need to set a budget and time frame for your project. Be realistic about how much money you can afford to spend and how long you are willing to wait for your new home to be built.
3. Develop a brief
Your brief will outline your requirements for your new home, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the type of layout you are looking for, and any specific features that you want. The more detailed your brief is, the easier it will be for your architect to design a home that meets your needs.
4. Analyze the site
Your architect will need to analyze the site of your new home to determine factors such as the orientation, lay of the land, and soil conditions. This will help them to design a home that is both affordable to run & enjoy.
5. Create a design
Once your architect has a good understanding of your needs and the site, they will begin to create a design for your new home. This process will involve developing sketches, producing floor plans, and creating 3D models.
Architect working on 3D model of new build home design in Straffan, County Kildare
6. Get planning permission
Once you have agreed on your final design, you will need to apply for planning permission from your local authority. This process can take several months, so it is important to start early.
7. Build your home
Once you have planning permission, you can start building your new home. This process will be managed by your architect and will typically take around 12 months to complete.
Internal build (dining room) of our project in Racavan, Ballymena.
The glazed link looks out towards Slemish Mountain & a new courtyard & pond.
Tips for making the most of your budget
- Be clear about your budget from the outset and work with your architect to develop an affordable design.
- Consider using sustainable materials and construction methods, which can save you money on energy bills in the long run.
- Don’t be afraid to negotiate with suppliers and contractors.
- Be prepared to make changes to your design if necessary.
Conclusion
Designing a new build home is a complex process, but it can be incredibly rewarding. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your project runs smoothly and that you end up with a home that you love.
Additional tips
- Think about the future when designing your new home. Will you need more space as your family grows? Will you need to make any accessibility modifications as you get older?
- Consider the sustainability of your home design. Can you incorporate features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and green roofs?
- Don’t forget about the outdoor spaces. Make sure you have enough room for a garden, patio, or balcony if desired.
- Finally, don’t be afraid to express your personality in your home design. This is your chance to create a space that is truly unique to you.
should you have a project you’d like to discuss, feel free to contact our office or via our social media channels.
We cover all over Ireland & the UK doing commercial & residential projects.
Septic tank grant in the Republic of Ireland more than doubles
Septic tanks grants to double in the Republic of Ireland
Ireland is doubling grants for homeowners to upgrade their failing septic tanks, from €5,000 to €12,000, starting January 1, 2024. The move is intended to encourage more people to repair, upgrade, or replace their septic tanks after a report showed that half of all septic tanks inspected in Ireland are failing.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report also found that 20% of septic tanks inspected last year posed an immediate risk to human health and the environment. Failing septic tanks can release raw sewage into gardens, fields, and local water sources, including drinking water wells.
Inspection rates for septic tanks remain low, with only 1,143 inspected last year. Local authorities are responsible for inspections and maintaining a register of septic tanks, but not all tanks are registered.
To apply for a grant, homeowners must have their septic tank registered. However, the new changes remove the requirement that the tank must have been registered before 2013.
Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said the changes will help households, particularly those in rural Ireland, by easing the financial burden of upgrading, repairing, or replacing their septic tanks. He said the changes will also encourage more people to avail of the grant and help reduce the risk of environmental impact from defective tanks.
The move comes amid growing concerns for water quality in Ireland’s rivers and the fish and other wildlife dependent on them. A national inspection plan for septic tanks was announced last year, which states that at least 1,200 inspections must take place each year. Inspections will focus on areas near rivers and areas with shallow soils, with a greater risk to water quality and household wells.
Around 200 householders received grants last year, at a total cost of around €1 million.
Discuss your project with us at SelfBuild Live Belfast
We’re happy to say that Award-winning architects, Slemish Design Studio, will be exhibiting at this year’s Selfbuild Live 2023 in the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to discuss your project with our Award-Winning SDS experts!
You’ll find us in Hall 1, Stand H36, all weekend from Friday, 13th October – Sunday, 15th October.
Selfbuild Live Belfast is the ultimate showcase for people who are building, extending, improving or simply decorating their homes. Visitors will benefit from the advice of hundreds of local companies, including the opportunity to discuss your own project with experts in a 1-2-1 setting. The Theatre Talks and interactive stands are there to further inspire and engage, revealing the many options and solutions available to you and your home.
The good news for all you Ballymena folk attending is, that there are free tickets available ….. Yes, you heard that right, free tickets!!!!
Click on the link – FREE TICKETS
See you all there for a packed weekend and if you are feeling generous after getting free tickets, you can buy us a coffee for standing there all weekend 🙂
Architectural stages for a new house
The architectural stages for a new house are the steps involved in designing and building a new home. These stages include:
- Preparation and Brief
In this stage, the architect will meet with you to discuss your needs and requirements for your new home. They will also gather information about the site, such as the size, shape, and orientation of the land.
- Concept Design
The architect will develop a preliminary design for your home based on your needs and requirements. They will create sketches, computer models, and 3D visualizations of the design.
- Spatial Coordination & Planning
The architect will liaise with the local planning authority and relevant consultees to ensure that the design complies with all planning regulations. They will also coordinate the design with other professionals involved in the project, such as engineers and surveyors.
- Technical Design – Building Control
The architect will produce detailed plans, sections, and construction details for your home. These drawings will be submitted to the local council for Building Control approval.
- Tender drawings and schedules
The architect will produce a set of tender drawings and schedules for your project. These documents will be used by contractors to price the project.
- Construction
The construction phase is where your home will be built. The architect will oversee the construction process to ensure that it is completed in accordance with the plans and specifications.
- Handover
Once the construction is complete, the architect will hand over your new home to you. They will also provide you with a set of as-built drawings and documentation.
The RSUA architectural stages for a new house provide a comprehensive framework for the design and construction of your home. By working with an architect who is familiar with these stages, you can ensure that your project is completed on time and on budget.
Here are some additional tips for working with an architect:
- Be clear about your needs and wants.
- Be prepared to compromise.
- Be patient.
Building a new home is a big project, but it can be a very rewarding experience. By working with Slemish Design Studio Architects and following our architectural stages, you can ensure that your dream home is a reality.
We work all over Ireland & the UK from extensions in Cork to New builds in Dunfanaghy, along with projects in Manchester & London.
Should you have a project in mind, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via our website or social media.
Thoughts on 2022
As we come to the end of 2022, there is much to reflect on and celebrate.
2022 has seen Joe & I enter our 10th year as an architectural practice.
Something we’re extremely proud of & hope to continue to do what we’re doing for the next 10 years & beyond.
A special thank you goes out to our team, Scott, Mike, Martin and Elaine who have worked as hard as ever this year to keep us at the front of architectural design in Northern Ireland & further afield.
To all our clients, family & friends and everyone else on social media, that continue to support us, we thank you so much for everything
House & Home Magazine put us in their little black book of the top 20 architects in Ireland.
Ulster Tatler published us in their 20th Years of Interiors Top Architects
In October, we won the @Belfasttelegraph Smart home innovation awards for a second time – “The leading smart home architects in Northern Ireland” was how we were described.
Innovative Use of Smart Home Technology: Slemish Design Studio Architects
Residential architects award, with 2 times smart home technology award
Closer to home, see us working on larger commercial projects, along with the bespoke houses and extensions we specialise in.
We’re taking a break from this Thursday and will return to our desks in early January, with any luck, refreshed & ready to start the new year as we finished it.
From Steven, Joe & the rest of our team, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Dunfanaghy House on site
Great to see our project in Dunfanaghy, County Donegal coming along well onsite.
With the recent Lumi Windows installed, that’ll keep the build watertight over these winter months.
hope to be back in spring with more updates.
when the rain stops for a while in Donegal it really is a magical place.
Slemish Design Studio Architects featured in Belfast Telegraph Awards 2022
Slemish Design Studio Architects recognised for Innovative Use of Smart Home Technology
We’re pleased to have been featured in the Belfast Telegraph Business section, being recognised for our innovative use of smart home technology.
With our 2nd award in this category, it was noted that we are Northern Irelands leading experts when it comes to innovative smart home technology.
Modern House in Ballina gains Planning Approval
We’re pleased to have gained planning approval for our client’s project in Ballina, County Mayo
A Modern single-storey stepped home, working with the levels on site, with views from many of the rooms towards Lough Conn & Nephin Mountain.
Michelin Development helps Slemish Design Studio Architects
Michelin Development helps Slemish Design Studio Architects build on 10 years of success.
A County Antrim architectural and planning consultancy is building for future growth as it approaches its tenth anniversary, with support from Michelin Development.
Since its launch in 2012, Slemish Design Studio Architects has built up a following across a national and international client base with its stunning properties, built in harmony with their surroundings across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
A number of the projects are being specified by clients returning home after years working in locations including Dubai, the Bahamas, Australia and the US.
Spurred on by the lockdown, they have wanted to move back home and bring a blend of luxury inspired by their overseas lifestyles, featuring the natural materials, environment and landscape of the island – and the latest renewable energy techniques.
Founded by Steven Bell and Joe Magill, Slemish Design Studio Architects is located in Raceview Mill, midway between Ballymena and Broughshane.
From there a team of six – including RIBA, RIAI, ARB and RSUA architects and several CIAT members – work in a light and airy studio, featuring a contemporary design that still retains the natural features of the old mill building.
Their passion for innovative, quality design, coupled with personal and attentive customer service, has seen the business plot a strong growth curve.
Joe Magill, who studied architecture at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Nottingham, said: “We are seeing a trend with people from the length and breadth of Ireland returning back home after living around the world.
“They want homes built in a traditional style, with a contemporary twist.
“We have now worked in 26 of the 32 counties across Ireland to create dream properties of style, substance and sustainability.
“There’s a value in what can be achieved in Ireland, and people are also looking to be closer to their families due to Covid.”
To support its growth ambitions, Michelin Development has provided two low-interest loans to Slemish Design Studio Architects, which have been used to support marketing activities and also the purchase of 3D visualisation technology, to bring their ideas to life for clients in a highly engaging and informative way.
Fellow director Steven Bell, said “Michelin Development has really listened to what we need, offered us advice and helped us to grow and thrive.
“The first loan offered a critical boost for the business in terms of our marketing and brand recognition.
“The second has helped us to forge ahead with the 3D technology, which has taken us to the next level in terms of interaction with our clients and suppliers.
“The support has brought surety, and comfort and provided a safety net for us to grow.”
Targeted at manufacturing, engineering or service sector (B2B) businesses with fewer than 250 employees, Michelin Development provides funding and advice to local firms to drive economic growth in areas around where it has or had manufacturing facilities.
The programme supports high-potential, small and medium-sized enterprises in and around County Antrim, excluding Belfast, through services including unsecured, heavily subsidised loans, as well as free, independent and expert advice to pave the way for growth.
Loans of up to £50,000 are available, and they can be used to lever additional funding from other sources.
Noel Mulholland, of Michelin Development in County Antrim, said:
“Slemish Design Studio Architects have achieved great things in the last 10 years.
“We are very pleased to have supported them on their growth journey.”
“Michelin Development works closely with other stakeholders, including Mid and East Antrim Council, to ensure a complete package of support is available to help businesses start up and grow in the area.”
To find out more visit www.michelindevelopment.co.uk
Ends
Notes to editors
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably;
designing and distributing the most suitable tyres, services and solutions for its client’s needs;
providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique
experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries.
Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 177 countries, has more than 125,000 employees and operates 123 manufacturing facilities which together produced around 200 million tyres in 2021. (www.michelin.com)
About Michelin Development
Michelin Development aims to contribute to the economic regeneration and long-term prosperity of the regions in which its sites are, or were, located. The programme provides an opportunity for Michelin to support the regeneration of the local business community and in particular the creation of quality sustainable jobs.
Interested businesses can apply at www.michelindevelopment.co.uk
Issued on behalf of Michelin by Shepherd PR.
For further information please contact Jane Shepherd – jane@shepherd-pr.com
Telephone +44(0)1538 308685 or +44 (0)7985 129315
We’re Featured – Northern Irelands Leading Architect Guide
We are pleased to be listed among some of Northern Ireland’s leading residential architects in Ulster Tatler Interiors magazine.
They have featured us in the Architects Guide 2022.
With projects, such as our Sixmile House, Aeroplane House & Clougwater House being featured.
This year Slemish Design Studio Architects celebrates a decade of success.
Established in 2012 by practice partners Magill and Steven Bell, the practice welcomed a steady period of growth, curing an array of commissions right ross the UK and Ireland and is positioned as one of Ireland’s top residential architectural practices. With a total of six members of staff, the office offers a broad range of services to both individual and commercial clients.
We provide passion for innovative and Reality design, coupled with personal and tentative customer service. We engage both contemporary and traditional architecture, using local traditions and materials appropriate for each individual ourselves in our professional approach site, while always ensuring that design with each client.
With experience spanning across most architectural sectors and influence drawn from working across the globe, we pride a kind ourselves on being the architects to help you design, develop, and construct the most appropriate, personal, and inspiring project for your needs.
We were delighted to be recognised at the Belfast Telegraph Property Awards for Best Architectural Practice (Residential) and Innovative Use of Smart Home Technology. Slemish Design Studio Architects are right at the forefront of quality, evolutionary and sustainable residential Architecture in Northern Ireland.
Selfbuild live 2022
We’re pleased to say that Slemish Design Studio Architects will be exhibiting at this year’s Selfbuild Live, in the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast.
Setting out our new stand in Hall 2, Stand K2.
Should you wish to come along to discuss your future projects, or indeed your current one, we’ll be about all weekend from Friday 7th October – Sunday 9th October.
The good news for all you Ballymena folk attending is that there are free tickets available… yes you heard that right, free tickets.
click on the link & fill out the information – shorturl.at/CHOS5
See you all there for a packed weekend & if you are feeling generous after getting free tickets, you can buy us a coffee for standing there all weekend 🙂
Slemish Design Studio sponsor Ballymena Golf Clubs Captains charity day
Slemish Design Studio was pleased to be involved in Ballymena Golf clubs Captains Charity Day.
Captain Ciaran Corbitt (and SDS client) chose Friends of the Cancer Centre for his charity day.
With over 100 members & more players from other clubs involved, it was a super day all around.
Ballymena Golf Club members ready to Tee Off – Gareth McCullough, Steven Bell, Rab Graham, Nigel Douglas
There are lots of ways you can donate to Friends of the Cancer Centre. Below are a few ideas on how you can make a donation, including becoming a regular donor.
If you would like to make a one-off donation, just click this link Donate Now button and you can donate quickly and securely.
Carnlough Project progression
Our Carnlough Project has started on site & is progressing well
Conversion from first floor flat & ground floor retail space to a new home for our client.
Carnlough Project – This is a redesign of the front with the shop front removed and replaced with two windows and two windows added upstairs.
Upstairs being converted from a 2 bedroom apartment to a living room and kitchen/larder/dining room with a new bathroom and a snug/5th bedroom
Carnlough has a long history dating back almost 400 years when it had its first harbour, most of it was owned by the Marchioness of Londonderry, Winston Churchill’s Great Grandmother, who built the current harbour and also built Garron Tower in the mid-1800s and early 1900s.
Ownership of the area over the centuries has passed through many hands from Sorley Boy MacDonnell (1500s).
Much to the surprise of our client, when his solicitor sent a copy of the deeds he found the house had previously been owned by Sir Winston Churchill from 1921-47.
It had been left to him along with most of Carnlough by his second cousin who died in an accident.
Churchill then transferred most of the houses to a company owned by the Earl of Antrim in 1947, it is thought he may have visited the village during his ownership on a visit to Northern Ireland.
The Londonderry Arms Hotel has a painting of Churchill and a room named after him.
The Shedding’s House progressing on site
One of our projects – The Shedding’s House, is progressing well onsite.
A modern 2-storey dwelling & garage just outside the village of Broughshane, Ballymena, with 180degree views towards Slemish Mountain
