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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we prioritise energy efficiency and sustainable design, using advanced insulation and innovative construction techniques to create homes with significantly reduced energy consumption. Take a look at our Passivhaus page for more information.

Yes, we can appraise your plot, assessing location, nearby buildings, flood risks, site access, services, development potential, existing features, and applicable planning policies.

Renovating listed buildings can be expensive due to the use of traditional techniques, which are becoming less common. However, unless highly specialised tasks are involved, these methods may not cost more than standard construction methods.

Yes, any work on a listed building usually requires listed building consent. This process involves submitting extensive supporting documents and liaising with the planning department and conservation officer.

An architectural designer can guide you through the process, assess viability, review structural integrity, advise on planning requirements, and produce necessary documents and drawings, ensuring the project balances character retention and personal aspirations.

Challenges include planning restrictions on altering the interior or exterior, fixed external footprints, and the need to meet energy performance requirements, which may reduce usable floor area.

Planning permission may be required for a house extension. Some works can be done under permitted development rights. We can advise on whether a planning application is needed and assist with obtaining a lawful development certificate if necessary.

A house extension can provide a larger living space, a bright open plan kitchen/dining area, more bedrooms and bathrooms, or a better home working environment, increasing the value and functionality of your home.

There are various types of house extensions, including single storey, two storey, loft conversions, glazed links, orangeries, and conservatories. The choice depends on the existing building and available space.

Yes, Passivhaus homes are better for the environment. They emit less carbon, save more energy, and can use sustainably sourced, low embodied carbon materials, reducing the overall environmental impact significantly compared to homes built to current building regulations.

Passivhaus homes offer an improved indoor environment with reduced external noise, lower risk of airborne infections, and minimal condensation and mould, thanks to triple glazing, high levels of insulation, and efficient mechanical ventilation with air filters.

Living in a Passivhaus reduces energy use and lowers energy bills due to high levels of insulation, airtightness, efficient mechanical ventilation, and the potential use of photovoltaic panels with battery storage.

The principles of Fabric First focus on the building fabric for energy efficiency rather than bolt on technologies. The fabric is integral to the overall building, whereas bolted on technologies are not. If a building meets a particular energy performance with technologies but has poor performing fabric or if the technologies are removed or fail, then the performance does not continue to meet the original designed specification. Allowing for a better performing fabric means that the building is designed to use less energy and therefore does not require technologies to meet a particular specification. A Fabric First approach combined with technologies can not only reduce energy, but produce energy.

Elements that make up the Fabric First approach are generally adopted from the ‘Passive’ principles of good thermal values for the ‘Fabric’ which consist of the floor, walls and roof. Components such as windows, doors and ventilation units will need to be of sufficient specification to complement the fabric and a good airtightness strategy would need to be incorporated.

Costs associated with barn conversions can be similar to other construction projects, in particular the following may need to be considered:

  • Appointing a structural engineer early on in the process to assess the existing condition of the structure
  • Demolition of existing floors, walls or roofs, including the removal of asbestos
  • Underpinning – strengthening existing building foundations
  • Addressing damp areas
  • Providing the necessary services
  • Providing suitable access
  • Bespoke windows and doors
  • Ecology survey
  • Insulating to upgrade fabric to current UK Building Regulations
  • Provision of new damp proof course and membrane
  • Build Warranty
  • Location of the barn, within a conservation area, or is it listed
  • Drain surveys
  • Ground investigations

There are many costs associated with any self build project. Some examples of what you might expect are listed below. The amounts can vary significantly depending on lots of factors and this is certainly not an exhaustive list:

  • Architectural
  • Builder costs – materials and labour
  • Building control
  • Building warranty
  • Electrician
  • Energy assessor
  • External works and Landscaping
  • Groundworker
  • Kit build design and install
  • Legal and conveyancing – As with purchasing any real estate a legal professional is required
  • Mortgage broker
  • Party wall surveyor
  • Planning application
  • Plumber
  • Purchase of land – The price of land will depend on key factors such as whether planning permission has already been obtained, its current use status, its location, its size/area and its geographic location.
  • Quantity surveyor
  • Renewables installer
  • Roofer
  • Searches
  • Structural engineer
  • Survey and reports to accompany the planning application
  • Utilities: Water, gas, electric, telecomms, mains drainage

The stages for a custom build and new build house generally follow the same route. However, the difference lies in the actual involvement and influence on the design and construction you can have, with custom build allowing for less control than self build, and new build, sold and bought by a developer, involving almost no control.

A section within the National Planning Policy Framework allows for new houses to be built within the countryside. There are certain circumstances with which an application may be approved. Also known as the ‘Country House Clause’, the basis of Paragraph 84 is that there is great emphasis on exceptional quality and approach to the design, as set out in the NPPF, paragraph 84 (criterion e) (December 2023)

The design is of exceptional quality, in that it:

  • is truly outstanding, reflecting the highest standards in architecture, and would help to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas; and
  • would significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area.

Where this exception clause is to be exercised, there is a requirement to justify the proposal and how it deals with the requirements. In addition to the design, particular attention would be needed to apply innovative solutions, building techniques and sustainable principles. The site itself will play a crucial role as it would need to satisfy the isolated criteria and the site can play its role with how the building is designed based on the site’s topography and the surrounding features.

Where appointed, we have the competence to carry out the role of Principal Designer.

We carry adequate professional and public indemnity insurance that covers us for most project types and sizes.

We opt to design in 3D for most of our projects, unless a 3D model isn’t necessary.

We can assist with the selection of suitable builders, suppliers and sub-contractors for your project.

The cost the local authority charges for planning applications depends on the application type. For a householder application and full planning application for enlargements, alterations and improvements to a single dwelling, this would be a minimum of around £322 including VAT. A full planning application for a new single dwelling would be a minimum of around £642 including VAT. This is not an exhaustive list as there are other types of application and the fees charged by local authorities is subject to change.

Planning permission is not always a requirement if the works can be done via permitted development. We will review the project and advise on whether planning is a requirement along with other potential legislation that is to be adhered to.

GO Architecture is a Chartered Practice with The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists. Director Gareth Cavill is a member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists and a member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.

We cover the whole of East Anglia, but can work across the UK.

Fees for projects can vary greatly depending on the project type and the scope of services required. We will provide a detailed quotation that explains the processes involved and the content which we provide as part of our service.

We typically commence a new project between two and three weeks from signed instruction, although we will review workloads at the time and advise of a suitable starting date for all involved.

Yes, we will travel up to an hour and a half to / from the relevant site and meet to discuss the project and the services which you require.

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