Gort Beag, Rathlin Island

Rathlin Island is Northern Ireland's only inhabited off shore community. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is an exceptional environment, where the frequent aftermath of the unforgiving storms from the Atlantic Ocean, twinned with strict environmental protection, has meant that a respectful Architectural response was key, to enable the provision of these 10 new social homes to blend seamlessly into this close knit and forward thinking Island community.

Architectural forms and construction techniques that the people of Rathlin had employed for generations to mitigate the effects of the sometimes hurricane like conditions, wind skews, roughcast lime render & limestone walling to demarcate the ownership of their lands were used.

Sustainability and Energy Conservation were key elements of the proposals. Measures were taken within the fabric of the build to provide Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 accredited status without the need for complex renewable technologies.

This project has been awarded the CEF Environmental Sustainability Award and was shortlisted for the CEF Social Housing equivalent. 

Our talented Architectural team includes RIBA & RIAI Chartered Architects, as well as CIAT Chartered Architectural Technologists – delivering everything from small residential extensions through to major commercial & industrial schemes, with a core focus on sustainability, innovation & providing our clients with service of the highest quality from inception to completion.

Our Architectural Services include but are not limited to:
· Site selection & appraisal
· Feasibility studies
· Residential & commercial development planning
· Procurement
· Historic buildings consent
· Funding Applications
· Statutory approvals
· Construction & contract management
· Design & build delivery
· Major & cyclical works programmes
· Condition surveys
· New build
· Refurbishment
· External works
· BIM (Building Information Modelling)

Our sectors:
·Hospitality
·Infrastructure/Commercial/Offices
·Community/Sport + Leisure
·Education
·Housing

As a Landscape Institute Registered Practice, the Practice offers a full landscape architecture design service from initial site analysis and concept design through to detailed design and construction information. Adopting a sustainable design approach, we incorporate the principles of biodiversity and ecological design in the implementation of all projects. Our landscape architectural services include but are not limited to:

· Landscape Architecture / Urban Design
· Landscape Masterplanning
· Public Realm
· Residential, commercial and mixed-use Landscapes
· Green / Blue Infrastructure / Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
· Active travel, public greenways, paths, trails & parks
· Education, Hospital and University campuses
· Recreational Landscapes, Golf courses, sports facilities & children’s play areas
· Parking & access arrangements
· Wayfinding and public art
· Historic and Coastal Landscapes
· Bespoke Private gardens.
· Landscape & Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA)
· Expert witness for planning appeals / public enquiries
· Caravan, holiday parks & marinas
· Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
· Planting schedules, management & maintenance plans

The Practice has extensive expertise and exceptional experience in all areas of planning practice including:

Planning Appraisals & Site Feasibility
Planning Applications
Enforcement, provision of advice on regularising unauthorised development
Planning Appeals, Public Inquires and Area Plan. Preparation of written evidence and oral presentation at Appeals and Inquiries
Expert witness and licensing for legal hearings, appeals and public inquiries
Environmental impact assessment
Retail impact assessments
Renewable energy proposals including wind turbines, photovoltaics, etc
Brown field redevelopment & consideration of land contamination
Urban realm and regeneration
Strategic planning and master planning – for the co-ordinated and comprehensive development of large scale sites for residential,commercial and mixed-use developments

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