“Building on good design”

If YOU are thinking of extending your home it may not turn out to be as straightforward as you might hope. For what you see as a simple extension – more space for the kids to play or an extra room to accomodate guests – could lead you headlong into a planning minefield with neighbours, planning officers and the law to contend with.

Staff at the newly-opened AM Architectural Design Centre, in Swan Street, Alcester, are experts at navigating that minefield and are more than happy to share their knowledge and expertise with you. Partners Andy Mann, Andy Miles and Rachel Mann (pictured above) joined forces at the beginning of the year with the aim of making the planning and design business more user-friendly.

They have set up their ground floor ’shop front’ office in a prominent town centre position to remove the mystery of the profession, so that members of the public will feel able to walk in as they would in any shop. Andy Mann has, over the past 12 years, helped expand an architectural practice specialising in motor trade projects throughout the UK and has experience in domestic, commercial, retail and leisure design schemes. Andy Miles’ background is design orientated, though he also has experience in construction and project management.

The firm offers a free inital consultation where the qualified staff will listen to your plans and point out any possible pitfalls. With years of experience behind them, they know the game well and their long list of contacts in the field means that if they can’t answer a question, they know a man who can. There is no obligation at this stage, but from there you have the option of a site visit, and if you decide to go ahead with your plans you have the choice of going it alone or taking up AM Design’s professional services all the way to completion.

They can design the project, apply to the local planning authority for permission (and represent you at planning meetings if necessary), and select builders and other tradesmen, and oversee the construction. AM Design also deal with commercial developments and have a site-finding service for those wishing to move their business or set up a new one. Special features of the centre include a library of magazines, periodicals and technical information, leaflet stands giving advice on a variety of topics and details of events, free use of an on-line PC with technical / trade CDs and a self-serve coffee bar.

Andy Mann said: “We aim to break the age-old mould of the architectural professional percieved as aloof, uncommunicative, slightly eccentric theorist. Our advice centre provides a unique service offering design and construction resources and guidance to the general public and related professions. Our clients can be confident of a first-class, reputable service based on imaginative, creative and cost-effective solutions”

Visit the showroom in Swan Street to enjoy a coffee and a chat with the experts. They may be crucial to making your dreams come true. AM Design is registered with the British Institute of Architectural Technologists, and can be contacted on 01789 765367.