The proposal took a long time to prepare because the application was so detailed and we wanted to give our client the best possible chance of gaining planning approval.

The scheme is on a contentious site and there is a strong possibility that the proposal will go to appeal. We believe this sort of scheme is beneficial to the national housing shortage and will enhance the area immensely.

Our client has been professional, accommodating and a pleasure to work with, we only hope the scheme is approved first time.

I’m personally a big fan of dark bricks and how they can really change the appearance of a building from the ordinary to the sublime.

This example of a small house in Camden by Liddicoat & Goldhill Architects is a great example of taking a very simple form and transforming it into something special.

Don’t be mistaken, this is not just a simple case of using a different coloured brick and all will be well. The brick bond and mortar are equally as important and how the top of the walls are treated also adds to the over all affect.

I also like the pattern matched marble in the centre of the front elevation, a nod to the late, great Mies van der Rohe and his German pavilion in Barcelona. Now he was ahead of his time.

We really like this contemporary interpretation of the Victorian terrace house in Hackney by Kyson Architects.

I know I’ve asked the question before, but where do you find such open minded clients?

Is the answer to build your own designs, and if so, who do I approach for funding, lots of funding?