Thinking Buildings

Latest news

Keep up to date with what’s happening at Thinking Buildings

Contemporary Extension Planning Application Submitted

We’re delighted to have submitted a planning application in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales for a new contemporary extension. The extension will be to the rear of a cottage within a Conservation Area. The existing cottage is very linear, with rooms front and back of the house. The new extension will widen the footprint to the…
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Delays With Planning Applications

One thing we are constantly faced with is delays in the planning application system. This can be for multiple reasons.  It is always frustrating, but can risk timescales and increase costs. This can strain relationships with clients as they can often feel we have more control over the process than we actually do. It’s very…
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Preliminary Paragraph 84 Design

Whilst it’s only early stages and preliminary thoughts, it’s great to share this exciting sketch of a partly earth sheltered Paragraph 84 house design that we have been involved with recently. Thinking Buildings has worked on a few of these aspirational projects over the years, working within the Paragraph 84 clause of the UK’s National…
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Improvements at Granville Academy for Affinity Learning Partnership

Thinking Buildings continues to enjoy a strong working relationship with the Affinity Learning Partnership, formerly The de Ferrers Trust, supporting them with improvements across their schools. At Granville Academy in Woodville, Swadlincote, we are pleased to confirm that the playground, toilets and office projects have now reached the end of their defects period. Working alongside…
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Planning Submitted for Meadow House

We are delighted to share that proposals for this stunning property have now been submitted for planning. Working alongside Edgars, the scheme is an exciting transformation of a 1960s house that has seen a number of less sympathetic additions over the years. Our clients have been ambitious for design excellence and this project sets out…
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North Oxfordshire Farmhouse Renovation

This week, we are pleased to share with you, this scheme for an extensive renovation of a country home that has been granted planning permission. Thinking Buildings have been working with a private client to develop this impressive property into a modern family home. The scheme removes a modern conservatory and replaces it with a…
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New Roofs and New Relationships At Millgate School, Leicester

Earlier this year, Thinking Buildings were appointed to support Millgate School with a series of improvement projects. The most significant of these is a re-roofing scheme, prompted by the existing roof falling into disrepair. The works will see a full replacement with a new clay tile roof, designed with traditional detailing to respect the building’s…
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Thinking Buildings Shortlisted for Award!

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for ‘Best Architect or Designer for an Extension Project.’ Our Associate, Bethan, was the lead designer on our Stowbridge House project set within the Cotswold National Landscape. Our client wished for an extension to the existing property that provided an open, contemporary, living space to…
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Low Energy House, Oxfordshire

This new low energy house in Oxfordshire has been submitted for planning – combining traditional shapes and building form with a sharp modern palette of materials. Whilst the project is part of a downsizing exercise for our client as they look forward towards retirement, the brief was to create large and generous living spaces that…
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Progress Continues at Alexandra Park School

Due for completion this November, the Post 16 Expansion at Alexandra Park School is progressing well. The external fabric is nearly complete, with the last few courses of brickwork going in. It’s all coming together really well, and the windows are a real highlight, sitting sharply against the yellow cladding and white render. The project…
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Deddington formal garden with small box hedges, timber and cream clad with grey feature windows and door

Why Choose Us?

When people come to us, they’re not just looking to build a house – they want to create a home that reflects who they are and how they want to live. It’s about more than just rooms and square metres. It’s about waking up to calm, light filled spaces, having a place to connect with…
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Education Refurbishment Project Handed Over

As we’ve mentioned previously, August was a busy month for us. The school holidays are in full swing, so it’s the perfect window to carry out essential refurbishment works. One of the projects we have overseen, ready for the pupil’s return, was an infant school refurbishment in Burton on Trent. This included a full roof…
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Bee Angels – Aerosol Awareness Campaign

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 “𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛” 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒. Ashely Martin, Public Health Adviser at The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents This week we wanted to highlight a cause close to our hearts. Clare and Paul Green, parents of Giorgia,…
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Planning Change To Make Installing A Heat Pump Easier

In May, major reforms under the government’s Warm Homes Plan removed a longstanding barrier: the requirement to apply for planning permission when installing heat pumps within one metre of a property boundary. Replacing a boiler is usually done when the previous boiler fails, so to have to wait for a planning approval is not something many have…
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Bethan Celebrates 10 Years!

Our Associate Architect, Bethan, marks 10 years with the team at Thinking Buildings this week! Bethan studied at the University of Edinburgh where she obtained a Masters in both Architectural Design and Architectural and Urban Design. She joined Thinking Buildings in August 2015 and was promoted to Associate in 2019. Her passion lies in seamlessly…
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John Port Science Block Nears Completion

We had a great site visit last week to see the progress on the John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, Derbyshire. We have been working with the school for several years on various projects to deliver new and exciting facilities for the school, including a new Post 16 education facility which officially opened last year.…
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William Morris Primary, Banbury architect designed primary school extension with timber cladding yellow doors and windows

Project Architect Opportunity

Are you an experienced architect with a passion for education design?Do you thrive on taking projects from early concept through to completion?Looking to lead, mentor and grow within a creative, collaborative team? If this sounds like you – we’re expanding and we’d love to hear from you! We work on a wide range of inspiring…
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New Homes Proposed for the Derbyshire Dales

We’re pleased to share that Thinking Buildings are working with a private developer on early-stage proposals for a new residential development in the Derbyshire Dales. The scheme looks to deliver nine much-needed homes on land just outside the settlement boundary and on the edge of a Conservation Area. This comes at a time when Derbyshire…
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Education Updates

We are currently busy with several ongoing projects within our education sector. The summer holidays are always a favourable time for construction work to take place on a school site. Better weather (hopefully!), less disruption to staff and students, and beautiful, brand new, fully equipped facilities ready for the start of the new academic year.…
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Ground Breaking at Marlborough

It was great to see the Oxford Mail featuring our Marlborough Secondary School expansion project that has just started on site – 4 years in the design and now it’s time to see the project emerge from the ground. This was a particularly complex project on a constrained site, and we have had to navigate…
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Managing Budgets on a Self-Build Home: Avoiding Nasty Surprises

For many aspiring homeowners in the UK, building a home from the ground up is the ultimate dream. Whether it’s a contemporary eco-home in the countryside or a modest family house on the edge of a town, self-building offers a unique opportunity to create a space that reflects your needs, values, and aspirations. But that…
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TB Summer Fun!

Last week, Thinking Buildings once again treated staff to some well-earned food and fun (two things we are very good at having!) for our annual summer social event. The day started with a lovely brunch at The Oxshed Cafe in Wallingford, a small town outside Oxford. We then had a great time shooting arrows, throwing…
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Primary School Redevelopment Achieves Planning Consent

We are pleased to report another successful planning outcome for a local Oxfordshire primary school. Working with Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust and Oxfordshire County Council, Thinking Buildings and our consultant partners have provided a considered scheme to help North Hinksey Primary continue to provide the best care and facilities to their pupils. The scheme includes…
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Our New Look!

Welcome to our new brand identity! After several months of working with the branding experts Think Plus Ink Ltd, we are delighted to be able to share our new look! “We wanted to create a new image that is more aligned to the company we have grown and evolved into over time ” said James,…
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Are You Our Next Project Architect?

Passionate about high calibre design? Love taking projects from concept to completion? Want to lead, mentor & grow in a creative, hybrid team? Then you might be the person we are looking for to join Thinking Buildings, a design-led, people-first architectural practice working on exciting education projects, and high end, bespoke houses & homes. No…
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Mixed Use Development Gains Planning Consent

We’re really glad to be able to share that our mixed used development project in Wootton was granted planning permission recently. This is an exciting scheme to redevelop an existing business site to provide a residential apartment block and new office for the existing owner occupier. The increased density on the site maximises the potential,…
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Planning Application For Modular School Building

We are delighted to have submitted a full planning application for a new modular teaching block at a school in Staffordshire. Modular buildings (built off-site in a factory) offer several advantages for schools, particularly in terms of speed and efficiency. Prefabricated modules can be constructed off-site, while groundwork is completed simultaneously, reducing project timelines and…
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The Role Of Green Roofing In Sustainable Architecture

Green roofs, also known as living roofs, play a significant role in sustainable architecture from energy conservation to habitat creation.  Our Architect and Certified Passivhaus Designer, Rachel, has pulled together some key drivers in the motivation behind choosing green roofs. Green roofs can be categorised into three types: extensive, semi-intensive, or intensive; each varying in…
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Peak District Dwelling

Thinking Buildings has been appointed to support a private client in securing planning permission for a replacement dwelling in the Peak District National Park—the UK’s first national park, designated in 1951. At 250m above sea level, the existing one-up, one-down cottage has sadly fallen into disrepair. Efforts to refurbish have been unsuccessful, as the structure…
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New Look Incoming……!

We are excited to announce that we have been working with branding experts Think Plus Ink Ltd to create a new brand image that better reflects the business that we have become today. Since we launched in 2011, a lot has changed. We were 2, and now we are 10. From humble beginnings around kitchen tables, we…
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Steel Frame Up At Alexandra Park

A major milestone has been reached at Alexandra Park School, in Haringey, London, as the steel frame is now complete. This marks a significant step forward in the construction of the school’s brand-new Post 16 facilities. With the structure in place, progress is moving quickly, and the vision for this transformative project is becoming a reality. Led by Alcema,…
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The Benefits of Timber Frames

Recently, one of our Directors, Darren, enjoyed a really interesting site visit to look at the progress of EW Estates development in Little Bourton near Banbury. The reason behind the visit was to look in detail at the Scotframe timber frame solution. Incredibly neat, tidy and super efficient – this is a great way to de-risk projects and…
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Exciting Progress at Heanor Gate

Construction has officially begun on the new post 16 building at Heanor Gate Spencer Academy in Derbyshire. While there isn’t much to see just yet, it’s fantastic to witness the groundwork progressing smoothly. This marks a major step forward in delivering a dedicated space for post 16 students, enhancing learning environments, and opportunities for the academy’s growing…
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A Guide to Your Self-Build Home

Building your own home is an exciting and rewarding process, offering the chance to create a space tailored to your needs and lifestyle. However, “self-build” doesn’t necessarily mean physically constructing the house yourself. Instead, it involves managing the process, making key decisions, and employing professionals and contractors to carry out the work. One of the…
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Stunning Cotswold Kitchen

Modern minimalist lines meets traditional Cotswolds country house in this recently completed project. The house was significantly remodelled and enlarged with a new sleek zinc and glass extension. The combination of sharp, elegant geometric lines contrasts beautifully with soft limestone walling and traditional detailing of the existing house, and the fantastic kitchen by Kitchen Architecture fits perfectly…
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Dining Building Submitted for Planning at John Port Spencer Academy

Exciting developments are underway at John Port Spencer Academy in Derbyshire, as plans have been submitted for a new dining building, marking the final phase of a five-phase expansion project. This addition will support the secondary school’s growth from a 360 published admission number to 420. The new facility will provide a dining space for…
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Why is Choosing the Correct Orientation for your Building so Important?

When designing a building, one of the most crucial factors influencing energy efficiency is the site orientation. This refers to the positioning of a building in relation to the sun, wind, and surrounding environment. It determines how the building interacts with natural elements, which influences its energy performance throughout the year. Careful consideration should be…
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Planning Application Approved For New Home

After a number of months in the planning process, with much back and forth with the planners, we received confirmation that a new house we’ve designed for a client in Derby has been granted full planning approval. The new house is a two-storey, replacing an existing bungalow. This is generally acceptable, but care is needed…
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Planning Approval For Heyford Park School

Planning approval has recently been received to provide a new primary school building at Heyford Park school, freeing up space to expand the 11-16 secondary accommodation at the main campus. This is great news for the project, which has been developed for Oxfordshire County Council and the EPA Trust to provide additional pupil places to…
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Oxford City Sponsorship

We have been sponsors of the Oxford City girls under 13’s football team this season, with our logo proudly displayed on their training tops. One of the Thinking Buildings family trains and plays for the team, who compete in the Oxford Youth Girls Football League. Often dubbed “the beautiful game,” football has historically been dominated…
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Cotswold Kitchen Garden

This is an usual scheme for a private client in the Cotswolds. The client was lucky enough to have a Victorian walled garden on their land, and this scheme was developed to make the most of that asset. On the inner side of the walled garden, an extensive greenhouse was planned, to support the food…
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Mixed Use Development Case Study

This mixed used redevelopment for an existing commercial site is currently submitted for planning consent. While we wait for a (hopefully positive) determination we’ve added a more in depth look at this exciting scheme to our website, so that you can learn a bit more about it’s development and principals. The project has been developed…
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Planning Applications In Areas With Housing Shortfalls

Thinking Buildings have recently been commissioned to assist with developing a planning application for a residential site which is outside, but on the edge of, a village settlement boundary. Ordinarily, this would be sufficient to deter most from submitting an application, but with increasing pressure to build more houses, the balance is tilting in favour…
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Steel Frame Complete at School Site

Works at John Port Spencer Academy in Derbyshire are progressing well with Bailey Construction. The steel frame is complete, with the focus now turning to the ground floor, brickwork, and the roof. Planning requirements stipulated the site was to be under the watch of a professional archaeologist. With relief, there was no archaeology of any…
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Town Centre Development

This week we share a nice design concept emerging for a new town centre development that involves master-planning an existing commercial site. The scheme is being developed with Alcema and includes 8 new apartments with undercroft parking on a sloping site.  The scheme uses the site’s sloping levels to accommodate the semi basement car park,…
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Luxury Car Sales Scheme Out For Tender

We’re delighted to confirm the next stage of this scheme. This car sales site has been granted full planning approval, with the pre-commencement planning conditions now approved. The client is now seeking prices for the work, with the hope construction will start later this year. The scheme is for the construction of a purpose designed…
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Stunning Cotswold Home

This substantial home improvement project is progressing well on site and we will soon share some photos of the construction works. The project involves a full renovation and 2 storey side and rear extensions to a cottage in the Cotswolds, to form a beautiful family home for our clients. A 3 bay oak framed car…
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Planning Approved for Bloxham School Sports

We are really delighted that the application for extensions to Bloxham School’s Dewey Sport Centre, including sports floodlighting, 5 new netball/tennis courts and parking improvements, was approved in line with the officer’s recommendation at the Cherwell Planning Committee last month. The proposal will deliver a number of significant benefits both to Bloxham School and the…
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New Case Study – Stunning Farmhouse

A nice shot that captures a recently completed project in Oxfordshire, showing the various parts of this new farmhouse, that includes the main house, a residential annexe, and an energy centre. The energy centre includes the new ground source heat pump installation whilst also providing a home and loft space for the resident bats that…
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Reframing an Existing School

We have been working with Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust and Oxfordshire County Council to remodel and existing Junior School (ages 7-11) to become a full Primary School (ages 3-11). To do this, the scheme proposes to refurbish one existing wing to provide and early years unit, with dedicated play space; and a new modular classroom…
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Listed Building Consent Granted For Care Home

We’ve recently been granted listed building consent to works on a listed building operated as a care home. The works were mainly maintenance items, but also included converting a hayloft into a new office. Listed building consent is not the same as planning approval. It is a separate consent reserved for listed buildings. It also…
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Marlborough in The Oxford Mail

It was great to see this article in the Oxford Mail confirming the funding of our project to expand The Marlborough School in Woodstock.  Tenders have been returned and we hope to bring works on site before the summer holidays. This is a particularly complex project on a constrained site, and we have had to…
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Promotion for Leigh!

We’re starting 2025 with some exciting team news! As mentioned in our recent newsletter, we’re delighted to announce the promotion of Leigh, one of our talented Architectural Assistants, to the role of BIM Manager. Leigh has always had a strong interest in BIM (Building Information Modelling), the advanced 3D modelling software we use to design…
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Latest John Port Planning Submitted

The next phase of work at John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, Derbyshire, has been submitted for planning approval. We are providing a building with new hall containing dining facilities within the existing campus. The double height space includes retractable bleacher seating to provide a space with great flexibility, along with a new kitchen and…
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Happy New Year!

The festivities might start to feel like a distant memory, but we have a great photo to help us remember the good times!  Before we finished for Christmas, we all had great fun at a festive medieval banquet held at Coombe Abbey Hotel near Coventry.  With our stylish costumes, we sang silly songs and feasted…
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Mixed Use Planning Submitted

Our last pre-Christmas project update – this exciting mixed used scheme close to Oxford has been submitted for planning approval. The scheme makes more efficient use of an existing commercial site, re-planning and organising the layout to provide a replacement office building along with a separate 9 unit apartment building. The scheme is finely balanced…
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Season’s Greetings from Thinking Buildings

Modern design baffles Santa…..”Easy parking, tricky access!” Stylised, festive image of a contemporary extension by Thinking Buildings for a private client It’s almost time to say that 2024 at Thinking Buildings is a wrap! A big thank you to all our clients, contractors, consultants, and suppliers that we have had the pleasure of working with…
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New Teaching Shelter For School

We’re delighted to confirm full planning approval has now been granted for a much needed timber teaching shelter at a Derbyshire primary school. Middleton Community Primary School is set in the wonderful Derbyshire Dales on the edge of the Peak District. These timber structures are all season, being great in the summer for providing shade…
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Supporting Role For School Project

Admittedly, it’s not a glamorous image, but work continues apace at John Port Spencer School in Etwall, Derby and this reinforcement is vital. Bailey Construction are almost out of the ground, with work focusing on retaining walls and foundations in the past month. Thinking Building are supporting the project, but the picture shows the new retaining…
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Family Barn Conversion Avoids Planning 

Did you know that under Part Q of Permitted Development rights you can convert an agricultural barn into a dwelling? This barn is being developed as a four-bed family home, and will be have a high level of insulation and low energy technologies to minimise its carbon consumption. Permitted Development rights are a faster way…
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Bloxham School Sports Extension

We are hoping for a good result in planning shortly, with this scheme to significantly improve sporting facilities at Bloxham School. The project involves new front and rear extensions to the school’s existing sports hall to provide a new entrance and arrival space, first floor studio, additional changing rooms, and a new state of the art…
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Just Building One House? You Still Need To Know About CIL!

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a development tax introduced in England and Wales in 2010 to support local authorities in funding the necessary infrastructure for new developments in their areas. Local governments can impose this charge on most types of new development, allowing them to secure funds for essential services that will benefit the…
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Oxfordshire Primary School Extension

It continues to be a busy time for our Education team. Our latest project has just been submitted for planning and involves a 2 classroom extension, new synthetic surface Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), a new Forest school class base, new school car park, as well as significant alterations and remodelling of the existing school…
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Stunning Cotswold Extension

This week, for pure indulgence, we wanted to show you a recently photographed project ahead of a full feature and case study. This project involved a substantial kitchen extension to a large country residence in the Cotswolds. Full height sliding doors, provided by Sightline, and a floating zinc roof, create a dramatic and light filled…
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Cromford Offices on the BBC again!

Our wonderful offices at Cromford Mills, featured on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow again this week. If you tune in to the programme at 15.33 you can hear all about The Arkwright Society, who saved the dilapidated site in the 70’s and who have recently finished working hard on the project to bring waterpower back to…
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Heyford Park School Planning Submitted

A fantastic milestone has been achieved with the planning application now submitted to expand Heyford Park School in Oxfordshire. This exciting project has been in development for the last 2 years, carefully working with the school, Eynsham Partnership Academy Trust, and Oxfordshire County Council to explore and develop solutions to increase secondary pupil places to…
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What Our Clients Need To Know About The Building Safety Act

The Building Safety Act 2022 represents one of the most significant overhauls of construction regulations in recent memory, introducing stricter rules to enhance safety standards across the built environment. If you’re planning a building project, you may have come across the role of the Principal Designer, a term that might sound familiar from the Construction…
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Bloxham Primary Continues On Site

The new school hall at Bloxham Primary School is progressing at pace, with the main structure and exterior up, and work commenced on the existing parts of the school too. It’s great to see the new hall space, and you can really see how it is coming together. We will continue to update you on…
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Construction Continues at School Site

Work is progressing well at John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, Derbyshire, where we’re working with Bailey Construction to build an extension to one of the science buildings. The site presents some challenges, as it is of archaeological interest and it has a noticeable slope. The contiguous piled retaining wall and the concrete piles that will support…
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Sports Development for Bloxham School

Our latest education spotlight focuses on our experience of designing sports facilities in the independent school sector. Following on from our £5.5 million sports building for Kingham Hill School, we have been working hard to develop a site wide sports masterplan for Bloxham School. Recently submitted to planning, the scheme provides much enhanced facilities to…
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Congratulations on 10 years Gareth!

We are so pleased to share that our Associate, Gareth, has been a valuable member of our team here at Thinking Buildings for 10 years this week! Gareth studied architecture at De Montfort University in Leicester and joined us in 2014. His wide portfolio of work spans the residential, community, commercial and educational sectors. His…
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Building Your Dream Home In The Countryside

For many, the idea of building a new home in the countryside is a dream that seems out of reach. However, the little known Paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPFF) offers a possibility that few might have considered achievable. This provision allows for the construction of new isolated homes in the countryside under special circumstances, offering…
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School Site Improvements To Bring Real Change

Thinking Buildings continues to work with The de Ferrers Trust to help them deliver changes and improvements across their schools. We’re currently working with them at Granville Academy in Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire. Working with Davlyn Construction and SA Consulting, we’re helping to vastly improve the main external social space at the academy. The works comprise of external steps, ramps,…
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Our Derbyshire Offices On The BBC!

At the beginning of the month, the offices which our Derbyshire team use, were featured on the BBC Antiques Roadshow. Constructed in 1771, and now a World Heritage Site, Cromford Mills in Cromford, Derbyshire, became the birthplace of the factory system which would change the way things were made around the world to this day. …
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Office and Warehouse Remodelling, Banbury

We are delighted to have received planning consent for the significant remodelling of an existing office and warehousing building in Banbury for the Brady Corporation. Working with Hawkins, Thinking Buildings have developed the design for this Design & Build contract. The project includes full fabric upgrading to meet current Building Regulations, which will significantly improve energy…
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Nursery School Part Q Barn Conversion

This is a project with some real vision behind it. Our client owns an existing agricultural barn, and came to us to help with the design to convert it under Part Q permitted development rights, into a new commercial building. The proposed building will provide a new premises for an existing popular nursery, providing them…
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Sensitive Landscape Integration For A New Home

Here we have the site plan from another successful planning permission, obtained earlier this year. Thinking Buildings worked with Savills planning consultants and NDLA landscape architects to reach a positive outcome for our clients on this challenging site. The plot is a small paddock attached to a larger dwelling, which had previously been developed with…
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Contemporary New Build in Cheltenham

Whilst we are busy working on several school projects at present, it’s not all education at Thinking Buildings. Our other main area of work is in higher end homes, often for private individuals or smaller luxury developers. This is a new build contemporary house that recently gained planning consent in Cheltenham. The design provides 4…
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Planning Approval For Heanor Gate Sixth Form

Today’s education spotlight is on the new sixth form and teaching building at Heanor Gate Spencer Academy in Derbyshire, that recently gained planning consent. This project provides a striking new focal point on the site for the school’s post 16 provision with a new social space, study areas, and seminar rooms.  Our team are currently…
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Science Expansion Build Sequence

This week we have a new video for you, showcasing another of our education projects. This is a build sequence model and video of the new science building at John Port School, in Etwall, Derbyshire. The project has recently started on site and this shows the main sequencing of how the science expansion will be…
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Praise from Hatherop Primary School

“I wanted to write on behalf of the School with sincere thanks for all your hard work and significant contribution towards the successful planning application submitted for Hatherop School. We are all very grateful for your guidance, support, professional advice and final submission documents – working with us through this process and putting up with…
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Contemporary Family Home In London

We’re delighted a project in north London, which has been with us for over 8 years, is very close to completion. This project, for a new family home in north London, came to us after a failed planning application. The local planning authority have proved very difficult to work with, but after much persistence, we…
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Northamptonshire Village Pre-School

This week’s education spotlight focuses on this fantastic project to provide a new pre-school building alongside an existing village hall in Northamptonshire. This a complex project, located in a conservation area, with challenging topography and site constraints. The design approach is to provide a familiar and sensitive building form, but with a number of contemporary…
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What is a Certified Passive House?

By now, you may be familiar with the general concepts of what makes a Passivhaus or Passive House.  A high quality home which prioritises the comfort and wellbeing of it’s occupants through superior air quality, and which is energy efficient with cheaper running costs.  In order for a home to become certified, it must be…
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5 Years For Jess!

We are very pleased to say that our Architectural Technologist, Jessica Moore, is celebrating being with us here at Thinking Buildings for 5 years!  Jess graduated from The University of Derby with a BSc in Architectural Technology and Practice, and joined us in 2019. Based in our Derbyshire team, Jess was recently heavily involved in…
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Alexandra Park School Sixth Form Video

Our Education project spotlight continues with a fly around of this new sixth form building at Alexandra Park School in Haringey, London. Construction is due to start on site this summer and we’re really excited to see this one rise up from the ground.  Obtaining planning was a challenge on an extremely constrained site located…
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Luxury Cars Sales Site Moves Forward

We’re delighted to confirm that our luxury cars sales site in Leicestershire is moving ahead, with Thinking Buildings now commissioned to develop the detailed design to meet the technical standards, and support the tendering process. The scheme is for the construction of a purpose designed site for luxury car sales in Leicestershire. Our client, Hillmoren, currently…
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The Thinking Buildings Summer Social 2024!

It’s not quite all work this month as we have just come back from a great trip away in the Lake District for our annual summer get together.  We took in the magnificent cathedral cave on one of our walks and also took part in some Canadian canoeing.  We canoed up Lake Coniston to a beautiful island,…
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New Case Study – John Port Spencer Academy Post 16

This week we bring you another case study, this time of our recently completed educational expansion at John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, Derbyshire. Thinking Buildings were initially appointed by the Spencer Academy Trust to develop a site-wide masterplan to expand the John Port Spencer Academy school in order to provide additional pupil places. The…
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Contemporary Garden Room

This stylish project moves onto site this week. The scheme, to provide a new, contemporary garden room to the rear of an existing Oxfordshire cottage, will replace a dated traditional style conservatory. The project is being built by Barr Construction, and will feature slimline glazing, and a bronze coloured zinc roof. The garden room vastly…
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John Port Post 16

Ahead of another full case study soon to be added to our website, a little teaser image of our recently competed Post 16 building at John Port School in Derbyshire. This is a fantastic new facility and centre point for the schools sixth form provision. The building is purposely collegiate and grown up in its…
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What does your building say about your business identity?

As a business, your physical office is a key part of how you make an impression, both on clients and on employees. An attractive environment can help you win work, and attract and retain the best talent. We have just submitted an application for this office refurbishment scheme, to refresh the corporate identity of the…
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The Right Time for Heat Pumps?

The Passivhaus Trust have recently released best practice guidance on ‘The right time for heat pumps: decarbonising home heating in a staged retrofit’. Their document discusses the how and when to make the switch from gas boilers to heat pumps in order to avoid unintended consequences, such as increased running costs or a reduction in thermal comfort.…
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Oxfordshire site redevelopment

This exciting mixed use site redevelopment close to Oxford is taking shape as it progresses towards a planning application. The scheme redevelops an existing commercial site with 2 new proposed buildings; a 3 storey, 500m2 office building, and a 9 unit apartment building. The design includes soft tonal brickwork and zinc standing seam cladding with…
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Holiday lets farm diversification rural modern contemporary brick timber cladding visualisation

New Case Study – Holiday Let Development

A new case study for our commercial works is this development of holiday lets for farm diversification. Thinking Buildings have been working with this client over a number of years, first to design a new farmhouse, which opened up the site for this development, which was the location of the previous farmhouse. The farm already…
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Welcome to the team Paul!

We are delighted to have welcomed Paul to Thinking Buildings this week. With such a busy outlook, we have decided to strengthen the team. He joins as an Architectural Assistant, whilst he also completes his final year of part 2 architectural study. He will bring much needed assistance to projects which both Gareth and Darren…
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Listed Building Consent For Care Home

We’re excited to share our latest project update with you: our continued work in the care home sector, specifically our collaboration with an existing client on a scheme for listed building consent at a care home. Thinking Buildings recognises the importance of managing historic buildings and the necessary process of change, especially in sensitive environments…
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Integrated Photo Voltaic Panels

Here’s an interesting idea. Building integrated Photo Voltaic panels. What’s that I hear you ask? When it comes to fixing solar panels to a roof, it’s all about making sure they stay put, while also being mindful of the roof’s structure. For sloped roofs, which are the most common, roof hooks or brackets are securely…
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developer listed building apartment Georgian Cotswolds Cirencester stone townhouses

Listed Townhouse Case Study

We have another case study to share! We’ve recently added to the portfolio of developer housing projects, this Grade II* listed building conversion. The original building was a schoolhouse, and is located in central historic Cirencester. With declining use, and having fallen increasingly into disrepair, Thinking Buildings were appointed to provide proposals for reuse of…
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Dementia Unit Planning Approval

Thinking Buildings has been working with a Derbyshire care home provider for over 3 years. They currently operate 2 cares homes in the Derbyshire Dales. In 2021 it became clear an extension was needed to one of their care homes to address the under provision of specialist dementia care spaces in the local area. Many…
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