profile

method

the practice enjoys the challenge for successful creative architecture through vigorous commitment to design method, cost and time control. These remain prerequisites on any project to achieve both cost certainty and added value

as a practice of designers, we recognise that good buildings need close relationships with our clients, supported by the creative, trusting and skilful work that involves all members of the design teams that we nurture at every stage of our projects

our philosophy encompasses design that is thoughtful and sensitive in application, flexible, adaptable and functional for ‘fit for purpose’ and ‘whole life’ usage.  Practical and robust detailing is inseparable from an aesthetic that responds to notions for beautiful buildings

our passion and commitment to sustainability and environmental issues is supported by efficient and elegant technical design solutions that address and resolve issues as an integral part of a responsible and forward looking strategy for the design of our work within the practice

we will, upon a description of any future project, whatever the size,  meet any prospective client for an initial meeting at no fee cost to discuss proposals and work on a keen hourly rate to arrive at a feasibility stage result that shares up-front design risks. We will pursue the project following a fee proposal agreement and warrant to meet the demands of a brief to create good architectural design that meets the exacting expectation for agreed cost quality and time

NSA provides full architectural services in most building sectors, supported by a commitment to ensure successful professional working relationships, as together we procure the project

practice profile

NSA is a Royal Institute of British Architects Chartered Practice, founded in London by the principal architect, who sought the freedom to address architecture on his own terms. It evolved from ARCC Architecture, a design practice formed by a group of young London Architects in 1988.
Since establishing a successful practice in London and latterly at haugh farm south of bath, nsa will open their new office in Bath in November 2011

over the intervening years, nsa have built up a diverse portfolio of successful built projects that form the foundations upon which our judgements are based and a significant asset to our procurement strategies. We have never sought to limit our architectural design to a particular style, type or scale of work and our broad experience has given us the knowledge and skills to manage complex architectural instructions as well as the small and most simple ones

we all have access to the very best computer and communication soft and hardware available. We consider the importance of our exceptional working environment critical to enhance the production of high quality work

we are a 20 year old practice with a listing of highly successful architectural work and a demonstrably high success rate through the planning system

the practice exists to thoroughly enjoy the creative fruits of its work whilst steering a path to fully achieve its aspirations to make a difference and realise it’s potential for success.  We work to make the lives of our clients more successful, enjoyable and rewarding through experience of our buildings, which live on into the indefinite future and are designed, like ourselves, to grow old gracefully.

 

seven premises

understand a client’s aspirations for design,  budget and programme

comment: This prerequisite for the success of all projects, is what we do and attempt to get better at doing, with each completed project.  Premises set out below describe the character of our architecture, as it is moulded and honed to suit the unique peculiarities of each design.  We pride oursleves on abilities to listen carefully to a brief to interpret and convert initial ideas into an exciting scheme that has delight at its heart.  Effective architecture results from detailed analysis and a thorough understanding of a client’s requirements. Skill, imagination and ingenuity are needed to unravel elegant architectural solutions that are functionally connected and well cost-controlled results os a clients brief.  The programme is a vital member of the process and we strive to maintain agreed time paths on all stages of the project.

evolve an environmental and sustainable strategy that considers all aspects of building, from carbon footprints to material selection, transport, costs in use, energy renewables and conservation

comment: in the UK, we have fallen well behind our neighbours in Europe, and as exigently high energy consumers, our buildings, transport systems, working practices and lifestyle choices will necessarily be revolutionised to avoid the global distress that our children’s children’s planet will inherit. Our design solutions always appraise the appropriate use of materials that in current times goes further, to include a sustainability audit that covers the whole efficient energy usage of the building from inception to completed construction for years to come. We embrace steps into the future, in front of current regulations with exemplar projects that confront the demands of finite fossil fuel resources and climate change issues.

integrate the design within its physical context for setting, local architectural vernacular/style, landscape, aspect, sun, wind, privacy

comment: using relationships between design and context to inform the building, we understand that this interplay is timeless and will always be an inextricable part of the end result, giving the building a sense of place and a reason for being; ‘anywhere architecture’ is not in our vocabulary. Buildings must be contextually responsive to the many demands made on its siting and setting. Landscape is part of this and our work is designed to maximise this aspect and the joined-up use of indoor/outdoor space to best effect with strong linkages for sun and privacy

understand the often missed qualities of the use of artificial and natural light in buildings, and to use both to inform and beautify

comment: Sunlight is free, it should be used wisely and cleverly. Not to create discomfort or summer cooling problems, but to tame and change the diurnal character of the spaces.  Artificial light efficiency improves constantly and this aspect is as important in the basic building design

develop understanding of form and space and combine this with interesting detail to bring both harmony and diversity together in an original and contextual palette

comment: Solid and void relationships are fundamental juxtapositions in the built environment. Design needs to be broken down to its fundamentals; by doing so interesting and far reaching interplay’s can be achieved. Our interior design skills are inherent in the architectural design of the whole. Humour and romance in architecture are often overlooked as costly or exigent add-ons. They are not. They respond to our need to make the places we occupy fun and memorable, even in a day to day relationship with those spaces

articulate understanding of the inherent language of materials;  capturing and purveying this through elegant and practical detailing and connection solutions necessary to all good design

comment: We often say that the beauty is in the detail – get that right and the remainder of the design falls into place. Only partly true we know, but without an approach to the act of joining materials elegantly, and indeed practically, we cannot claim the design merit we strive to achieve

enjoy the rewards of our work

comment: life is for living and living is free; acknowledgement to Barclay James Harvest

we apply this philosophy to all parts of the team, realising the need for productive relationships with everyone we work with. The design team’s blueprints are translated into built structure with the skill of dedicated contracting teams. We work to make the lives of our clients more successful, enjoyable and rewarding for lifetime spent in our buildings. The buildings live on into the indefinite future and are designed, like ourselves, to grow old gracefully