Trewin Design Partnership latest news http://www.trewin-design.co.uk Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:05:01 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.trewin-design.co.uk Trewin Design Partnership latest news http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=155&Itemid= Devon Architects, Trewin Design Partnership beat more than 50 competitors to join the innovative team for the pioneering Eco-Town in Cornwall. The competition to design sustainable housing for the Mid-Cornwall Clay Country Eco-Town attracted 58 design entries and Holsworthy based Trewin Design Partnership were delighted to be selected as one of the six winning architects. Participating practices were to demonstrate a background in sustainable (services/sustainability.html) homes, innovative architecture and a good understanding of the Code for sustainable homes. Designs were to be sympathetic to the Cornish surroundings and building traditions. The St Austell Eco-Homes in Cornwall are one of just 4 confirmed projects in the Country, regenerating Cornwall’s china clay area is set to receive a share of the £60m government funding. In May 2007, Gordon Brown announced plans to create carbon-neutral communities, later confirm by Housing Minister John Healey.  The ‘Housing Green Paper’ states the national targets are to build 240,000 new homes per annum until 2016 and to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. A beautiful setting in mid-Cornwall with close alignment to the Eden Project really makes this the ideal site for such forward thinking development. The proposed eco-town in St Austell will create sustainable new communities by re-developing 6 former china clay sites in mid Cornwall to provide more than 5,000 homes, new jobs, a sustainable transport infrastructure, leisure facilities and green space. This major regeneration strategy is a result from the general decline in the traditional clay industries in Cornwall. Beyond the creation of a Green Cornwall, this environmentally friendly development will create employment, improve local economy and infrastructure. Whilst spending cuts are expected to cause some delays, it is felt that the town will still come to fruition. James Trewin, partner of Trewin Design Partnership said, “We are delighted to be partnering some prestigious names on this project.  We are a relatively small firm by comparison, so we feel really proud to have been chosen.  Of course, there may be some challenges with the reduction in funding, but everyone seems very positive about pushing forward.  Doubtless we will find there are some delays ahead, but that is only to be expected in the current climate”. Trewin Design Partnership recently showcased a model of their prototype for a typical 3 bedroom house that is specifically designed for the affordable housing sector which achieves Code 6  ‘zero carbon’ energy rating at the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference in Torquay, read the full article here (news/153.html). Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:48:53 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=154&Itemid= Primary School Children put the Professional under the Spotlight!Architect Gareth Williams from the Trewin Design Partnership in Holsworthy recently impressed the children of Shebbear Community School in Beaworthy with an animated CGI fly through of their groundbreaking design for an affordable Code 6 Sustainable Home.  The virtual tour was part of his presentation when he was invited to talk to them about his choice of career.  The interview was conducted as part of a project to get the children thinking about their own future direction and career.  Gareth was presented with a list of questions from the children, who wanted to know everything from why and how he became an architect, to an idea of what his average day entails, as well as a few funny stories about things that have happened to him whilst at work.They were also keen to find out what the profession is doing for the environment.  Gareth explained how buildings are currently causing nearly half the damage we are doing to our planet.  He then used the prototype model of the house, along with the animation, to provide them with a realistic insight into how the design of our homes can mean that they not only use as little energy as possible, but can actually create a net surplus in the future.  Gareth said, “The children sent through some really good questions and seemed interested in my responses.  They were really fascinated by the animated tour of the sustainable house and it meant I could give them a more tangible insight into how their homes will look in the not too distant future.” Fri, 14 May 2010 08:04:37 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=153&Itemid= Multi-award winning Devon architects, Trewin Design Partnership were pleased to make a presentation to Rebecca Smyth from Trowers Hamlins on Thursday 22 April. Rebecca won their competition at the recent Chartered Institute of Housing Conference in Torquay. Trewin Design Partnership (TDP) showcased a model of their prototype for a typical three bed house that is specifically designed for the affordable housing sector which achieves Code 6  ‘zero carbon’ energy rating.  TDP have considerable expertise in this area and wanted to demonstrate that a Code 6 house was achievable using a layout that meets with current HCA standards and is suitable for a volume market. Visitors to the event were invited to guess the predicted annual energy cost for a prototype house and this provided quite a challenge.   The answers submitted covered a wide spectrum, but few came close to the result of -£87.30! (As calculated by the SAP 2005 report). Rebecca Smyth who is a lawyer at Trowers Hamilins, was closest with her answer of -£102. She was presented with her prize by David Savage, a Partner at TDP, at the official launch of the new Trowers Hamlins offices in Southernhay on Thursday evening. James Trewin, Partner TDP, said “I think people will be surprised at the level of energy savings we have achieved.  Our prototype aims to accommodate all the demanding requirements of affordable housing and using our expertise we haveprovided a design that starts to address the practicalities of meeting housing needs, crucial in the south west”. Photograph above – David Savage, Partner Trewin Design Partnership and Rebecca Smyth from Trowers Hamlin's The model of Trewin Designs prototype house examines the realities of providing a Code 6 affordable home that meet with all current standards. By using a typical 3 bed affordable house layout to examine what changes are needed to meet with Code 6. The code 6 has been achieved by using good insulation in the walls, making the building air tight as possible, good internal day lighting by increasing window sizes, water recycling and water saving measures, energy saving lighting and appliances, sustainable construction methods and materials, recycling storage provisions, composting bin water butt in gardens, cycle storage, and renewable technologies. The renewable's include a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP), heat recovery and Photovoltaic (PV's). The PV's produce electricity from the sun and this is put back into the grid and the electricity company has to buy back the electricity which is why the running costs are a minus figure! The roof is shaped to provide adequate south facing roof area for the amount of PV's required to make the energy requirements for the house to be carbon neutral. Read more about the Code for Sustainable Homes, click here: http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/services/sustainability.html (services/sustainability.html) Sun, 09 May 2010 12:11:25 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142&Itemid= Office Manager, Liz Higgins and Administrator Sarah Burnard, have both been fortunate enough to secure places for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon . Liz and Sarah have been running together regularly for the past three years and felt they could rise to the challenge. Liz, who has worked at TDP for over 20 years, will be running on behalf of Asthma UK  and Sarah, who has also worked for the practice for 14 years, will be running on behalf of Multiple Sclerosis. In order to secure their places in the Marathon they have to raise at least £3000.00 in sponsorship.  Any  donations will be gratefully received to help them exceed this amount and raise as much as possible for their chosen charities. Please make any cheques payable to MSRC or Asthma UK or donate securely online at; http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/tdpmarathongirls (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/tdpmarathongirls)   Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid= Trewin Design would like to congratulate Louise Dart on having successfully achieved her Advanced Apprenticeship in Business and Administration. Trewin Design has a good track record of providing training opportunities for their staff and partner David Savage said ‘Louise’s achievements have already brought great benefits to the practice and she plays an important role as part of the support team. Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=140&Itemid= Trewin Design Partnership are at exhibiting at the Torquay CIH South West Event on the 15th and 16th of April 2010 and will be unveiling the Concept-6 house, an eco friendly prototype to meet with the highest level of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Visit them at stand number 27. Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=139&Itemid= A Planning decision is imminent on North Devon Homes projects following a favorable response from local Councilors at the Planning Committee Meeting who’s resolution was to approve our application… Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid= Trewin Design Partnership, Architects in Devon are delighted to be reappointed onto Framework SouthWest… Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=137&Itemid= Technical staff have recently completed and passed the Construction Skills Managerial and Professional Health and Safety Test (CSCS), proving Trewin Design’s commitment to Health and Safety within the construction industry. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.trewin-design.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=136&Itemid= Trewin Design Partnership are pleased to present their new website... now featuring more projects to demonstrate their diverse skills in all market sectors. We have also included a news section, where you can find updates and news article from the practice. Our latest Newsletter will also be available to download from here. We welcome your comments and appreciate any feedback. Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100