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Why we use BIM and why it’s great news for you!

What is BIM?

BIM stands for Building Information Modelling. It is a broad term that describes creating and managing digital information about a building. Essentially, it’s the way in which architects now design buildings.

It’s purpose is to have all the information about a project in one place, in order to allow better decisions to be made throughout the design process.

The benefits of using BIM

1. This technology takes about half the time that hand drawn designs used to take, but allows us to delve into much more detail on the plans

2. Communicating the design can be made very creative and exciting. Using Virtual Realty technology you can virtually step inside your future home!

3. Facilitating collaboration has never been easier, several individuals can edit the design and input their ideas during meetings

 

4. Human error, although inevitable, can be reduced significantly as the design can be checked and corrected much quicker than with hand drawn designs

5. It makes changes to designs much easier. For example changing the size of windows can be altered at the click of a button and the roof height altered accordingly

6. Having all of the information in one place also means that it is much easier to facilitate RFI’s when needed

7. It considers the design as a whole, for example; aesthetics, material selection, access, maintenance and construction.

8. Provides spacial awareness and retains the feel of the original design

 

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Our Design Process

If you want to find out more detail about our design process, take a look at the PDF below.

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.livingspacearchitects.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LSA-Brochure-new.pdf” title=”LSA Brochure (new)”]

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Wellbeing and Heritage

The intriguing link between wellbeing and heritage

“Directly or indirectly, well-being, in some shape or other…is the subject of every thought, and object of every action, on the part of every known Being…nor can any intelligible reason be given for desiring that it should be otherwise.”

– Jeremy Bentham, Chrestomathia (1817)

We specialise in bringing historic and listed buildings back to life, we were pleased to hear that according to recent research by Historic England  living in historic buildings makes you healthier and happier.

What is wellbeing?

‘‘Wellbeing can be understood as how people feel and how they function, both on a personal and a social level, and how they evaluate their lives as a whole.” New Economics

How does heritage impact on our mental health?

  • Historic sites often require volunteers to run. The act of volunteering over time makes us feel happy and fulfilled within ourselves
  • Visiting heritage sites gives us an opportunity to spend time with family and friends whilst being immersed in culture and meeting new people with similar interests
  • We feel pride in the historic buildings in our area, they give us a sense of place e.g. In Exeter our historic buildings such as Exeter Cathedral and Exeter Castle give us a sense of pride where we live

Image result for Exeter Cathedral

The Results

“People who visit heritage sites are happier than those who do not. As noted earlier, between 2010 and 2013, on average, those who had visited a heritage site in the previous 12 months, reported happiness scores 1.6% greater than those who had not.” – Heritage Counts 2016 Report

In summary, heritage sites can help combat issues of isolation, exclusion and lack of identity, by building relationships between people and places.

Latest news from Living Space Architects 06/02/2019

1. Planning submitted for Grade II listed ‘Red House’ apartment

We are excited to have  submitted planning permission for a Grade II listed ground floor apartment on Topsham Road that is part of the larger three storey house ‘Red House’. Situated close to Wyvern Barracks, this house was possibly once Officers accommodation, and its well-preserved South East facade bears witness to the traditions of late Georgian housing. The proposed adaptations will turn the cellular apartment into a more open plan and contemporary home internally whilst retaining the important historical features.

2. Are barn conversions the new way forward to create your Grand Design

Check out our 10 top tips for gaining Class Q consent on our blog:

https://www.livingspacearchitects.com/http:/www.livingspacearchitects.com/features/our-10-top-tips-for-gaining-class-q-consent

3. Learning about ‘The Retrofit Revolution’

We attended a seminar run by conservation and energy experts Mitchell & Dickinson to learn about the ‘Retrofit Revolution’. With a report from parliament stating that all houses must be carbon neutral by 2035, older properties are posed with a huge challenge to meet this target. We learned about the benefits of retrofitting  and why it is important to start now in order to upgrade listed buildings and improve their quality and comfort.

4. Planning consent achieved for alteration to a Grade II listed house in Topsham

We are delighted to have received planning approval for an extension and alterations to a Grade II listed house in Topsham. The proposed adaptations will update and improve the property, creating a more contemporary and connected home. The historical significance of the property will be maintained, as our detailed designs allow for these changes to be made with minimal impact to the existing house.