JGJS Architecture

Just landed back in the UK after 10 incredible days cruising the Mediterranean! What an amazing experience! From an architect's perspective, these ships are truly phenomenal spaces. It brought back memories of an opportunity I had many years ago to work on the renovation of the QE2 when she went into dry dock. Sadly, that project halted when the purchasing company went into administration, but it's fantastic to see her now thriving as a hotel in Dubai. While our team was part of the design, working on merchant ships like this requires specific RINA (Royal Institution of Naval Architects) qualifications, so naval architects truly lead that charge. I've always admired the engineering prowess behind cruise ships, though I still believe a skyscraper represents the pinnacle of design and engineering. However, the complexity of a self-contained city at sea is certainly on par. The shipping industry has always been heavily regulated, and it's exciting to see new cruise ships launching this year with a strong focus on cleaner energy to reduce their carbon impact. 2025 is set to welcome nine new cruise ships to the market. The largest of these, part of the MSC group, boasts a massive 6,762 berths, while Richard Branson's new liner, in comparison, will host 2,770. These new vessels are increasingly powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). As one of the cleanest-burning non-electric marine fuels, LNG has reportedly reduced sulphur emissions by up to 99% and nitrogen oxides by as much as 85%. It's clear the industry is prioritising sustainability: ·        Most major cruise lines are removing all single-use plastics. ·        Onboard recycling and composting programs are becoming standard. ·        New builds are significantly more energy-efficient. While cruising can sometimes get a tough rap, the innovation in these new vessels is impressive. We're seeing solar panels, advanced exhaust scrubber systems, and innovative hull designs for better hydrodynamics. Even the kitchens are contributing with cooking oil conversion systems, and for one cruise ship, the biodiesel fuel is being used to run a fleet of vehicles in Barbados. I've also heard of exciting collaborations with marine charities to collect vital ocean health and climate data. As you can probably tell, I'm a big cruising fan and always keen to highlight the positives. While we might not be able to declare "green cruising" just yet, it's truly encouraging to witness the industry's significant strides towards better environmental credentials. #MarineArchitecture #Architect #CruiseShips #SustainableDesign #NavalArchitecture

Probably over 50% of clients' initial reaction to a flat roof will be negative, but is that now an unfounded reaction? Flat Roofs: From Problem Child to Design Powerhouse. As an architect, it's fascinating to reflect on how much the perception and performance of flat roofs have evolved. Gone are the days of constant leaks and limited potential. Modern flat roof technology, advanced waterproofing systems, and innovative insulation solutions have truly transformed them into versatile and sustainable elements of contemporary architecture. From creating valuable rooftop amenity spaces – think green roofs and terraces, to efficiently housing mechanical services and supporting solar arrays, the benefits are undeniable. They offer design flexibility, clean lines, and opportunities for maximising usable space on a constrained footprint. Of course, successful flat roof design hinges on meticulous detailing, robust material selection, and expert installation. But when done right, they're not just a structural element; they're an integral part of a building's performance and aesthetic appeal. I probably invest far too much time in researching the roofing materials to provide my clients with the best warranties available. I have recently been in discussions with Polyroof, a UK manufacturer who provides the technical support and are happy to work from my plans to give my clients accurate specifications. On top of this they only sell to roofers who have been through their training and accreditation process, which enables them to keep control of the quality of their products and the installation. Roofing is still an area of construction that remains self-regulated; its industry body, the NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors), is driving change through training and certification, but membership is not mandatory yet. In an increasingly dense urban landscape, every square meter counts. That's why, as an architect, I see flat roofs not as a mere covering, but as a critical opportunity to add value and sustainability to our projects. If you are looking at a new product and need to discuss the options available on optimising every metre, get in touch. #architect #archtecturalpractice #architecturaldesigner (the recent extension I shared with a pitched roof and flat roof on the top)

Project completion – I'm pleased to announce that this single-storey rear extension near Reading is now finished! In August 2024, I was introduced to a lovely couple in Caversham through one of my construction partners, Mark Fowles, from Elivate Ltd.. The Client was seeking an architect to draw up plans for an extension that would transform their current kitchen into a gourmet space — a place where they could enjoy cooking together, and also bring the heart of their home closer to their garden with three-leaf bi-folding doors. Much of my work involves understanding how the space will be used, which is achieved through those initial meetings and exploring options with clients. I collaborated closely with the planners in Reading to ensure a smooth process, making a minor adjustment to the utility space to address their queries. I believe we successfully created a practical Loo and Utility area that met both the planners’ and the clients' specifications. The client remarked in their review of my work: “Our builder referred us to James, who was extremely helpful in helping us create our vision for a kitchen & utility extension. James was on top of the process and secured the all-important planning permission. We found James very easy to deal with.” One of the aspects I most enjoy in my professional life is seeing a project reach completion and witnessing the clients’ delight with their new spaces. From the photos, it’s clear that this new area has transformed their living environment. Thanks to the fantastic work of the Elivate construction team, this extension has been beautifully realised. As you can see, the clients have an excellent eye for design and have turned a functional kitchen extension into a show home, enlivening the interior brick wall feature with a mix of prints and carefully selected kitchen accessories. I would also like to acknowledge Tony Hackett Photography, who captured the essence of the new space and highlighted some of the construction details that make this project so exceptional. #architect #architecturaldesign #planners #newextension

It's not Eat, Pray, Love; it's Study, Exams, and Golf! How Golf and Studying for your GCSEs seem to have many parallels. On Monday this week, I spent a fabulous day with Phil Johnson from Archway Business Solutions Ltd at the Mapledurham Golf Club, where Phil had kindly sponsored 2 teams at the ReadiFood Charity Golf Day and I was fortunate enough to be one of his guests. On the same day, my 15-year-old was head down and locked into his GCSE study programme, with eight subjects still to go and three maths papers to face. I was trying to remember what that was like, as his school is what I would call ‘highly competitive’ and I think that my experience was less so. I pondered that “Maybe it’s important in today's world that young people start to be exposed to that level of competition” as I was enjoying a competitive round of golf. I think that really hit home when I was teeing off at the 14th hole and I ‘smoked the drive’ It was an exceptional shot, 225 yards in a straight line and with just a little chip onto the green. That’s where it all ended! From then on I headed into the bunker, not once but twice, and the hole ended in a 9!! Any golfers out there will know exactly what that felt like, I had to work hard to change my mindset and my next tee off didn’t go anywhere near as well as I had hoped, but after a stiff talking to myself, some great encouragement from my team, I was able to get my head back in the game. Finishing with a respectable albeit not, straight A score. The day ended with food and lots of laughter, especially about my disastrous 14th hole. My son's exams may be similar; he might have an exceptional day and come out of an exam feeling like he ‘smoked’ the paper (not literally), but there may be other papers he doesn’t feel are going so well. At least we can share our experiences over recent days and commiserate together and motivate each other. It seems to be that exams and golf are similar to life experiences in general, and I would rather my son wasn’t having to study quite so hard, but after my day at the golf course, I may need to get in some additional practice to help improve my game. When Life throws you a golf ball, do your very best to catch it! If my son ends up with a few 9s on his scorecard come August, then he will have done amazing work but I will be a proud dad whatever he achieves, because of all his hard work. hashtag #architect

Well, what do you think? So far, the feedback has been great, but I would love to hear from my LinkedIn connections about my new video and the brand extension of James Spiteri, Your Architect. It's taken time to plan and bring this together, but along with the incredible Videographer, Vince Marti Rubio from Marti Rubio, this video will now be front and centre of my new website. My main business JGJS Architecture, will remain focused on my commercial clients, including house builders and medium-sized developers. This new website will be pointing towards homeowners, looking for extensions, loft conversions or one-off new builds. For this to have worked, I have to have long-term relationships with clients who have valued the service I have provided. Colin and Jess are returning customers. I worked with them on their home in Windsor with plans for an extension, and then again recently on this single-storey kitchen extension with this stunning vaulted ceiling, which gives this additional feeling of space, this property is also in Windsor, Berkshire. Both Colin and Jess’s responses were to some questions posed by Vince, teasing out from them their experience of working with me and how a partnership was created. I really enjoyed being a part of the interview and felt humbled by their kind words. Vince orchestrated the whole process, from the lighting, the room setup, the questions, and then the final editing. I couldn’t have asked for any more (as you can tell, I am pleased with the results), but the real test is your feedback, which I would welcome. Building an extension to my existing business and focusing on the personal service I provide to my customers was the brief. I think Vince captured that well and Colin and Jess sharing exactly what working with me felt like, will hopefully now provide new and potential clients reassurance that they are getting a partner in their new project, not just a technical designer. #architect

How long are you expecting to wait for planning approval? The answer will often depend on which local authority you live in, or who is the planning officer allocated to your development or home renovation project! This can be a postcode lottery, but the ticket price is significantly higher! If you live in Carlisle, The City of London or Halton, which I had never heard of but is in Cheshire, you are going to have a much better chance of getting your planning approval first time with 97% of all applications approved, I would really like to understand why that is the case and what other authorities can do to improve their % approval. Imagine living in Harrow and wanting to extend your home or develop a piece of land, only 64% of planning applications get approval, they have the lowest average approval rate in England! On average, 13% of applications are rejected, so 86% get approval, there is a lot of talk about NIMBYs in the UK, but the statistics would suggest we have far more YIMBYs which is YES in my back yard, of course unless you are in Harrow. If you take a look at some of the details behind the headline numbers, the real impact is faced by the larger applicants with developments of over 10 homes getting the most refusals and primarily in London and the South East and East of England, refusing 1 in 2 applicants. This is an expensive and lengthy process for the larger developers, and planning for a 50% chance of a no must take some grit. If you take a quick look at the population growth forecasts for the next 10 years, by 2036, there will be another 6.6 million in the country, meaning we are going to have to build an average of 382,000 homes a year and we are currently only achieving 240,000 (2022-23) annually in England. Planning plays such a critical part in the process, and with departments heavily under-resourced and a vacuum of communication in most cases when an application is rejected,  developers, architects and homeowners can remain frustrated and financially out of pocket. On average, it takes about 3 months to get a planning application through the system and we need to encourage more developers to the table with projects that will yet a Yes! #architect 

Is section 73b going to really help or do anything else you can't already do with a minor amendment or the existing section 73?  We are talking about ‘interpretation’, and is this going to achieve the intention of simplifying the planning process? Upon reviewing the proposal, I am increasingly concerned that it may add yet another layer of complexity to an already lengthy procedure. While the intention is to improve conditions for developers and property owners wishing to extend their properties, in the short term, it appears to introduce additional technical components that, much like the existing sections 73 and 96b, remain open to interpretation. For context, Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act permits the submission of a planning application solely for the removal or variation of a condition in an already approved planning permission, mainly to achieve a minor material or non-material amendment.  With me so far?? However, a significant challenge remains: there is no clear definition of ‘what constitutes a material change’, leaving this subject to speculation and the discretion of individual planning authorities and their officers. Consequently, it is vital to collaborate with a local architect who understands how each planning authority operates. What difference, if any, will Section 73b make?  This provision will allow for material variations to an existing planning permission, provided they do not ‘substantially differ’ from the original. It is also anticipated that this will encourage larger developers to be more precise in their descriptions, as they will technically be able to adjust them. This change aims to save time and enhance transparency in the process. These developments stem from the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act of 2023, which seeks to enhance and streamline the planning process to facilitate the construction of more homes. But is this what we need, more legislation? Section 73b is not yet official; while the consultation closed in May 2024, it is hoped it will be enacted in the coming months. So, what do you think, is this another layer for the construction industry to have to navigate, or could this be something that is going to improve an already heavily legislative process? #architect #planningapplication

A blast from the past: I recently met up with a previous client to find out what life has been like living in the extension we got through planning all those years ago. This customer lives in a 1960s property in Cookham, Maidenhead, and they had a simple single-storey rear extension on their home, but what a difference this additional space has made. This was the first time they had ever taken on any kind of building project, and the client explained how important it was to have an architect as part of that process. They felt at the time the property needed to be modernised and wanted to find the best way to do that but were limited at the time by budget. Of course, budget is always a consideration, you would rarely have a client without any budget on a project. Even those with limitless funds still tend to have a budget in mind. This customer had spent time looking at other friends and neighbours building projects and although they liked what they had achieved, they felt that what JGJS produced in the plans made far more of the space available and delivered it within an acceptable price. They did say that in hindsight, they might have “pushed the boat out a bit more,” but I think when it’s a first project, it's not unusual to be more careful about the financial estimate and try and keep within your original expenditure goals. I asked what they felt they got by using an architect on this project, rather than going to a design and build construction company.  The customer explained that although they had an idea of what they wanted to achieve, they couldn’t see how it could work practically. They explained that I had been able to do that for them, giving them a range of design options and making changes to the plan as their understanding improved, and that meant they could then take these plans to local reputable builders. This was a wonderful example of how using an architect on an initial project can help build confidence and bring an idea to life. The extension is now an integral part of the house, almost as if it had always been there, and you can see how it complements the original house. If you are starting to consider creating new space in your existing home, rather than that next move, get in touch and let's have an initial call. #architect

What makes me different, I suppose it’s my attitude to communication, but I expect most consultants would say that! So how do I differ and why would that make any difference to you on your next build project? As with most things in business, legislation, compliance and regulation are increasing, but probably no more apparent as in the built environment. We seem to be held responsible for a big part of global emissions, with increasing pressure on the sustainability of the build, the builder and the use of materials and meeting UK targets. Safety and the new Building Safety Act are now bearing down their full weight on all larger projects and the pressure is on our industry to meet even bigger legislative objectives. But one of the biggest impacts is the “Principal Designer” role. This is part of the new UK architectural legislation and places a much greater emphasis on safety and compliance in the build environment. We now have to demonstrate we have the right level of competence, with the necessary skills knowledge and experience and must include being up to date with industry developments and practices. This leads to a level of accountability for this role of Principal Designer which means if your Architects holds this position, they must be included in all areas of communication with a project. Although most architectural practices and practitioners have navigated this change, there are still many consultants and developers who are not aware of the legislative obligations. I have taken on board this responsibility for many of my clients, which, by the way, comes with a significant PI liability. This new role is driven by clear and concise communication, fostering a collaborative approach to the project and keeping all the stakeholders informed of any changes, or challenges the project is facing. I am fortunate that this is my natural style of working, I have always considered communication to be the essential element of good working relationships and mutually respectful partnerships, which, all building projects must have. They may be small incremental things, but responding promptly to any email, message or call should be done as a matter of urgency, once a client is onboarded and as long as they maintain a good working relationship, keeping that line of communication open at all times, will keep the project on track, on time and on budget. If you are looking for an architect who will hyper-focus on you and your build, get in touch today for more about how I work and what you can expect from our working relationship. #architect 

Can you have both? Are new housing targets being achievable alongside improving environmental credentials ? If you have seen the recent release of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) you will know that its aspiration is to favour sustainable development, which is good for the economy, society and the environment. So is that a reality and is it achievable? My initial response would be no, but I think there is a supplementary question that needs to be asked: Can we build sustainable developments economically, or, can we build affordable housing and I don’t mean social housing, I mean sustainable housing that’s truly affordable? This is housing that has low CO2 emissions, high green credentials but just as importantly housing where developers continue to make profits, making it economically sustainable for the industry and affordable to homeowners. I am sure if we were all asked, we would all want to have more green energy options which reduce costs to our monthly budgets! This is where the challenge arises, green energy solutions are still seen to be expensive and developers in this area are also hit with high labour costs, high material costs and lack of land availability. Do we think the new proposed Grey belts will help? If you look at the suggested areas, sadly areas like Wokingham, Windsor & Maidenhead, Bucks, Basingstoke and South Oxfordshire all who are struggling to meet the local housing needs and have very limited Grey belt options; it doesn’t look like its going to improve any time soon. If you ask me, it doesn’t matter if its Green, Grey or Brown, unless you can make the economics work for the developers and builders, paired with planning authorities working in collaboration with the local need rather than local objectors, we are not going to get close enough to the new numbers. I have a client who has a small proposal in (insert local authority) and when the Parish Council sat last week, most of the 15 planning applications were objected to!!! Something has to change, and I would be interested to hear what you think that might be? #architect