The O2i Design Team wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and New Year 2023. We hope you all enjoy a cheerful festive period.
Thank you for all your support and custom over the last year. It means a great deal to us, and we were delighted to continue working with existing and repeat customers and new ones.
Our offices will be closed from 18.30 hours Tuesday, 20th December 2022 and reopen on Thursday, 5th January 2023. We will be back at our desks and virtual drawing boards, raring to go after a lovely break. We’re all looking forward to hearing about your potential projects and ideas, so if 2023 is giving you “New year, new home” vibes, please pick up the phone for an informal chat and, in the meantime, if you want to see what we have been up to over the last year, take a look at our project section here.
Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and peaceful New Year
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
Two new homes in Langport are nearing completion. Designed by Duncan Pyle, these contemporary dwellings are situated on the edge of this popular town.
The three-storey steel frame for these newbuilds was fabricated and cut to the correct length offsite. The steels were assembled and welded/bolted on site to build the final structure. Steel frame construction is considered a suitable option for constructing taller buildings due to its strength, low weight, speed of construction, and large-span construction capability.
The modern design makes the most of the location, with large windows and balconies. The buildings’ large windows frame stunning views over the Somerset Levels and ensure that each floor is flooded with daylight. Surrounded by green open space, these modern homes are light and airy. The large private balconies make the most of the location, which offers far-reaching views over the River Parrett. These two newbuilds are situated in a tucked-away position yet close to all local amenities and only a short walk from Langport’s bustling high street.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
The O2i Design team have just secured Planning and Listed Building Consent for a truly historic farm.
The project is based within the curtilage of a 15th Century Manor Farmhouse and a Grade I listed building. Dendrochronology* experts have dated timbers on-site between 1238 and 1411, making this one of the oldest buildings we have ever worked on.
Our client commissioned the O2i Design team to help create a new home in an existing and dilapidated barn. You can imagine our excitement, which means that the next generation of farmers has somewhere to live on site.
*Dendrochronology dates archaeological artefacts using the distinctive patterns of annual growth rings in timber.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
We’re delighted, thrilled and appreciative to have made the Finals of the LABC Awards 2020 (South West). It’s a boost to receive such positive recognition, and we’re proud to have two South Somerset homes and local construction teams in the finals.
Both projects are in the Best Extension or Alteration to an Existing Dwelling category. Our projects are:
an oak framed extension on a listed home in Long Sutton and
This Renovation Project is featured in an article published in the Western County Gazette on 14th November 2019. It covers the phased renovation Project for barns in rural Somerset. The original barns were converted in three phases to provide a modern family home. It is the renovation and restoration of Andrea and Duncan’s own home on the Somerset Levels. You can read the article in full here
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
Every summer, the Langport Flags come out to adorn the High Street for the summer months. This year, we were fortunate enough to be asked to design and paint our own flag.
For 16 weeks each summer, these colourful flags decorate the main streets of Langport. They are part of a Langport and Huish Episcopi Youth Group project, which has grown considerably over the last few years.
We had so much fun creating a design and painting this flag for Langport and Huish youth. Our friends at Kitchen-Langport have sponsored the flag and flies on Bank Chambers. Yep, we do like to keep it all very local.
It represents Skye, one of the early cranes from The Great Crane Project that O2i Design Ltd chose to champion. These amazing, iconic birds are now regulars on the Somerset Wetlands, which is fabulous. You can read more about the Great Crane Project here.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
Duncan and Andrea’s listed barn conversion was featured in the property supplement of the Metro Newspaper today (issue 19 March 2019). The article is a realistic account of what a conversion might entail. The ups and the downs! This major renovation project was extensive and complex and was carried out whilst the family lived on site.
The couple loves the functionality of the family home they have created, and it is modern, homely and cosy.
They spent a day on the photo shoot, which was great fun. It allowed them to work again with Langport photographer Bill Bradshaw and meet journalist Chantelle Horton who came down to Somerset to quiz them about the project. It was also the perfect opportunity to think about everything they love about this home.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
Architectural salvage is big business today, and it is no surprise. Reclamation yards are the go-to places for unique finds. We often specify reclaimed items for Heritage and Conservation projects. The right materials or products will make all the difference to your project’s look, feel and integrity.
There are several immensely helpful yards not far from Langport. There is nowhere better than an architectural (or marine) salvage yard for all those hard-to-find building materials and statement pieces! Salvage or reclamation yards buy and sell architectural parts and materials recovered from demolished or disused buildings. Why would you buy a mass-produced item when you could buy a handmade period piece for the same price? Whether you are looking for reclaimed bricks or a vintage library ladder, look no further than your local reclamation yard.
Of course, finding that specialist item will take time and money but speak to these enthusiastic experts. These specialists source particular items for buyers all the time. It may take a while to locate the right article, but, in our experience, they will usually know someone who can and sometimes, you have to be patient! These yards are well organised. The owner will know exactly where to find that particular “thing” you are looking for among the vintage signs, reclaimed timbers, bricks and flagstones. They know their stock better than anyone.
Here are a few of our favourites …
We love the February 2018 issue of Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine. It features a barn conversion project close to our hearts – a personal one – Our own self-build project.
We tried to apply our passion and expertise to designing and building our own home. Every architect and designer should know what it feels like to be a client. All the stress and excitement involved in a project that you are sinking your life’s savings into! We experienced everything first-hand. We kept to our tight budget and timescale. Even when the bats had very different ideas about delaying the build and learned some valuable lessons along the way. Today we can share those lessons learnt with our clients.
O2i Design Ltd represent the South West in the National LABC Building Excellence Awards 2017. The National finals of LABC – Local Authority Building Control awards occur in London on Friday, 11th November 2017.
These awards recognise exceptional buildings from a technical and construction point of view. The Awards look at the technical challenges that the construction and design teams face, and the awards celebrate collaborative work to overcome these issues.
The O2i Design team were unable to attend but very proud that this exciting project represented the South West.
Being the South West Regional Winner for the Best Public Service Building was a tremendous honour. You can read more about this interesting project here.
Author: Stuart Dent
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Categories: Latest News
The commercial refurbishment of Bath & West Rural Enterprise Centre is highlighted in the press today. The Bath & West Society revealed its plans to develop a new Rural Enterprise Centre and you can read all about it here.
This work is part of a phased overhaul of the Showground. It includes converting the old society offices into a state-of-the-art Rural Enterprise Centre. This investment is taking place as the Showground looks to attract a range of new clients.
Available from early 2018, the Bath & West Rural Enterprise Centre will provide a conference and seminar area for up to 80 people, a modern industrial test kitchen, several meeting rooms and business office space for agri-food or rurally focused companies. The Centre will be an important facility in encouraging the growth of agricultural businesses and food and drink companies.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
The Telegraph Magazine has featured one of our recent projects in their magazine. We could not feel prouder. It is so very gratifying to see this owner’s wonderful family story told in a beautiful space, with so many fine pieces around them. We are extremely happy that this refurbishment project and extension of a family home has had the exposure it deserves. (17 June 2017 Issue)
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
