Revitalising St Dunstan’s House: The refurbishment of St Dunstan’s House in Glastonbury is a key project under the Glastonbury Town Deal, set to transform this historic building into a Community Health and Wellbeing Centre by summer 2025. This ambitious redevelopment, led by O2i Design Ltd, balances heritage restoration with modern enhancements.
A striking new glazed atrium will seamlessly link St Dunstan’s House to the Town Hall, fostering connectivity and social engagement. Inside, careful restoration will preserve original parquet flooring, fireplaces, and wooden details. At the same time, contemporary upgrades include a lift for full accessibility, a new Magdalene Street entrance, and a Changing Places facility.
Due for completion in summer 2025, St Dunstan’s House will launch a dynamic programme of health and wellbeing initiatives. You can read more here.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
As the year draws to a close, we wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas and holidays. We hope your celebrations are joyous and the New Year brings health and happiness.
Our offices will be closed from Monday, 23rd December 2024, and reopen on Monday, 6th January 2025. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
From all of us at O2i Design Ltd.
Photo Courtesy of Lina Kivaka
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
Newly refurbished Engine Room reopens in May 2024.
Somerset Film’s base, The Engine Room, serves as a unique community media centre in Bridgwater and stands as the flagship project in the Bridgwater Town Deal’s revitalisation initiative. As the first of eleven transformative projects, The Engine Room’s expansion not only enhances the town centre but also sets a benchmark in sustainable, community-focused design.
Deborah Richardson, Creative Director of Somerset Film, highlights the impact of this design-led transformation: “The expansion of The Engine Room is more than just a structural update; it represents our commitment to fostering artistic collaboration and engaging the local community across all ages and backgrounds. As a non-profit, charity-driven organisation, we leverage the power of film and digital technology to connect and empower communities, supporting sustainable growth and creative engagement.” To read about the Engine Room and Somerset Film please see the link here.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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A common question we get asked is … what are the likely Building Costs? It is common sense that understanding Building Costs is key when embarking on any project.
Are you planning to build a house in Somerset in 2024 but uncertain about the costs? This comprehensive guide, recently featured in Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine, offers invaluable insights. Learn about likely build costs in 2024 and gain essential knowledge for your construction project. Whether you’re envisioning your dream home from the ground up or planning a renovation, understanding the financial aspects is vital. You can access the excellent article here: How much does it cost to build a house in 2024? | Homebuilding
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
Discover the vibrant world of architectural salvage near Langport. Reclamation yards offer unique finds for Heritage and Conservation projects.
These yards and markets buy and sell architectural parts from demolished buildings.
Find handmade period pieces instead of mass-produced items. Whether it’s reclaimed bricks or vintage library ladders, your local yard has it. Speak to enthusiastic experts who source specific items for buyers.
It may take time, but they know where to find what you need. Explore well-organized yards with knowledgeable owners. They have vintage signs, reclaimed timbers, and historic flagstones. Unlock treasures at our favourite salvage yards and markets near Langport and transform your projects with timeless pieces.
Now that you have that one-off piece or handmade materials, you can pat yourself on the back. Not only are you enhancing your building but you are also being green at the same time. Win/win all round!
We’ve enjoyed designing a unique building for a Somerset cider farm, nestled amidst picturesque orchards.
Renowned for its apples and cider, this farm will host guests, inviting visitors to explore cider-making, sample exquisite ciders, and join farm events and tours. Located in cider country, this family-owned farm has a rich heritage of apple cultivation and cider production. This cider-making family is immensely proud to be part of the Somerset farming tradition of growing apples and making cider on the farm.
Through close collaboration with the owners, the O2i Design team has ensured a welcoming space for cider enthusiasts. This family business in South Somerset is proud to create award-winning ciders from its beautiful orchards. They eagerly look forward to sharing their cider-making journey with visitors through this newly envisioned space.
The O2i Design Team wishes you and your families a Happy Christmas and Merry New Year 2024.
The office is closed from midday on 22nd December 2023 and will reopen on 8th January 2024. Our team is taking time off, so we may take longer than usual to reply to your messages.
But hold up… before we close down for our long-awaited annual holiday, we wanted to thank you for all your support and custom over the last year. It means a great deal to us. We have delighted in working with existing, repeat, and new customers over the last twelve months.
We wish you all a cheerful and peaceful festive period and hope you will enjoy Christmas and New Year with family and friends.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Two new build homes in Langport, designed by Duncan Pyle, are nearing completion. The contemporary dwellings sit on the edge of the town.
The steel frames for these three-storey new builds were fabricated offsite and then assembled and welded/bolted on location. Steel frame construction is ideal for tall buildings due to its strength, lightness, and quick assembly.
Large windows and balconies maximize the modern design and capture stunning views of the Somerset Levels, flooding each floor with daylight. Surrounded by green open space, these homes feel spacious and bright.
Private balconies offer sweeping views of the River Parrett. Despite their secluded location, these new builds are conveniently close to local amenities and just a short walk from Langport’s vibrant high street.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
The O2i Design team recently secured Planning and Listed Building Consent to restore a barn within a historic 15th Century Manor Farm.
Located within the curtilage of a 15th-century Manor Farmhouse and a Grade I listed building, this project holds immense historical significance. Dendrochronology** experts meticulously dated on-site timbers, revealing a timeline spanning from 1238 to 1411. These findings solidify the project’s status as one of our oldest sites.
Commissioned by our client, we embark on transforming a dilapidated barn into a new home, preserving heritage and providing housing for future farming generations on-site. The farm is a modern and forward-thinking farm that is transitioning to agroecology, reimagining a new small farm future where farms feed people justly rather than via an extractive, cumbersome, and commodified food system.
**Dendrochronology, analyzing growth ring patterns, offers crucial insights into dating archaeological artefacts, enriching our understanding of the site’s history.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Exciting news! We’ve made it to the Finals of the LABC Awards 2020 (South West). It’s a big boost to get this recognition, and we’re proud of our two South Somerset homes and local construction teams.
Both projects are competing in the Best Extension or Alteration to an Existing Dwelling category. Here’s what we’ve been up to:
We crafted an oak framed extension for a listed home in Long Sutton.
We did a full remodel of another listed house in Somerton.
While searching for a barn conversion project for their next home, Duncan and Andrea Pyle, architectural designers from O2i Design Ltd, came across some dilapidated stone buildings near Taunton, Somerset, which used to belong to the Duchy of Cornwall. They relished the challenge of repurposing this agricultural site with Grade II listed barns into a residential home to combine rural charm and a contemporary style. You can read the article in full here
Author: Andrea Pyle
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During the summer months, Langport High Street brightens up with the vibrant Langport Flags. This year, we had the honour of designing and painting our very own flag.
For 16 weeks every summer, these colourful flags adorn Langport’s main streets. They’re part of a project by the Langport and Huish Episcopi Youth Group, which has grown significantly in recent years.
Designing and painting the flag for Langport and Huish youth was a blast. Thanks to Kitchen-Langport for sponsoring the flag, flying proudly on Bank Chambers.
Our flag features Skye, one of the early cranes from The Great Crane Project championed by O2i Design Ltd. These majestic birds now grace the Somerset Wetlands regularly, which is fantastic. Learn more about the Great Crane Projecthere.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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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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Today’s press highlights the commercial refurbishment of Bath & West Rural Enterprise Centre. The Bath & West Society unveils plans for a new Rural Enterprise Centre. This project is part of a phased overhaul of the Showground. It involves converting old society offices into a state-of-the-art Rural Enterprise Centre. The investment aims to attract new clients to the Showground.
From early 2018, the Bath & West Rural Enterprise Centre will offer a conference and seminar area for up to 80 people. It will feature a modern industrial test kitchen, multiple meeting rooms, and business office space for agri-food or rurally focused companies. The Centre will play a crucial role in fostering the growth of agricultural businesses and food and drink companies. You can read more about it here.
Author: Andrea Pyle
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Categories: Latest News
Step into our latest feature in The Telegraph Magazine! We’re excited to see our work and our clients’ captivating family stories gracing the pages.
Explore the marvellous home, where every corner is adorned with family history, reflecting the passion of their journey. This heartwarming tale truly deserves recognition. Dive into the pages of the June 17th, 2017 issue to experience our journey and the inspirations behind this project.
