14 BUILD Q4 2022 Jul22578 JSA Architects, founded in 2002, is an established architectural practice that is widely admired for its creative and sustainable approach to architecture. We find out more from Chris Wood in the wake of the firm being recognised in the Design & Build Awards 2022. SA Architects is an interdisciplinary architectural practice with a design-first approach to everything it undertakes. The firm’s varied workforce is made up of architects, technologists, interior designers, visualisers, and project managers, so it is able to execute its projects with a holistic approach – ensuring everything from design to planning, and cost to construction matters are considered. “We’ve always valued collaboration, not just amongst our studio, but also with our clients and external partners too,” explains Chris Wood, the firm’s Co-Owner and Director. “This is something that we consider to be fundamental to the success of any project and what has made us the first choice for anybody who wants to enjoy the design and construction process.” Headquartered in Derby, and with regional studios in Nottingham and Solihull, JSA has established a name for itself not only in the Midlands, but nationwide, specialising in the residential sectors, designing multi-million pound super homes, eco-homes, Passivhaus’, and residential developments, but in recent years we’ve been taking on more and more commercial schemes, ensuring that we are guided by the same principles that made us so successful in housing. The firm has a very progressive vision, one that challenges the status quo and takes full advantage of new technologies. “We’re well-versed in construction matters and modern methods of construction (MMC), such as ICF, SIPS, and prefabricated timber frame. However, we also remain respectful of traditional methods too as we still do a lot of conservation and restoration work,” Chris elaborates. “We recognise the value of administrative technologies and take full advantage wherever we can. Our studios are all operated using cloud systems, our hardware is state of the art; we employ the use of specialist software such as CAD, BIM, and visualisation programmes.” As a small practice that is driven by a youthful, highly skilled, and extremely motivated team, Chris has found that the projects the firm undertakes do a lot of the ‘talking’ for them, with lots of clients being drawn to the company through social media and the website. “Clients are often like-minded passionate people who care for quality and collaboration, like us – self-builders and bespoke commercial developers mostly, but we’ve been approached more recently for our out-of-the-box approach to difficult commercial sites. We have an incredible success rate for planning applications, including many sites in greenbelt, listed buildings or those with chequered planning history.” Just some of the projects that JSA are currently involved in include Woodsend – a contemporary Scandinavian inspired family home set on the edge of a dense woodland with far reaching views over the rolling hills of Nottinghamshire. With J planning permission granted in full in 2018, the project is nearing completion and JSA are excited to be releasing details of the finished project in the coming months. Another exciting project that is under construction and moving forward is Newton Park – a multimillion pound ‘super-home’. With an initial brief to replace a modest four-bedroom dwelling set on its four aces of land, their clients wanted a harmonious modernist home, as well as an outdoor entertainment space and ancillary accommodation to maintain the grounds. JSA designed a substantial home that was ‘visually connected’ enabling increased interactions between spaces and rooms – something which is important when designing substantial properties. As champions of sustainability, features such as ground source heat pumps, solar PV, and battery storage all contribute towards minimal running costs and are also geared to deliver a more sustainable future for its occupants. Chris and the team at JSA are passionate about providing a more environmentally friendly built-environment and do all they can to secure a better future for the planet. “When we meet our prospective clients, we’re often told that we’re chosen as their architects because our energy and enthusiasm really shines through,” Chris enthuses. “They knew that we would care as much about their project as they do. JSA also champion sustainable architecture and technology, and hold the impact our designs have on mental well-being in high regard. These aren’t buzzwords for us, and we don’t think that sustainability has to mean expensive technology, just smart design.” Recently, the company was recognised in the Design & Build Awards 2022 and bestowed with the prestigious title of Best Creative Architectural Design Studio 2022 – Derby. Chris, who is understandably delighted, is keen to point out that the award is very much a team effort. “Our people are what make us who we are, and are the reason we can boast successes such as these awards of recognition. It is our collective vision and aspirations for the future of our built environment that drew all of us to JSA in the first place, and it’s what sustains us and gives purpose to the work we do. We strive to create a better and more healthy environment, and form lasting relationships along the way with those that share our aspirations.” Among these future aspirations include continuing to engage in meaningful long-term relationships with commercial clients, and forming partnerships with consultants in those circles. Contact: Chris Wood Company: JSA Architects Web Address: www.jsa.design Best Creative Architectural Studio 2022 – Derby
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