Build Architecture Awards 2016

Build 2016 Architecture Awards 94 Company: PLK Design Limited Telephone: 01923 850 623 Website: http://www.plkdesign.com LK Design Limited’s expert services are backed up by more than 25 years of professional architectural design and project management experience in the construction industry, working for private householders and commercial clients alike. Paul outlines the history of the firm. “Before starting PLK Design Limited with my (now late) wife Kate, I had pre- viously worked for a small architectural practice in Dublin where I was first introduced to house design. I then joined BBC Radio at Broadcasting House in London where I designed and managed radio studio and office construc- tion projects. After four great years at the Beeb, I was offered a position at The First National Bank of Chicago (which later merged with JP Morgan). I spent 12 years there in various architectural and project management roles – ultimately as Vice President and Head of European Real Estate & Facilities. “The idea for PLK Design Limited began in a conversation with Kate one morn- ing in summer 2004 as we were house hunting. We decided that we wanted to design our own house and from there it was a short step to starting our own architectural practice. Kate was very creative and drove the business start-up process from the beginning. She coordinated communication, customer support, advertising, office administration and the million other things that need to be done to build a small business from scratch. My role was to deliver architectural and project management services for our fledgling list of clients. “The first 18 months were very challenging as we tried to work out the correct balance and to find our niche in and around Hertfordshire, Bedford- shire, Essex and North West London. We worked in both the commercial and domestic sectors, seeking smaller projects so that we could provide excellent customer care and attention to detail. In this way we found that we slowly picked up a healthy set of clients through family, friends, neighbours, former colleagues and local advertising. In the first year we were commis- sioned on a really existing project to design extensions for an incredible, original Elizabethan thatched cottage in Stanstead, Essex. It was this project which inspired us to focus mainly on domestic architecture.” Following this project, the firm found themselves with a number of complet- ed projects which gained rapid attention, and by 2006 the firm no longer needed to advertise, with referrals from satisfied clients providing enough business to make the firm the success it is today. Paul outlines a number of projects which have been particularly successful. “PLK Design went from strength to strength in the following years and we completed some really fascinating projects. One in particular that springs to mind is the restoration, extension and expansion of a beautiful High Vic- torian detached villa in South Hertfordshire, which involved re-constructing crumbling façades, roofs & chimneys, building a new basement, side & rear extensions, a loft conversion, a new detached garage, garden landscaping and a large detached summer house building in the extensive gardens. To add to the fun, the house is Locally Listed, is in a Conservation Area and within the Metropolitan Green Belt. “The garden also boasts an impressive collection of very large protected trees which influenced everything we did to the house and landscape. The design, planning & project management for this project had to be exception- ally meticulous and sensitive which played to PLK Design Limited’s particular strengths. Careful coordination was required with many stakeholders, gov- ernment agencies and partners to get the project built. Our client and their family moved into the completed home last year and they were so happy that they have since commissioned PLK Design Limited to design a new garden gymnasium building and to redesign/extend their second home.” Looking to the future, Paul is optimistic about the exciting opportunities the firm has in store. “We are looking forward with renewed impetus and excitement to delivering excellent and innovative architectural services to our clients in the next ten years and beyond.” Best Domestic Architecture Building Consultancy - Southern UK PLK Design Limited is a Chartered Building Consultancy, specialising in domestic architec- ture. We invited Founder, Managing Director and Architectural Director Paul Kennedy to share with us the history of the firm and the secrets behind its success. P AR160019