Ian has recently undertaken the role of Project Manager & Architect for the redevelopment of The Passage’s flagship accommodation project for homeless clients, Passage House.
The redevelopment has been a long and complicated process with a number of amendments to the design and a decision to undertake the works in a phased approach with at least 25 clients remaining in their accommodation during the build.
During this time Ian has been not only an excellent resource in terms of technical support but a calm and measured advisor on the correct steps forward in terms of key project decisions. Ian has managed the Main Contractor, Quantity Surveyor, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers and indeed The Passage as the Client with skill, drive and consideration. The project has been a resounding success from start to finish with minimal disruption to the homeless clients, staff and volunteers. The Passage now has a state of the art 40 bed hostel and a building of which we are incredibly proud. This is down to Ian’s involvement, for which I personally and the organisation are very grateful.
Roger Clark Deputy Chief Executive Officer, The Passage, Westminster - London’s largest Day Centre for Homeless People.
Ian’s scheme has now been built, and we are delighted with the results. Our experience has been an object lesson in the value an architect brings to a project, even if only used at the outset to get the basic design right, and start you off in totally the right direction.
When the kitchen and utility area in our 15th Century home in Hampshire, The Old Manor House, needed to be overhauled and extended, we asked Ian to look at how this might be done to best effect, and to prepare drawings we could use to take the project forward with a builder direct.
The Old Manor House is a Grade 2 Listed Building, and the work needed to be sensitively designed to fit-in with both the original medieval parts and the later Georgian additions.
Ian re-planned the whole area to provide not only excellent facilities that merge seamlessly with the historic sections of the House, but also used all available space to maximum effect – in a way we would not have been able to conceive ourselves.
Paul & Jane Shilling The Old Manor House
I have run a successful building company in East Kent for over 30 years and have worked with Ian on several occasions. When I bought a site at Minnis Bay to build my own house Ian was the obvious choice as architect, and he designed the house to my very specific brief, and steered the project through the Planning process.
Unlike many architects Ian’s design skills are underpinned by a solid understanding of construction, and a professional approach to everything he does.
The brief was for a tradition English detached house, with half-timbered walls and pitched gables – not a commission to enthuse a modernist architect – but Ian rose to the challenge regardless and delivered the design my wife and I were expecting.
We remain at the house two decades later, and have raised our family there – which is perhaps the strongest recommendation I can give.
Colin Harrison Harrison Construction
We recommend Ian to anyone looking for a talented and truly professional architect.
Not only does Ian work closely with clients throughout the design process, he also gives continual advice and support on all financial, contractual, and other essential aspects of the design and construction process.
Ian has worked for us and members of our family on a range of projects, including design and planning approval for a new £1.5 million detached house on the North Foreland Estate in Broadstairs.
In this way, Ian provides a complete service, coupling his skills as a designer with those of high grade project management.
We will have no hesitation in appointing Ian for any future developments we decide undertake, and would encourage others to consider Ian Minter Architects when making an architectural appointment.
Reema & Gopi Kolapauli Broadstairs
Planning approval was obtained on the first submission with no amendments required and comments from the planning officer were complimentary.
Working with Ian was a real pleasure. We wanted a ‘seamless’ extension to our traditional Kent weather boarded home, Willow Cottage, … and that is exactly what we got.
House elevations and floor plans beautifully drawn (so we knew what we were getting) with comprehensive construction notes and drawings for the builder.
Professional, approachable and happy to listen and incorporate our ideas (when they didn’t contravene Building Regulations!).
Sue Stewart Willow Cottage