Useful & Beautiful architecture from West Wales & Gloucestershire
07976 965 560
andrew@blackcatarchitects.co.uk
About
I am an award winning architect with over 15 years wide ranging experience. I've created everything from schools and hotels to extensions, barn conversions and yoga studios and was project architect for Caring Wood which won the RIBA Grand Designs house of the year 2017
My passion is helping people get what they want – useful, graceful liveable spaces that reflect the character and lives of those who dwell in them. I work collaboratively and respectfully with my clients and their contractors to ensure an enjoyable, creative stress free design and build process.
I am a fully qualified architect & RIBA Chartered Practice registered by the ARB
What I do...
Concept, design & space planning
Everything you need to get your project started.
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Reviewing your site and buildings
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Understanding your needs
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Agreeing the vision
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Layouts and strategic planning
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How much will it cost?
Planning applications
Developing your project towards submission of a full planning application
Getting your project built
Ensuring your builder has all the technical details to deliver your original vision.
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Checking policies and regulations
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Liaising with the Local Authority
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Colours, materials and construction
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Responsibility for all paperwork
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Submitting your application
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Construction drawings
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Coordinating structure, plumbing & electrics
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Compliance with regulations
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Managing costs
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Overseeing your project throughout
Current work & blog
Main services
Featured projects
Alaway: Manorbier Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Alaway is a highly sustainable new build home on a fantastic south facing site on the outskirts of Manorbier village in the National Park & AONB. Replacing an existing bungalow the new house has been designed around the wonderful views past the famous St James church to the bay beyond.
The client wanted a modern, sustainable and economical building in keeping with the simple cottage forms around the village and is protected from the coastal wind by traditional hung slate gables. Next to the house we are perching a timber frame loft studio for the clients illustration work on top of the existing garage. Completion in early 2026.
Rose Gardens: St Dogmaels Pemborkeshire
New build home on a disused garden site in the beautiful conservation area of St Dogmaels in Pembrokeshire.
The house is simple and efficient in plan but beautifully crafted internally to provide a set of connected, open plan spaces with amazing views from the first floor living areas across the town and estuary.
The house is built form a passive certified modular straw bale panel system rendered internally with natural lime with low energy building service discreetly concealed within the construction. The extensively planted market garden conceals a rainwater harvesting and sustainable drainage system creating a truly sustainable and low impact garden​. Completion in early 2026
Meadowspace: Ciliau Aeron
Peeking out from a canopy of silver birches Meadowspace is a peaceful family space for yoga, meditation and art and a professional studio for massage and complementary therapies.
Reclaimed and recycled materials were used wherever possible. The walls are built from straw bales and rendered internally with mud dug from the field below to fit the client's brief of 'a soul space'. Light, airy, welcoming.
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Photographs: James Morris
Caring Wood (Rural Office for Architecture) Winner: RIBA Grand Designs house of the year 2017
A new zero-carbon estate house set in 83 acres of landscaped garden and farmland near Maidstone. A country home of outstanding quality it is modern & sculptural in design yet remains infused with a spirit of regional identity.
The clients requested a a country home of outstanding quality, where three generations of the same family could live together.
During the 5 years that I worked on the house as project architect I managed a team of architects, designers, contractors and suppliers to coordinate the highly specialised technical design of the building and oversee its construction on site.
Aeron Park: Llangeitho (Rural Office for Architecture 2017)
Photographs: Whole picture
Extension of a traditional Welsh cottage and new plant room and store for the smallholding. The layout of the new buildings create a welcoming arrival point and private courtyard providing a cohesiveness and flow to a disparate collection of outbuildings.
The interior of the house was completely remodelled to express the traditional detailing of the cottage in a contemporary way that reflected the vision and energy of the forward thinking young family that live there.
I oversaw the technical design, detailing and construction of the project
Drawings
