Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin & Maria Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects ) - Client Feedback – testimonial 10

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin and Maria Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects  ( abp Architects - Bromley architects )- Client Feedback

As part of the ISO 9001 Quality Assurance systems in place at abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ), we are required to receive client feedback for the services we provide.  Listed below is the positive response, given by a client from Bickley, Kent.

Initial contact            – excellent

Survey                       – excellent

Initial design             – very good

Detailed design        – excellent

On site operations   – excellent

Would you use this company again ? – Yes

  

The project was to design a two storey side / rear bedroom and lounge extension and a single storey front / side extension to incorporate a new entrance lobby and toilet / shower cloakroom, carport, enlarged kitchen with utility room.  The major internal alterations included the installation of a new “oak” staircase, new ensuite bathrooms and walk in a dressing room.

During the design process, Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ), suggested that there was an opportunity to improve the existing 1970’s “boxy” looking brick building, by the incorporation of an interesting octagonal tower feature that overlooks the rear garden.

Tower extension - Bickley, Kent
designed by Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin
of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ), Bromley architects

abp Architects ( Bromley architects ) - Practice Profile

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin  is the principal of  abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ), Bromley architects.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin works with his wife Maria Humphrey-Gaskin.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin qualified as an architect in 1987.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has a vast experience in the design and construction on various building types.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has worked for notable practices such as RHWL, The Property Services Agency and WS Atkins.

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has run his own architectural business since 1991, and has worked in the educational, commercial and residential sectors.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has experience in theatre projects. ecological and green design projects.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin  is also an experienced party wall surveyor and is a member of  the Pyramus and Thisbe Club. 

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin’s other interests and activities include web design, making home movies and is a member of the internet based chess team “The Black Stallion International Chess Team”.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin was also a Croydon school governor for over 12 years and is still involved with independent school appeal panels for the London Borough of Croydon.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has also been an active member of the architectural advisory design panel (TAP), for the London Borough of Bromley planning department for a number of years. Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has recently been elected as chairperson of the RIBA Croydon, Bromley and Sutton branch. 

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin works closely with his wife Maria Humphrey-Gaskin at abp Chartered Architects, as a well organised husband and wife team.  Maria Humphrey-Gaskin is also architecturally trained and apart from taking part in the running of the practice as the Practice Manager, she also deals with the measured survey work, and initial design stages of various projects.   Maria Humphrey-Gaskin (nee Stylianou) also speaks fluent Greek. 

ABP Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ) provides a professional service, from inception to completion.  ABP Chartered Architects undertake the designs, planning and building regulation applications, and contract administration for all types of jobs from small domestic works to larger commercial projects.  ABP Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ) are quality assured to ISO 9001.

Also see Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects )  website: http://www.abpriba.co.uk/

Also see Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Party Wall Surveyors  ( abp Architects ) website: http://partywallsurveyors.uk.com/

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin & Maria Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects ) - testimonial - 07

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin and Maria Humphrey-Gaskin, of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects ) have been recommended for their architectural services:

Extension and alterations - Sidcup Kent
Designed by Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin
of abp chartered architects ( abp Architects ), Bromley Architects

"...Bernard

Firstly can I say how impressed I am with the service that you have provided me with to date.  I feel very comfortable that you understand the brief and the level of detail on your documents etc has been superb..."   

A client from Sidcup, Kent

Also see many other comments on abp Chartered Architects website:.... www.abpriba.co.uk/Testimonials.html  

See other comments on Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin's LinkedIn page:....

http://uk.linkedin.com/in/bernardhumphreygaskin

abp Architects ( Bromley architects ) - Practice Profile

Swimming pool house - Bickley, Kent
designed by Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin
of abp chartered architects ( abp Architects ), Bromley architects

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin  is the principal of  abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects ). Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin works with his wife Maria Humphrey-Gaskin.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin qualified as an architect in 1987.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has a vast experience in the design and construction on various building types and has worked for notable practices such as RHWL, The Property Services Agency and WS Atkins.

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has run his own architectural business since 1991, and has worked in the educational, commercial and residential sectors.  He also has experience in theatre projects. ecological and green design projects.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin  is also an experienced party wall surveyor and is a member of  the Pyramus & Thisbe Club.

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin’s other interests and activities include web design, making home movies and is a member of the internet based chess team “The Black Stallion International Chess Team”.  He was also a Croydon school governor for over 12 years and is still involved with independent school appeal panels for the London Borough of Croydon.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has also been an active member of the architectural advisory design panel (TAP), for the London Borough of Bromley planning department for a number of years. Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has recently been elected as chairperson of the RIBA Croydon, Bromley & Sutton branch.

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin works closely with his wife Maria Humphrey-Gaskin at abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ) as a well organised husband and wife team. Maria Humphrey-Gaskin is also architecturally trained and apart from taking part in the running of the practice as the Practice Manager, she also deals with the measured survey work, and initial design stages of various projects.   Maria Humphrey-Gaskin (nee Stylianou) also speaks fluent Greek.

ABP Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ) provides a professional service, from inception to completion.  ABP Chartered Architects undertake the designs, planning and building regulation applications, and contract administration for all types of jobs from small domestic works to larger commercial projects.  ABP Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ) are quality assured to ISO 9001.

  

Also see Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects architectural website:….http://www.abpriba.co.uk/

Also see Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects party wall surveyor website:….http://partywallsurveyors.uk.com/

Painting by Marcus Humphrey-Gaskin

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects ) is an experienced architect & party wall surveyor  - Providing inspired designs in all building types - Getting it built !!

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin & Maria Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects ) - testimonial - 02

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin and Maria Humphrey-Gaskin, of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects )  have been recommended for their architectural services:

Extensions and refurbishment - Chislehurst, Bromley
designed by Maria  and Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin of
 abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ), Bromley Architects

"...Following the conclusion of the project M and I would like to thank you and the team at ABP for your work during the last 3 years.  The project has been very well managed throughout by both you and B, given the scale of the build it has been remarkably stress free for us both.

We are very pleased with the results and would not hesitate to recommend you to other potential clients should you require a reference in the future.."       A client from Chislehurst, Bromley, Kent

Also see this comment and many others on abp Chartered Architects website.... www.abpriba.co.uk/Testimonials.html

abp Architects ( Bromley architects ) - Practice Profile 

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin  is the principal of  abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects ) . Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin works with his wife Maria Humphrey-Gaskin. Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin qualified as an architect in 1987, and has a vast experience in the design and construction on various building types and has worked for notable practices such as RHWL, The Property Services Agency and WS Atkins. Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has run his own architectural business since 1991, and has worked in the educational, commercial and residential sectors.  He also has experience in theatre projects. ecological and green design projects.   

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin  is also an experienced party wall surveyor and is a member  of  the Pyramus and Thisbe Club. Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin’s other interests and activities include web design, making home movies and is a member of the internet based chess team “The Black Stallion International Chess Team”.  He was also a Croydon school governor for over 12 years and is still involved with independent school appeal panels for the London Borough of Croydon.  Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has also been an active member of the architectural advisory design panel (TAP), for the London Borough of Bromley planning department for a number of years. Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin has recently been elected as chairperson of the RIBA Croydon, Bromley and Sutton branch. 

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin works closely with his wife Maria Humphrey-Gaskin at abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects - Bromley architects ) as a well organised husband and wife team. Maria Humphrey-Gaskin is also architecturally trained and apart from taking part in the running of the practice as the Practice Manager, she also deals with the measured survey work, and initial design stages of various projects.   Maria Humphrey-Gaskin (nee Stylianou) also speaks fluent Greek.

Bernard Humphrey-Gaskin of abp Chartered Architects ( abp Architects ) is an experienced architect & party wall surveyor  - Providing inspired designs in all building types - Getting it built !!

Party Wall Matters – interesting issue – No.3

I recently bumped into an old acquaintance (adjoining owner) that had issues with building works next door to him. My old acquaintance related the following story to me:

1. He was notified of the neighbouring excavation and foundation works, under section 6 of the Party Wall etc Act 1996 (“the Act”). He appointed his own surveyor (adjoining owners’ surveyor), whilst his neighbour retained his own surveyor (building owners’ surveyor).

2. Under the requirements of the “Act”, both surveyors had selected a “Third Surveyor”, who in this instance was a very experienced and notable fellow of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club.

3. The works proceeded under an Award drafted by the two surveyors (adjoining and building owners).

4. However, there was damage to the adjoining owners’ property, as a direct result of the foundation works.

5. The building owners’ surveyor decided that he did not want to be involved in determining the extent of the damage, or even agree a financial settlement. The adjoining owners’ own surveyor stated that he had never been in this situation before, and therefore did not know how to deal with the issues.

My old acquaintance was now in a quandary, and did not know what to do.

It was very simple to deal with, but did require a certain amount of knowledge of the “Act”, which with all due respect these two surveyors obviously lacked.

My first suggestion to him was to get his (adjoining owners) surveyor to deal with the damage under a new Award, and also get his surveyor to appoint a structural engineer to monitor the damage over a period of time. All the (reasonable) costs and fees can been written in the new Award, that can be issued onto the Building Owner, exparte if necessary if the Building Owners own surveyor does not want to deal with the matter.

My second suggestion to him was that if his own (adjoining owners) surveyor found it difficult to deal with, for whatever reason, he can appoint the Third surveyor himself directly, in order to determine the damage. This procedure under the “Act” is rarely used, possibly because it requires the respective owners (building & adjoining) to have a certain understanding of the “Act”

I wished him well with his endeavours, and maybe when he bumps into me again in the future he will tell me of the outcome.

Disclaimer: It is important to remind everyone that the comments I make in this blog are my opinion, and should not be used as a basis of any legal definition or enactment, and the reader is advised to take their own legal advice for matters relating to their own circumstances.

Party Wall Matters – Section 6(3) – No.2

I recently attended a Pyramus & Thisbe Club lunch, at my branch. A discussion was started about Section 6 (3) of the Party Wall etc Act 1996.

It appears that the club was divided under the opinion that the Building Owner, the person(s) undertaking the works has a legal right to underpin the neighbours’ property in order to facilitate their building works. It appears that some eminent surveyors are in agreement with this.

However, I disagree with this opinion. If you actually read the clause of the Act that this refers to, it appears very clear, that both conditions of “may”, and “and if required by the adjoining owner”, must be happening for any such action to take place. So unless the adjoining owner is in agreement with the underpinning, no such works can take place, or should take place. Hence, it is not even upto the party wall surveyors to take such determinations, and certainly not without discussing it with their respective owners, and possibly involving a structural engineer or two to make sure that it is necessary. However, the final say on the possibility of it happening remains, as it should in my opinion, with the adjoining owner, under the “and if required” statement under the Act.

I have provided the extract from the Act so all can see:

“ Section 6 (3) The building owner may, and if required by the adjoining owner shall, at his own expense underpin or otherwise strengthen or safeguard the foundations of the building or structure of the adjoining owner so far as may be necessary.” Crown Copyright

I am glad I got this off my chest. However, I feel it is important to remind everyone that the comments I make in this blog are my opinion, and should not be used as a basis of any legal definition or enactment, and the reader is advised to take their own legal advice for matters relating to their own circumstances.