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/build it magazine

    /Owls Nest

    STUDIO/gather is thrilled to announce that one of our completed projects has been featured in Build It magazine! The Owls Nest, located on the stunning North Coast of Cornwall, has garnered attention for its remarkable design.

    This beautiful, low-impact, low-energy home was expertly crafted by owner and builder Jan of Burroughs Construction, in collaboration with Kate Sutherland. The home showcases Jan's signature beach house style, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape. For the full article and to explore other inspiring projects, be sure to grab a copy of Build It magazine or you can read about the project here.



    /2024 summer newsletter

      /team_a season of change

      As the temperature finally rises, we find ourselves amidst a season of wonderful change at the studio here in the grounds of Potager. This Summer promises is shaping up to be an exciting one, as we near completion on projects and break ground on new ones. In this edition, we will meet our new team member, take a look at our near finished highly sustainable project in Falmouth and join us as we explore the world of thatching! We also have some news on an up coming event we are putting on and some time in the 'lime light' for one of our team.

      We welcomed Ian to the studio at the beginning of May and with a bounty of knowledge in sustainable architecture and Passivhaus, he has fitted in seamlessly, getting stuck into various projects in the Helford Passage and his current home County of Devon.

      Ian joins us with a back ground in delivering bespoke homes from PassivHaus new builds to community housing projects. He has worked with some of the South West's finest such as SE3 Design and GYA. Having been involed on large multi-scale schemes, historical restorations and bespoke contemporary style residential homes both as project lead and also on the tools putting together the detailed packages. He has also gained further commercial experience by working in Australia for a few years but the draw of the West Country was all too strong and he now resides in Exeter and travels to Cornwall a couple of times a week to see the team and scout for his perfect location to build his very own Passivehaus.




      /projects_nearing completion

      The end is in sight for one of our long-awaited, highly sustainable projects, 'White Wings,' in Falmouth. With the scaffolding coming down as the seasons changed, we have been thrilled to receive 100% positive feedback so far. As the contractor, Berryman Construction, apply the final touches to the interiors and watch Z P Landscapes work their magic on the surrounding grounds, our excitement is building to share more photos with you soon. Stay tuned as we unveil this remarkable project that stands as a testament to sustainable design, innovation, creative thinking and being built by true craftsmen.



      /scope_cornwall climate care

      We recently were approached to take part in filming for Cornwall Climate Care at our deep retrofit in Crantock. "Cornwall’s Climate Stories is a series of documentaries highlighting the impacts of climate change already being felt across Cornwall, as well as the fantastic local businesses, researchers and community groups working hard to prepare us for the challenges coming our way." - CCC .


      Julian was interviewed on the importance to update and reuse our existing housing stock and what it meant to be part of a team of client, architect and contractor exploring the use of alternative materials.


      Did you know that retrofit is not only about creating a happy and warm home, but also about locking in the carbon created in its original construction?







      /sustain_resilience roll call

      Mark your calendars for October 8th, as we ignite a conversation on resilience and carbon reduction at our upcoming 'Resilience Roll Call' in collaboration with RIBA South West. Set against the backdrop of the stunning Mount Pleasant Eco Park, join us for an immersive experience aimed at exploring the transformative power of reuse and circular economy thinking in architecture.

      The event promises a dynamic lineup of speakers who will illuminate the path toward carbon reduction through innovative design practices.

      Engage with fellow industry professionals, exchange ideas, and discover practical strategies for integrating circular economy principles into your projects whilst gaining insights into how the principles of circularity can shape the future of sustainable architecture. This will not be for those wanting to just sit in their seats. Rolling ones sleeves up will be part of what’s on offer - it should be fun, it should brings something different and it should ultimately allow individuals to leave with things they can put in place straight away.

      Save the date: October 8th - 9:30-4:30 - Mount Pleasant Eco Park.


      /create_thatching a way forward

      Embarking on a mission to redefine sustainable living and put focus on the use of alternative and natural materials, along with focsuing on land based employment, the studio is collaborating with Ambos, a community land trust, to design and implementation a 100% 'creatively sustainable' housing scheme nestled on the outskirts of Falmouth.

      The proposal is a commitment to creating a community through thoughtful design, innovative materials, and energy-efficient solutions. We're not just building homes; we're nurturing a way of life that's both eco-conscious and accessible to all. Every aspect of the project reflects our dedication to minimizing environmental impact while maximising quality of life. We hope to see a transformation of this once-vacant land into a vibrant hub of sustainable living.

      As part of our exploration into land-based commerce and the use of alternative natural materials, we embarked on a day of learning how to thatch with the wonderful Toby at South West Thatching. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into traditional building techniques and the sustainable use of natural resources.






      /close_time in the saddle, time to reflect

      ‘Firstly, I have to say a huge thank you to my family, the STUDIO/gather team and all our clients and consultants for all the support, not just over the last few weeks but also in the months leading up to what ended up being quite a momentous point in my calendar. As I sure many of you will know, I took on my first ultra cycle race, raising money for Cancer Research while pedalling nearly 700km cross country from Lands End to Kent in 4 days. Spending the best part of 16 hours in the saddle a day, getting on the bike before the sun came up and getting off after it went down gave me plenty of time to reflect on life and the way we go about it. Being present, pushing beyond the comfort zone, accepting support, keeping things simple, cherishing the down times, enjoying the journey, all become so apparent.


      The ride has certainly made me look at how I put myself forward both in life but also very much in work. Learning that you can move so much further when you put your mind to it, rather than sitting and over thinking.. It has also, perhaps unfortunately, reassured me that the long hard grind does pay you back with one hella buzz when it is all said and done. As such, do expect more lyrca clad meetings and more long stints on the bike experiencing times of great reflection – who knows what will come to mind on the next one.'

      Julian J Mills.

      Founding Director


      /2023 summer newsletter

        /team_a season of change

        With the warmer weather finally making an appearance we've been enjoying seeing the gardens around us spring to life and the sound of the bees busily enjoying the flowers in bloom. It's not only the gardens around us that are blossoming, we as a team are also growing and we have welcomed another new member to the STUDIO/gather team.

        We welcome Emma from the sunny climes of Scotland. She joins us with a passion for sustainable architecture and is already getting stuck into one of our more complex near PassivHaus retrofit projects based on the South Coast.



        /projects_in the spotlight

        Our 'spotlight' project this month has been a labour of love for all involved and works have commenced on site at 'White Wings'. A technically challenging and forward-thinking project has only come to fruition from the passion of our clients and the unwavering technical optimism of both Pete and Dan who are leading this near-passive house project in Falmouth. You can read more about the project here.


        This complex build of hidden gutters, a floating staircase and disappearing corner glazing complete with a timber frame and plenty of steico products. We can't wait to see Ollie and his team at Berryman Construction bring this project to life.


        /scope_IPCC

        We were both saddened and shocked at the article published by the IPCC. The IPCC "prepares comprehensive Assessment Reports about the state of scientific, technical and socio-economic knowledge on climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for reducing the rate at which climate change is taking place". We will be talking more in-depth about this soon as we, as a practice, create a strategy to ensure we are doing absolutely everything we can to be a part of the solution and not the problem. If you haven't read the IPCC report yourself you can find a link to it here. AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023


        /sustain_a deep retrofit story on the north coast - update

        Our project on the North Coast is nearing completion and this extension/renovation has recently undertaken an air tightness test and reached incredibly good results now the plaster is on the walls. With Dan's knowledge and attention to detail, he has been keeping the contractors on their toes with experimental material, Diathonite. Diathonite is a cork and lime mixed internal insulation which allows walls to breathe, the capillary motion of solid construction to not cause issues, improves thermal performance, creates an air tightness layer and is a full natural application.



        /create_a parish council reaction

        As a practice, we strive to design and build sustainable, future-proofed homes sometimes pushing the boundaries of 'normal' materials and processes. As we continue to learn and try to put this at the heart of every project we do, it's a delight when our schemes are met with such positivity and applause. Our most recent Parish Council meeting for a house in Praa Sands got a resounding thumbs up and we are excited to see this Scandi beach house progress.



        /close_3

        ‘As we hit the midway mark in the year we also hit 2 years of STUDIO/gather. From a humble garden studio to an inspiring and creative team of 6. With projects on site, some nearing completion and plenty of things in the pipeline we are looking forward to seeing what the future brings!

        STUDIO/gather was built on the foundations of a team with a shared optimism that the built environment can offer a transformative effect against the current climate and biodiversity global crisis.

        By us learning from a building's natural setting, we can enhance and protect it through architectural intervention.

        We are already seeing this manifesto play out in which properties and sites that we have worked on with the return of rich and diverse flora and fauna in their garden and into the lives of the owners. Buildings running on only renewable energy creating a happy and healthy place to live.

        This increased connection to our surroundings brings positive energy to us and our client's lives. This feeds back into allowing more time for play, for time with family and friends and to do more of what makes us feel at our best. We feel this can only be seen as what sustainability is - when the dividing forces are in equilibrium and everyone begins to benefit. Having these goals means to design individually with each house/home being unique to its setting and to our clients. We explore what this means together, collaborating on the design and journey and becoming a stronger team for it. This makes us happy architects, with engaged clients and a creative architectural output.

        Cheers to each and every one of you who have been with us on this journey since the start and those who have joined us along the way, we wouldn't be here without your continued support.'

        Julian J Mills.

        Founding Director


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