We are passionate about designing and delivering homes around the South West coast and countryside, and have a particular interest in responding to the complex constraints of the local environment, through thoughtful design and considered detailing.
At KŌST architects, our buildings are intentionally contemporary with clarity in detail and form through the careful use of tone, texture and light. We work within sensitive areas bringing together multiple disciplines and craftsman to create outstanding buildings that aim to match the quality of their surroundings.
Conservation with respect to both historical fabric as well as ecology and the environment form important core threads to our work. We want our work to last and be enjoyed by the generations that follow.
This is achieved by our buildings connecting people to the external environment, both physically through direct experience, but also through the unseen performance in the fabric and building technologies. Minimising energy consumption in our buildings may not appear to be celebrated externally in our projects but is considered from the start and forms a fundamental core to our approach.
Who are we
Chris and Lewis share a passion for considered, well crafted design and decided to team up to form KOST in the spring of 2022. Inspired by contemporary residential architecture of Australia and the US, they felt that they could offer a fresh approach to design in North Devon where contemporary minimalism can sit side by side with the rustic rural vernacular in a landscape defined by tradition and craft.
Chris Evans
Chris is a fully qualified Architect with over 15 years’ experience within the industry and has worked for a number for award winning practices in both Bristol and the Cotswolds. He shares the passion for high quality, well crafted, contextually appropriate homes situated within the South West.
chris@kostarchitects.co.uk
Lewis Johnson
Lewis, after graduation went on to be awarded the Bristol Society of Architects Commendation and Deans Award for Academic Excellence. Since, Lewis has gained over 8 years experience in residential architecture having worked for a local firm where he met Chris, was later a design director at OCR Architecture and ahead of Kost, started LM Architecture Studio which established a strong reputation in North Devon for high-end residential architecture.
lewis@kostarchitects.co.uk
Our Process
Our processes are based around the RIBA plan of works which are summarised below.
Brief and Site – Listen and Look
Nurturing a successful project starts with listening and developing a conversation with the client to fully understand the requirements of the spaces that form a home. This conversation develops into forming a brief for the project that outlines the requirements and performance. Alongside this conversation, we will start to analyse and understand the constraints of both the site and brief. We will also talk about budget from the very outset as managing this from the start will mean that your money is put to use in the areas it will have most impact. We seek to deliver finished products instead of conceptualising unrealistic schemes which never make it to site.
Concept design
This is where the real fun begins, and we get to start developing the proposed design in both 2D and 3D. The design will be a direct response to the conversation had at stage one and will develop as the conversation continues. We enjoy sketching and making virtual 3D models to explore the design in the very early stages. Interior and exterior relationships will start to be explored with the aid of 3D models, samples and 2D drawings.
Planning
Once the client is happy with the concept design, we will review the budget. We understand this is very often one of the largest investments clients make, managing the budget from the start is fundamental to keeping the stress associated with building your own home to a minimum. Following the budget review, we will prepare the drawings and associated reports for the planning submission.
Construction detail
With planning granted its time to consider the building in more detail. The first requirement is to produce the drawings needed to gain building regulation approval, more detailed construction information then follows to aid the construction process. Getting into the tectonics of how the building goes together and specifying what can be touched and see is what we really enjoy! We feel that good detailing is fundamental to producing well considered and quality architecture. This stage is also the point at which we collaborate with multiple craftsmen and specialists to help gain the understanding to deliver a quality product.
Build
Monitoring and managing the build process is a large part of delivering a new home. We feel that having regular site meetings with the contractor to review progress and assess the quality of workmanship is a crucial to minimising the stress of the build process. Transparency and fairness is crucial, and regular client meetings keeps everyone in the loop with how the project is developing.
Handover
Once finished its important that the condition of the building is monitored through the 12 month defect liability period to make sure everything is performing to the correct standard. Buildings are getting more complex with new technologies so making sure the client understands how they operate is an important part of the handover process.
Journal
Keep up to date with our latest news
Class Q fall back new build
An existing and tired agricultural building had recently received planning permission under Class Q development rights. We were appointed to enhance the approved scheme through a new application to knock down and rebuild, whilst still be sympathetic to its context.
Barn conversion in the AONB
We recently received planning approval for a barn conversion in the grounds of an old manor house through the planning policy DM27. The design was supported by the local authority through considered negotiation and work begins on site in the new year.
Planning received on new build replacement dwelling
An aging 1970's two storey dwelling on an exceptional site overlooking the Taw and Torridge estuary did not live up to its full potential. Planning has been granted for its demolition and replacement with a stunning open plan new build, upside down, replacement dwelling.