A commercial building is more than a place of work. To owner occupiers it is, of course, a financial asset, but what is less generally recognised is that it is a brand extension of your business or organisation. Think for example of the Prudential building in Holborn, solid Victorian Gothic in all its magnificence. […]
Read full articleDo you remember Through the Keyhole, the TV game show? In it David Frost/Loyd Grossman hosted a guided tour of a celebritys house, after which a panel of other celebrities were invited to guess whose home it was. I just mention it to illustrate the point that a home reflects the personality of its owner. […]
Read full articleCaves may have been the Stone Age equivalent of affordable housing they were, after all, ready-made but man is not by nature a cave dweller. His preferred habitat is more like the Garden of Eden light, airy, green and spacious. During the summer months I live almost exclusively in my conservatory or the patio that […]
Read full articleWhen it comes to architecture, are you a modernist or a traditionalist? Do you side with Norman Foster, creator of London’s ‘Gherkin’, the headquarters of the Swiss Re insurance company, or Prince Charles, the squire of Poundbury, the classically styled model town in Dorset? The latest battle in the war between modernists and traditionalists is […]
Read full articleEvery profession has its jargon, a language of its own that allows its practitioners to talk shop, often to the exclusion and annoyance of lay persons. On the other hand, without a few technical terms business of any kind would be impossible to conduct. To illustrate, do you know that Gracie Fields song that goes […]
Read full articleAt SKK we are firm believers that craftsmanship, like charity, begins at home, and as an architectural and design practice we wanted our offices to be a show case of what we can do for our clients. An important aspect of our work is the conversion or repurposing of existing premises, especially those of architectural […]
Read full articleIts been said that someone who never made a mistake never made anything. And that goes as much for designers even famous ones as it does for anyone else. If you learn from your mistakes failure can be a foundation for success. Of course its better, when you can, to learn from the mistakes of […]
Read full articlePicasso famously said that great artists steal, and as architectural designers we at SKK saw plenty of great ideas to steal at the No.8 Caf on the Isle of Wight, and to get you inspired about your own project, wed like to share them with you. The caf owner, Jane Holman, ran the Farm […]
Read full articleDo you say yes or no to department demands during the refit or reconstruction of a new office? As architectural designers we understand the challenges facing FMs and have worked with many to find the right balance of needs versus wants before, during and after a project (when an FMs work really begins!). Key to […]
Read full articleFrom small scale renovations to major construction projects, sustainability has become a significant factor in design, specifying, refurbishment and construction methods. Thankfully, there are many green options on the market when deciding upon appropriate products and materials, and as architectural designers we at SKK are well placed to advise you on the best options for […]
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