We support you to build mindfully, but why not give back before you even start your project?

Take Root Consultation

Free 1 hour face to face consultation, with charity donation.

Stage -1

Every month we offer a limited number of free face to face consultations, focusing on a mindful approach to building.

Our design process follows the RIBA Plan of Work (read more about it here).

This usually starts at Stage 1 where we gather what we need about your project and brief.

Our new Stage -1 Take Root Consultation:

Gives back by planting trees.

Provides a pause to think carefully about what you want to achieve, in order to build sustainably.

How does it work?

We waive our initial consultation fee (usually £130), and all we ask is that you make a minimum £85 donation to local Bath charity More Trees for BANES.

£85 = 17 trees

£85 supports More Trees to plant 17 trees as part of their urban planting programme, with all trees from seed collected locally and grown in community tree nurseries benefiting a wide range of people who get involved in the process.

Afterwards we can provide a quotation to complete your project, but there is no obligation to work with us after the initial consultation.

What projects are eligible?

To be eligible your project must be a new build, extension or renovation project:

  • Within 20 miles of our postcode.

    Covering Bath, Bristol, Chippenham, Warminster, Frome, Wells, Malmesbury, Tetbury, Devizes, Midsomer Norton, Trowbridge, Shepton Mallet.

  • On your current or future home, or a house/plot you are viewing for purchase.

  • Planning to invest £150,000 or more.

  • If you decide to go ahead you will be ready to start design within the next 12 months.

  • Be open to sustainable thinking and/or construction methods.

What could we discuss?

You might have an idea for a project that you would like to talk through in an informal way before taking it further. Or you might want ideas from us.

We’re happy to talk about all building projects which fall under our eligibilty criteria.

  • Sustainable extensions

    Eco loft conversions

    Renovation projects

    Low energy retrofit

    Healthy new build

    Passive House

  • We can discuss your aims and consider the current layout of your home, to assess the feasibility of building less.

    • Do you even need to build at all? If you do, what size does the build need to be?

    • Do you have a space problem or a storage problem?

    • Is the layout of your home inefficient and could it be improved to gain you space?

  • We can talk about how what you do build is thoughtfully designed so it works for you, and built well so it lasts.

    • Could you use negative carbon, or bio-based materials in your build?

    • Can we limit the structural work involved to reduce steel and concrete, and keep costs down?

    • Are there any opportunities for retrofit to your existing house?

Book now

1.

Book your consultation straight into our calendar.

You will recieve an email to confirm your booking, and a link to our project questionnaire to complete before your consultation.

2.

Make your donation of a minimum of £85 to More Trees for BANES (via Local Giving).

3.

If you would prefer not to leave your name next to your donation, please send confirmation (screenshot or forward a confirmation email) to jenny@silvanarchitects.com.

If you do not make a donation our standard fee will be applicable, and we will send an invoice for £130 after the consultation. This fee is refundable against further design work, and will be deducted from the subsequent invoice if you wish to continue.

We’ll help guide you through the woods.

Discover more about our values.