PWS Architecture & Design

04/09/2026

In for pre application advice.

We’ve been working away with a local residential client introduced to us by a friend of the company on a barn conversion and is now in for pre app before (hopefully) a full application upon a positive response.

The barn sits on a family owned farm and currently houses a number of old machinery and tools that are rarely used so provided an opportunity to be reused as a bespoke home tailored to the client.

The conversion works will be sensitive to the original threshing barn whilst bringing it up to modern standards for living with insulated walls, air tightness, solar, UFH and ASHP.
The finished home will comprise of a new porch and separated boot room / utility with plant room and WC. A large open plan dining space with double height living area making the most of some of the historic feature openings and impressive height of the barn as well as a large kitchen. Upstairs there is a gantry space to the double height living area as well as a guest bedroom, shower room and master suite with walk in wardrobe and en suite over the current brick extension which is to be reclad.

The master suite has a balcony space overlooking the landscaped gardens, farm and views through the valley.

PWS Architecture & Design Ltd S O F I A P O N T O N Theo Wicks Jamie Ross | ARB | RIBA

28/08/2026

Concepts are out for 598.

Always a nervous time in the office sending out the concepts to clients for review. Despite our confidence in our abilities and track record of delivering we’re always anxious when we send them out.

The project is for a long term residential property which has been owned by the client for a number of years. Having done some basic works previously to secure the property and reposition the kitchen the time had come to address some of the other issues that had arisen over time and finally create the layout that works for their needs.

The property benefits from stunning views over the Town Moor and so it only made sense to ensure visual connection on as many levels as is possible with a rear balcony providing shade to living room and kitchen, a platform level to an upstairs living space and master suite as well as a rooftop terrace where a current dormer sits.


Theo Wicks Jamie Ross | ARB | RIBA S O F I A P O N T O N PWS Architecture & Design Ltd

21/08/2026

Every now and again an enquiry comes through from a property you’re aware of and that you think “I’d love to know more about that” this is one of those. A former chapel that had been previously converted into two residential dwellings.

The brief to reimagine a house that was previously (presumably) formed for financial benefit of the developer with; an unimaginative layout, minimal light ingress, awkward dog leg walls, disjointed stairs / flow, columns in rooms and which semi blocked the double height windows. The brief from our client was driven more by the desire for a home that honoured the building and their lifestyle as well as restore and repair some of the original features and fabric.

Initial discussions were had that involved potential extensions to the property to house the schedule of accommodation but we were able to move away from this with minimal intervention and clever use of split levels to reinstate the full height of the windows and maximise light reducing build cost saving the budget for more important things.

The overarching idea separates leisure (for the occupants and guests) from living spaces forming a bar, gym, cinema room, outdoor cooking area, wellness centre and utilities at the ground floor with separating screening to allow an open plan maisonette at first floor and loft space for living and working. On a non original rear extension a roof terrace is proposed overlooking the nature at the rear and affording additional outdoor amenity space.

In addition retrofit insulation, UFH, ASHP and solar is proposed to reduce running costs, reduce carbon footprint and increase comfort of the client.

PWS Architecture & Design Ltd Jamie Ross | ARB | RIBA S O F I A P O N T O N Theo Wicks

14/08/2026

We’ve seen a lot of architects talking about fees following on from Emily Scullion Architect example so this is our “I am Spartacus” moment.

What’s interested us the most has been the different scopes and differing approaches from everyone. This, we think, is a really important key point particularly for clients to see how each firm might operate and get from A to Z and if that works for them.

Each project is unique and get prices differently and may even get a different approach to the design process. But here we’ve picked a project similar in scale to others we’ve seen people post about to try tie in as best we can.

If nothing else I hope younger architects see this and maybe take some time to consider their scope and fees, I know when I started I was doing larger projects for significantly less out of fear of rejection. But to know what you’re up against you can maybe demand the price you’re worth if you’re in that situation.


PWS Architecture & Design Ltd Theo Wicks Jamie Ross | ARB | RIBA S O F I A P O N T O N

07/08/2026

The cat is out of the bag, PWS has been working closely with
Northumberland County Council and a private developer team to get to pre app with a scheme for new padel courts and improvements to the local community and football club.

The scheme comprises of the creation of new building with 12 indoor padel courts, new reception, café, gym, fitness studio and changing facilities.

Further to this it is proposed that there will be a series of upgrades to the existing football facilities next door.
The current 11v11 pitch is to be upgraded, enlarged and provided with a new spectator stand. The existing 5v5 MUGA will be be enlarged to a 7x7. The current Junior grass pitch will be relocated.

All of this will be serviced by a new parking area for both the padel courts together with overflow parking for the football club to relieve congestion and parking issues for the local community. Further to this there will be improvements to fencing and security around the site in its entirety.


PWS Architecture & Design Ltd Jamie Whitfield | ARB | RIBA Theo Wicks S O F I A P O N T O N

05/08/2026

OUT TO TENDER

We’re looking for contractors to tender for this 4 bed new build in Seaham. Any interested contractors should get in touch via email to [email protected] or call 01207 260 433 and ask for Jamie or Phil by COP 12th August 2026.

The project comprises of the removal of former farm buildings (with stone to be reused within the schemes hard landscaping and garden walling) and construction of a new build home with air spruce heating, underfloor heating, solar array with battery storage.

The house is designed to meet with accessibility for the client including an internal lift to ensure the property works for their specific needs.

Jamie Whitfield | ARB | RIBA PWS Architecture & Design Ltd Theo Wicks S O F I A P O N T O N

31/07/2026

A work in progress update on our extension in Durham.
Strip outs done, works to garage done, steel frame done, timber frame done and insulation commencing.

Typically our process to understand a brief involves a good deal of back and forth with the client over; email, phone and even text/whatsapp if needed but one thing that’s always critical is our site visit before engaging.

In certain instances, during the consultation, the building itself pitches its 2 cents into the brief; in this case the existing extensions to the property were on some pretty shallow and slim foundations which would have required substantial underpinning.

As such a more playful solution was found to have the first floor overhang the ground floor slightly to gain the space required to meet the clients brief and not disturb the existing structures too much saving; cost, complication and time.


PWS Architecture & Design Ltd Theo Wicks Jamie Whitfield | ARB | RIBA S O F I A P O N T O N RAM Construction Group

29/07/2026

👀

🏗️ SOUTH BLYTH PLANNING APPLICATION

📍 Location: Blyth Town Football Club, Gateway Park, Sandringham Drive, Blyth, NE24 3PS

What’s Proposed?

A pre-application consultation has been submitted for a significant redevelopment of Blyth Town Football Club, including:

• Construction of 12 indoor padel courts.
• New reception, café, gym, fitness studio and changing facilities within a single building.
• Upgrades to the existing football pitches.
• Adult 11v11 pitch to be upgraded to a 4G artificial surface, enlarged and provided with a new spectator stand.
• Existing 5v5 MUGA to be enlarged into a 7v7 3G pitch.
• Junior 9v9 grass pitch to be relocated.
• New parking area serving the padel courts together with overflow parking.
• Improvements to fencing and security around the site.

Consultation

This is currently a Pre-Application Consultation, meaning no formal planning application has yet been submitted. It allows consultees to comment on the proposals before a full planning application is lodged.

24/07/2026

Approaching the finish line with project 417.

Always bitter sweet to know the end is close, whilst it’s great to see such a transformation of a property and see it being enjoyed by the client it is always sad that a relationship which has been built over 29 months is also coming to a close.

What started as a; poorly insulated, pebble dashed dormer bungalow with an awkward disjointed layout, conservatory and oil fired boiler has become a 4 bed property overlooking the views from all angles, maximising living space, creating two bedroom suites within the roof and future proofing the property.

The scheme also introduced retrofit insulation and air tightness as well as an air source heat pump, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, under floor heating and solar panels with cells to drastically reduce its carbon footprint and improve comfort in what is a very exposed site in the greenbelt.

Early in the scheme it was obvious that access would be a major issue and so we spent a lot of time consulting with our engineers to create an appropriate solution to minimise weight implication whilst reducing waste from site which resulted in a timber frame solution for the first floor over the existing masonry.

As always a big thanks to all involved in bringing the scheme together DCS-NE Ltd Warm-Flo | Underfloor Heating North East S O F I A P O N T O N Jamie Whitfield | ARB | RIBA Theo Wicks PWS Architecture & Design Ltd but the biggest thank you to our amazing client for entrusting us with this scheme and their home. Thank you for trusting the process and holding steady even during everything buildings, councils and Mother Nature can throw at a project.

More to come from this in the coming months as the dust settles, the landscaping comes together and the decoration finishes.

19/06/2026

This scheme a little close to home to PWS; in the conservation area of Medomsley Village, County Durham.

The scheme reimagines what was two semi detached houses and forms one large 5 bed home.

The reformat at ground floor introduces open plan living with separated snug as well as porch area, separated utility and WC replacing what was a labyrinth of small dark spaces leftover by the merging of the two former properties.

At first floor three bedrooms become four proportioned bedrooms and the loft is converted to form a master suite.

The former coffin makers workshop (yes really) at the end of the garden is proposed to be transformed into a garden room or even home office.

The property with pre app approval is currently for sale via Harrington Brown