Testimonials

We were really impressed with the way Brunskill listened to what we wanted and worked with that whilst also injecting creative ideas to help produce a really strong design. We are delighted with the outcome.

We decided we needed to reorganise the plan of our large house in the Conservation Area. We wanted to see what Brunskill could do for us. They came up with an idea that has transformed the way the house feels, rearranging space to enable us to plan for our future needs as well as current wishes.

They provided a comprehensive coordinating service, providing very detailed plans and specifications for the Builder. We felt this was worth the fee in keeping things organised and to a very high standard in keeping with the Victorian property. All the building regulations aspects had been checked beforehand. They also arranged the Building Contract and introduced the builder. So, even when one of our suppliers had problems, it went smoothly and everyone who see the house really likes it.

 

We would be very happy to recommend Brunskill Design Architects. Our project was not simple, we wanted to squeeze every inch of usable space out of what was originally a very small two bed semi. Add to that the inevitable budget constraints, we were very lucky to have these architects working with us. They thought out the project, provided us with realistic and honest advice.

As you would expect from a good architect Helen Brunskill has an eye for detail and drew various elegant design options, however she understood we also needed a practical family home. Helen was superb at navigating the issues of the Planning Authority, and despite the constraints of a Harpenden Conservation Zone, our plans were passed first time.

Admittedly we experienced some issues with our builder, but the contract Brunskill Design provided ensured the terms were clear and ultimately enabled us to work through the issues and come in on budget. Most importantly we are very happy with the finished result and absolutely love our home. Thanks Helen!

 

Thanks very much for all your hard work.

 

I count myself as very lucky to have found Helen Brunskill as my architect. The small extension I asked her to design for me, was potentially very controversial, since my cottage is in the middle of a Grade II listed terrace. I was very concerned, too, that it should be in keeping with the rest of the cottage, and its neighbours. But I was not well, and needed her to cover for me with the local Conservation Officer and planners, and support me in dealing with the builders. It proved to be a far from straightforward project, despite its modest size. In all technical aspects, Helen was clearly well on top of it all, and sorted issues out with great responsiveness and professionalism. She was a delight to work with.

The end result is a truly lovely new room which has added considerable value both internally and externally. Neighbours who work at a senior level in the property world, have commented on how much additional market value it will also have achieved.

 

Working with Brunskill Design was our first experience of hiring architects.  We needed advice including how best to create an entirely new living space, how to bring to life the remainder of an old Victorian property to how to select and manage a team of surveyors and builders.   Helen and her team provided support and guidance throughout an 18 month process.  They have created a beautiful modern living space that embraces the garden and is a wonderfully light place to be even on a gloomy day.

Though modern, it complements the traditional feel of the remainder of the house, and the two come together through careful attention to detail.  Brunskill Design also undertook the project management, liaising with the planning department, building control and the team of builders.  Weekly visits to the site by Brunskill Design ensured high quality standards were met throughout, and the risk of a project over-run was tightly managed.  We couldn’t be happier with the end result, which simply could not have been achieved without the contribution of Helen and her team.

 

I have just been to see a customer in St Albans to look at their front door with a view to changing the glass for something really special, and I was totally blown away by the new kitchen extension designed by architect Helen Brunskill. Above all it was the feeling of space that made my heart sing. The footprint was generous but it was the height and the volume of the new space created that was impressive. From the road the Victorian house looks nice enough, but when I  walked through the door into the hallway my eye was drawn to the light airy space that is the new kitchen and dining area. This experience made me feel envious, and inspired at the same time.
All I can say is…
I want one!

 

Many thanks for all your hard and excellent work. We very much appreciate everything you have done. Such a professional team.

 

We commissioned Brunskill Design to design an extension to our house on the recommendation of a friend. We were not disappointed.

Helen marshalled our woolly and incoherent thoughts and ideas into sensible plans and then with the utmost patience and understanding helped us through the iterative process of changes of mind, new ideas………and produced a design that both received planning permission and plaudits from the planners at the local authority (and, of course, ourselves!).

Oh and by the way the house is in: the Green Belt, an Area of Outstanding National Beauty and parts of the garden near the house are in a Conservation Area!

 

I have worked with Helen on several housing design projects at Brunskill Design and highly recommend her.

Helen is a talented architect who takes time to understand the client’s requirements, applies her passion for good design, and keeps an eye on the detail throughout construction to ensure the end product is everything (and more) than is hoped for.

 

Brunskill Design was recommended to us when we were planning an extension to our house in Shenley Road, Borehamwood.
We wanted a two-storey addition to the side of our house – to create more living space downstairs and a master bedroom suite upstairs. Although we knew what we wanted, Helen was able to give us a few alternative ideas and we were delighted with the plans that she drew for us.

Helen was friendly, easy to work with and ensured that we obtained planning permission without any difficulty.

Due to relocation, we were unable to make use of the plans ourselves. However, with Helen’s excellent drawings, and the planning permission, we were able to sell our house at a premium and finance our move to Dorset. The new owners have since used the plans and extended the property.

 

Helen Brunskill worked in the capacity of ‘Team Leader’ managing architectural and engineering teams to provide design solutions and progress design to the completion of Riba stage D and E for three underground stations enhanced refurbishment projects.

These were complex design projects and Helen provided a professional client interface ensuring quality was paramount at all times, and as a design priority; that interfacing of the various design disciplines and architects was managed to provide a full integrated design solution.

 

I will tell all my friends that if they are looking for an architect with empathy and integrity they should give Brunskill Design a call.

 

Thank you very much for presenting the results of your architectural feasibility study on our property. Having never used a real architect before I was interested to see what you would propose to do with our existing plans with which we weren’t very happy.

To start with you asked a lot of questions which gave us the confidence that you understood what we were looking for – without expecting us to know the answers.

The study you produced was truly amazing and we would never have thought of it. Now I am beginning to understand why I need an architect. You provided great value and we were happy to pay your fees.

 

“Design reflects the preoccupations of every era – the Victorians romanticised the past and endeavoured, often with considerable success, to incorporate  technological advance within historicist structures. Moderns, like Le Corbusier, strove for rationality and tried to transform society. Sometimes this worked – but tower blocks – a modernist legacy – were not the answer to urban living. Ultimately, order transcends the manners of the times and individual cultures. Minimalism can be seen, however, not so much as an affectation, but as a form of politeness and discretion. Eras pass swiftly. Lack of pomposity and affectation – and above all modesty – characterise the best design”.

Helen Brunskill possesses each of these qualities and I have no hesitation in recommending her Architectural Services and Design skills.

 

To Brunskill Design Team

You’ve done an absolutely cracking job here and thanks so much for all your hard work.