Here's everything that kept us busy throughout this action-packed month...

Project Completions & Progress

Ashbourne Retreat Nears the Finish Line
‍We're thrilled to report that Ashbourne Retreat's outdoor hydropool is officially in!

After months of planning and careful installation, seeing this luxury addition come together has been incredibly satisfying. The rest of the outdoor space is coming along beautifully too, complete with outdoor sauna room and shower area - we can't wait to share the full transformation very soon.

Belmont Home Renovation Handover
‍One of our favorite moments this month was handing over the completed Belmont refurbishment to our lovely clients.

This comprehensive internal renovation of a 3-bedroom terrace house in Stoke-on-Trent included everything from full rewiring to a stunning new kitchen.

Trinity Extension is Nearly Complete
‍The Trinity extension is so close to completion we can almost taste it! With just decorating left to go, this project showcases how thoughtful design can transform family living. The anticipation is building for the final reveal for our lovely clients!

Planning Wins & New Beginnings

Double Planning Success
‍May brought fantastic news with planning permission granted for not one, but two exciting projects!
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Acorn Cottage (a 200-year-old Staffordshire cottage) received approval, followed by Roberta's L-shaped side-extension in Newcastle-under-Lyme. These approvals mean we can move forward with creating more beautiful family spaces across Staffordshire.

Glasgow Project Moves Forward
‍We had a positive pre-application meeting for our Glasgow church project 'Fellowship Village', marking an exciting step into new territory.

New Project Pipeline
‍Behind the scenes, we've been preparing for three exciting new projects in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cheddleton, and Ashbourne. Each brings unique challenges and opportunities - exactly the kind of variety that keeps our work interesting!

Willow Barn Begins
‍The Willow Barn extension and renovation project officially started this month. This adaptation will create a private, fully accessible wing for our clients' elderly parents, including bedroom, wet room, kitchenette, lounge, and sunroom.

Industry Events & Learning

FMB & JCB Event
‍May took us to some fantastic industry events, starting with the FMB event where we had the opportunity to ride JCB's biggest digger at JCB Headquarters in Staffordshire!

FMB Regional Awards
‍We enjoyed a sunny trip to Newcastle for the FMB Regional Awards ceremony. These events are always inspiring, celebrating excellence across our industry and providing great networking opportunities with fellow professionals.

AI in Practice Summit
‍The AI in Practice Summit at RIBA HQ in London provided fascinating insights into how artificial intelligence is beginning to influence architectural practice. Staying ahead of technological developments is crucial for delivering innovative solutions to our clients.

Professional Development
‍We invested time in learning about Sales Psychology and DISC Profiling at an excellent workshop run by Staffordshire Growth Hub. Understanding different communication styles and psychological approaches helps us better serve our clients and work more effectively as a team.

Personal Milestones

Finlay's Achievement
‍Huge congratulations to our Architectural Assistant Finlay, who officially finished studying at the University of Staffordshire this month! Watching team members achieve their educational goals while contributing to real projects has been incredibly rewarding. Finlay's journey from student to qualified professional represents exactly the kind of growth we love to support.

Mental Health Awareness
‍During Mental Health Awareness Week, we took time to enjoy our new book, purchased at RIBA bookshop during our trip to London - a great read that provided both relaxation and valuable insights.

Behind the Scenes Moments

Future Presenter in Training
‍One of our most entertaining moments involved shooting content on-site with a very enthusiastic young future presenter, our very own Apollon! George Clarke might want to watch out - the next generation is already learning the trade and showing impressive confidence on camera.

Team Growth
‍We welcomed Mark as our new Site Manager this month! While not pictured in our roundup, Mark has already made a significant impact, and we're excited about the expertise he brings to our growing team.

Looking Ahead

As we move into June, we're carrying forward all that momentum from May. With Ashbourne Retreat nearing completion, Trinity ready for final decorating, and new projects beginning, the pipeline looks incredibly exciting!

The planning approvals for Acorn Cottage and Roberta mean we'll soon be breaking ground on fresh spaces, while our growing team ensures we can deliver the quality and service our clients expect.

Here's to June bringing even more opportunities to create beautiful, functional spaces for Staffordshire families!

Want to stay updated on our latest projects and milestones? Follow our journey over on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes content.

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