Project : HIMITSU (BAKO) HOUSE
Date : 2022/23
Project cost : £ undisclosed
Client Comments
Dear Glen and Richard
Thank you for the warm welcome at your studio yesterday. We are blown away by your design.
We had high expectations because we have seen your work, but we did not expect to be so overwhelmed by the beauty of a building. You seemed to have read our minds and to have put into the Himitsu House all that we desire from the space we will inhabit.
The Planthroposcene - we ideally want to foster and prioritise this way of living, the interdependence of plants and us. Healthy air, nature sounds and visuals and the house pulls all of that inside. It is important to us to adopt this way of life and you have achieved that in a beautiful way.
Rather than having to bring in lots of pots, you have cleverly created areas of the floor into plantable spaces.
The walled vegetable garden is a wonderful example. The living roofs, the growing walls and the atrium with the space for a tree.
The courtyards both inner and outer give us the opportunity to grow oxygenating plants incorporated into our day to day living.
And then there is the layout, flowing, elegant and full of surprises.
The wall at the top of the stairway, both practical in that it’s a place for cupboards but the aesthetic unveiling of the view, so clever. Such a great way to live, I know we will never tire of this house.
We love the steps up from the first floor to the very top of the house and we will use that for yoga, for painting and many other great things. It’s sort of like the best chapter of all to one day be able to live in the Himitsu House.
The reflective pool with the stepping stones is something we absolutely love too. The materials you have proposed are spot on.
The open roof courtyard outside the studio could be another area to grow vegetables even if it required a glass roof to keep the plants as a glass house would. The renders and walk through videos from various angles really brought it all to life - simply amazed how you did that!
We are incredibly happy and appreciative.
Thank you
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Project : THE TREEHOUSE
Date : 2022/2023 Due to complete Autumn 2023
Project cost : £400,000 +
Client comments
Well what can I say, the house that Glen has designed for us is out of this world. We wanted to find an architect that would spend time on our project and plans, get to know the area, get to know us and get to know the plot. We wanted an architect to design a timeless and unique property that fits in perfectly in to the surrounding landscape, we definitely found that and more in Glen Thomas Architecture. Instead of taking a few photos and a week later coming back with a design, Glen’s approach is totally different - He takes his time, creates sketches, comes up with various different ideas and options to consider, spends time researching different materials that can be used for the project and much more.
Its been a fantastic experience, and we’ve been on a journey to get to our final design but we have enjoyed every single minute of it. Glen has gone above and beyond to find a design that is perfect for our young family.
A complete gentleman, very professional and a pleasure to work with. We are delighted that we picked Glen to design our family home. We realised throughout the process just how important it is to pick the right Architect. He has to be the best Architect in the Wales by a long mile, and would be right up there with one of the best in the UK for sure. We’ve used 2-3 other Architects in previous projects and Glen and his team are on a different level completely.
Thanks for all your work Glen.
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Project : THE DANCING HOUSE (New build contemporary house in Monmouthshire)
Date : Construction completed May 2023
Project cost : £450,000 +
Client comments
“Our goal was to find an architect that was able to design an innovative and contemporary house. We researched lots of architects in our area and I'm delighted to say that Glen has met our expectations and more. He has been forthcoming with ideas and open to suggestions - it has been a real collaborative process.
Glen's calm and considered approach has allowed us to explore ideas and come up with a build that is state-of-the-art and original. Further, having access via Glen to a Quantity Surveyor has been hugely beneficial and helped ensure that the projected build costs stay within budget.
This has been a first house build and it has been a pleasure working with Glen and his Team to help guide us down the right path and design a property that we are both thrilled with.”
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Project : STONEfold, Cardff
Date : Sept 2020
Project cost : £ private
Client comments
“Our property is 300 years old and we wanted to enhance it by adding a more contemporary two storey rear extension.
After initial research we engaged with another reputable architect but we were left unexcited with the initial design. We then discovered Glen's projects and previous designs and were instantly hooked.
Upon first meeting Glen it was clear that this was the perfect fit! Apart from being a genuinely nice guy who is approachable and very responsive, Glen and Richard spent time with us to understand our needs as a family and how we will use our home. Glen has considered the surrounding environment and been sensitive down to the positioning of key furniture and the flow of traffic in the space. I also trust his taste and perspective.
The pricing structure is clear and transparent from the start and we are only in concept stages but we are over the moon so far and are excited to progress the design. Glen's presentation was extremely professional and highly personal and bespoke and included nice touches such as pictures of our chickens.
Glen's vision has forced us to think out of the box and consider designs that, without Glens input, we would have never envisaged. At the same time Glen is very customer led and presented toned down compromises as options. However we feel that Glen has very tastefully merged the old and the new and we are taking a leap of faith and I cannot recommend him enough from my experience to date. I realise from my experience that the appointing of a Architect that is on your wave length and the right fit is so fundamental to the success of your project that shouldn’t be overlooked considering the time and investment with the build.
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Project : THE RUSTED STEEL HOUSE, TAFFS WELL
Date : Due to complete June 2023
Project cost : £150,000 +
Client comments
Glen is considered and creative. His big ideas are always backed up with practicality and liveability first. We were presented with lots of different options for our project, with huge flexibility around picking preferred elements from the different treatments. We couldn't recommend Glen and his team highly enough
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Project : BLACKSteel HOUSE, Aberdare
Date : Due to complete 2023
Project cost : £250,000 +
Client comments
Working with an architect has been a new experience for us. When we decided to renovate and extend our 18 century farmhouse with a modern extension we knew we needed someone with the right vision and understanding who could realise what has been a dream for us.
After speaking to several architects we immediately knew it would be Glen's practice. He instantly knew what we were trying to achieve and has guided us through what can be a daunting process with patience and calm. he has encouraged us to look and consider other aspects that we wouldn't have previously thought of and it has been an exciting and ever evolving process of exploring different options and designs. Glen has been superb in managing our expectations and needs as a family we have really enjoyed the design process. After having some concept pictures done we are really excited about the next stage.
We are really happy with Glen and cannot recommend him highly enough.
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Project : THE GLASSHOUSE, Cardiff
Date : March 2016 - Sept 2019
Project cost : £400,000 +
Client comments
"Glen was a fantastic person to work with from the start. He has the right balance of design concept/ideology agenda and understanding/consideration of client needs and imagination. For our project, he successfully and harmoniously brought together preservation of traditional elements and creation of modern design. His sensitivity and calm nature was crucial in bringing our challenging project to fruition. We have no qualms in highly recommending him."
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Project : THE STATION HOUSES, East Aberthaw, Vale Of Glamorgan
Date : March 2018
Client comments
"I used Glen Thomas architecture on two new four bedroom detached houses in East Aberthaw in the Vale of Glamorgan. I was looking for a modern contemporary look in a conservation area. I've got to say it was an absolute pleasure working with Glen. His vision and design concepts were of a high standard from the start. His manner in dealing with the pre application and dealing with what was a difficult planning process to get the approval we wanted was second to none. I have worked with a lot of architects in South Wales and I've got nothing but praise for the communication and professional manner in how Glen has dealt with all our needs."
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Project : TREBOETH HOUSE, Swansea
Date : March 2017 - Present
Client comments
"My wife and I were looking to do a complete renovation of our 3 bedroom family home so the choice of architect would be one of the most important decisions we would make. Glen Thomas was recommended to us through a friend of a friend, and from the first meeting with Glen we all just clicked. We had some initial ideas on what we wanted to do our home, but Glen took them to quite frankly another level. His design ideas not only had the wow factor, but were practical and ensured that we would get the most out of our family home. Glen guided us through the planning hurdles, providing detailed plans, liaising with the (extremely frustrating) local planning department and eventually obtaining planning permission. Glen was also integral in the selection of the main contractor. His extensive experience in the business helped us understand the cost of the project, from the main building structure to kitchen design and tiles for the bathrooms. Throughout the construction process, Glen was always on hand to give sound advice and liaise with the main and subcontractors, and he approached every problem in a thorough and professional manner. Over the past few months my wife and I have got to know Glen really well, and he's not only a wonderfully talented architect but a really top bloke, and without hesitation I would recommend him to any of my friends and family."
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Project : OLDWAY HOUSES, Bishopston, Swansea
Date : February 2017
Client comments
"Glen Thomas architecture provides an excellent design and architectural service. In recent years we have used Glen on numerous occasions and he never fails to understand the brief. I'm always pleased by his innovative design and understanding, which always leads to a first class finish. . We are currently in the process of building three of Glens designs, which cater to a modern way of living but still retain just enough of a traditional style. However if modern is what you are looking for, they've got that covered too. I always highly recommend Glen Thomas architecture
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Project : HOME OFFICE / STUDIO, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan
Date : December 2017 - present
Project cost : £50,000 +
Client comments
"From starting our garage conversion and extension we always knew we wanted to build something that was modern/contemporary but at the same time we didn’t want it to look out of place within the area. We researched a lot of architects in Penarth and the South Wales area and Glen immediately stood out due to awards on his previous designs and the clear passion he has for well designed buildings.
He started the process with a meeting to gather our requirements and understand our ideas. He took these and produced three different concepts - we then chose one to develop further, incorporating a couple of ideas from another. Glen listened to our feedback and developed the concept further, making use of 3D diagrams to help us visualise how it would look. He made sure the designs would meet our needs of how we wished to use the extension as well as making sure it would look good.
Once the final design was agreed upon he then proceeded with the detailed diagrams for planning and submitted to the planning department for approval. At every stage, Glen has been very responsive to emails and has kept us informed of how things are proceeding with the planners.
It goes without saying that we are very happy with the final design and would highly recommend Glen"