A few words from Lee Frere about our practice:
I started working for the John Alderton Partnership when I was 14, initially making lots of coffee and getting light-headed in the ammonia-drenched print room. But, I was also given regular stints at the drawing board, honing a few drawing skills (pre-computer) and perhaps learning a little about drains and footings.
John Alderton had established the practice in 1965 (we turned sixty this year!) and when I joined, in 1984, I worked under the tutelage of John, but also in a team with Trevor Lang (my close friend and, since 2000, my business partner).
John Alderton kindly sponsored me some much-appreciated beer money through my 6 years of university, but the 1990s recession took hold just as I was about to return to the practice full time. So, I made my way to London, seeking to gain some practical learning in a large practice and worked at Seifert Architects for six years. During that time, I was fortunate to work on a number very large projects, for clients such as NatWest Bank, the Accor Hotel Group and the BBC. However, I missed the variety of projects that can only come through a smaller, less-corporate practice, so after gaining my professional qualification, Trevor and I formed a plan to go into business together. In 2000, as John Alderton reached retirement, we started J.A.P Architects.
We have built our practice to comprise a team of eight, smart and highly talented, individuals (see below) and in 2020, during lock-down, we finally got to build our new office in the heart of Clare.
We are privileged to work on a very broad range of projects, from small (but often life-changing) extensions and outstanding ‘forever homes’ for private clients, to bespoke residential developments, shops, offices & leisure uses, Master Plans and commercial centres. We also undertake a lot of work involving listed buildings and conservation areas.
What we do isn’t easy — legislation is always changing, planning authorities can have ‘off days’ and building work gets more and more expensive. But, we love what we do and many have even said we’re rather good at it. Fundamentally, if we can deliver all that the client needs and longs for, while also perhaps adding just a little layer of delight, then we are happy.
We are a highly motivated team and we produce designs that balance the requirements of the client’s brief, budgets and planning restrictions. We like to work in a close partnership with enthusiastic clients and are lucky to have some very good relationships with local authorities and building contractors, as well as working with some excellent third-party consultants…and we’ve also had the honour of winning a handful of prizes!
I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished in the last twenty-five years and our whole team have been at the heart of it. Our printing processes today might not require ammonia, but I do still try to pull my weight with the rounds of coffee.
This is our team who, from left to right (excluding the pooches) are:
Paul Roach: Senior Technician
“Give this tricky one to Paul”, you will often hear us say. Probably our safest, most meticulous pair of hands, with well over thirty years of experience at J.A.P Architects working on post-planning project phases and running jobs on site. Nothing gets missed; everything is covered in painstaking detail to ensure any on-site surprises are kept to an absolute minimum. His comprehensive résumé also includes an ‘interesting’ impression of Clint Eastwood, though he only consents to doing it while at his desk.
Zach Baldwin: Architectural Assistant
Zach joined us an apprentice, but soon developed a key niche in the office as our principal, measured-building surveyor. He was instrumental in us investing in the very latest laser-survey kit, which he uses to produce presentation-level drawings of existing buildings. Zach also assists with all manner of tasks within the design team and is our chief ‘tech-guy’; our ‘go-to’ when Teams and Zoom are malfunctioning.
Trevor Lang: Surveyor, Technician and Partner
Trevor joined J.A.P Architects from school in the 1980s. He has been producing first-rate technical drawing & specification packages ever since and has worked on thousands of projects of all types. Trevor’s technical knowledge is unrivalled and his ability to ‘cut to the chase’ when discussing projects with building contractors makes them his biggest fan. He became a partner in 1991 and allowed me to join him in 2000, since when we have grown a well-respected little business. Trevor plays the bass guitar in, what some in the 80s described as, ‘a band’ and he is more than happy to keep the office in Clare, now that there is a top-notch vinyl shop on the High Street.
Lois Revill: Architectural Designer
Joining us in 2022, Lois is our latest team member and has worked in our industry since she was doing her GCSEs over twenty years ago. She has broad experience of various project types and is our in-house specialist in picking apart planning legislation and writing reports that get projects ‘across the line’. Lois is always involved in multiple projects and is superb at client-liaison. Also, should the need arise, Lois can dismantle and reassemble (and possibly race) a motorcycle!
Claire Ebeling: Office Manager
Claire has been with us since 2012. We might all be something of a shambles if we didn’t have Claire, who expertly runs our office and brings calm to the chaos. She does everything, from the accounts, reports and HR, to keeping us orderly and making sure we eat sufficient amounts of cake. Every good office should have a Claire (but they can’t have ours!).
Mike Chapman: Senior Technician
Mike has been with us since he was a teenager and has well over twenty years experience making sure our proposals can be built and will stay standing up. Mike produces highly detailed construction drawings and knows the Building Regulations inside-out (we rarely hear from a building contractor on site scratching their head). He can also turn his hand to design drawings, but prefers to be knee-deep in the technical nuts and bolts.
Aaron Cornell: Architectural Designer
Aaron has been with us since 2011 and is possibly the fastest and most productive practitioner on the planet! Very little phases him and he competently produces everything from building surveys, site analyses & Permitted Development studies, to detailed designs, 3D visualisations and presentation drawings. He’s also a key part of our tech-support (he is the ‘gadget-finder’) and, for some reason, he supports Arsenal.
Lee Frere: Architect & Partner
I just work here!
(supporting us in the photo above are Bowie, Barney and Sparky, three of our nine-pooch collective)