Design

Design

We will develop a detailed solution for your approval and show you how your dreams can become reality

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Based at Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, we are a ‘one-stop shop’ providing Architectural Design, Planning Advice, Project Management and Construction all under one roof.

Design and Management team

We only work with trusted, highly skilled, local building contractors, to ensure we deliver your project to the highest standards

James Probert

Director - Head of Technical Design
Seamlessly blending modern technology with great aesthetics to deliver homes that just 'work'.

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Dave Mowle

Director - Designer and Operations Manager
As Oakenstone’s lead designer and value engineer, Dave will often be your first point of contact. Some say he looks familiar

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Richard Bradbury

Architect
Combining Richard’s RIBA chartered architectural practice with our design-led process, has added a powerful extra dimension to our team.

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Marcus Bell

Finishing
co-ordinator
Marcus is affectionately known as, The Finisher which may sound brutal but as he puts it, he gets to do all the pretty things; everything from plastering onwards is Marcus’ domain.

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Pete Newberry

Operations and Administration Support
Pete is the first point of contact for any client calling the office and runs the day-to-day administration of the office .

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Hero

Office Security
Hero spends most of her time milling about the office. All visitors are more than welcome to accept the challenge of trying to pull the tennis ball out of her mouth.

Project Stages

 

First Meeting (Free of charge)

YOU tell us what your project must deliver, what you would like in addition and what you think you can’t afford. We can give you an instant scale of cost and offer advice on the impact on your property value. As designers, we will typically be able to see design options and instantly assess potential ways to fit all your requirements against guideline budgets. This meeting is always free of charge.

Feasibility Study

Once you have engaged us, we will do an initial survey of the property and prepare one or more initial options drawn to scale together with some associated costs options. We will also advise on planning and building regulation requirements and any other potential costs or issues that might arise. For example: party wall agreements, highways considerations and so on.

You can then choose whichever design option offers the best balance between your wish-list and your budget. Often at this stage it is a combination of elements from two or more options, in which case we can advise on how best these can be combined. This delivers a concept design that has been cost assessed and established as feasible, satisfying your requirements and appropriate for the property and location.

Design Development

The Feasibility Study ensures the Design phase of the project sets off on the right track from the start. Layout drawings and initial sketches now need to be developed either for the planning application process and/or for construction and building regulation purposes. As we develop the design detail we can also provide more accurate costings.

As experienced builders, we guide the design detail down more economic paths rather than those often chosen by architects. Thoughtful and informed construction design at this stage invariably pays off with either a reduced cost or more construction for the same budget.

Teamwork and communication 

Once we have agreed a final design we will sign you up to ‘Teamwork’ which is our online project management portal and this allows you to keep track of your project throughout the development and construction process.

Teamwork – Our Project Management tool

We prioritise communication to keep stress to a minimum, to maximise efficiency and to enable you to monitor the progress of your project. It is immediately accessible and easy to use.

Teamwork allows you to keep up to date on project news from planning permission applications to team schedules right down to the details like your choice of kitchen tile.

Build

Our experienced team of builders understand just how important it is for you to have confidence in us and our work process. We know this is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about creating a home.

We understand that having building work done in the place you are also living in can be challenging. Our workmen are considerate, honest and committed to delivering the best results. Most of our recommendations come from client referrals or via Trusted Trader.

"Our passion is bringing harmony between the old and the new. We relish the process of making the best of the past, giving it a fresh life and integrating it with the benefits of modern materials, methods and technology."
James Probert
Director, OakenStone

Frequently asked questions

Will I also need an architect?

Our team of experienced designers include fully qualified RIBA architects so we can tailor our service and its cost to suit every project -  the full Architectural Design service with the added value that we will see it through to the finished construction.

What sort of budgets do you work with?

Our projects have budgets starting in the region of £100,000. Some of our larger housing projects are in the multi-million pound. If you are looking at a smaller project, such as a bathroom redesign, then we're probably not going to be the best fit for you.

Why should we choose OakenStone?

Because our team will take personal expert care of your project from the day you first talk to us until the time you have settled into your newly built or improved home. View our short film explaining why people have chosen us. 

How do I find out more?

Just get in touch with us to arrange a free consultation with Dave Mowle at your home. He will be talk you through the various design, planning, budgetry and construction issues that need to be considered.

Previous PRojects

A New Build in an Old Quarry

A gallery of images charting the journey of this fantastic build, from breaking ground and undertaking huge excavations, to the highest quality finishing and detailing. The result was an impressive High-Performance, Low-Carbon Home.

Swallowtail Barn, Kniveton

Swallowtail Barn A super-efficient Low carbon barn Conversion Oakenstone Design Planning Build worked closely with the clients to create this truly special home, nestled in a spectacular corner of the Derbyshire Dales.  Ground Source heating connected to heat pumptechnology and a super-insulated, airtight building mean this home requires minimal additional heating yet provides a comfortable and cosy environment for the whole family, all year round.Location:  Derbyshire DalesProject:  Low Carbon Barn Conversion There isn’t an inch of space that we don’t use every…

Parsonage Terrace, Bakewell

Our client had initially been told that her attic did not have the required height to create a loft conversion as she explained when she first contacted us. On our first consultation visit we could see the problem but also a clear solution.

Cavendish

Our initial brief was a kitchen extension but at the client's request this grew into a much larger project that included the relocation of the main entrance to create a grand hallway, a hand-made kitchen, underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and a modern extension.

Arrange a site visit

Book a FREE initial consultation with Dave Mowle